AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Max wore a scowl on his face and explained, “I got a blister, and it popped.” He showed me his right hand, and sure enough between his thumb and index finger there was puss oozing out of what was once a blister.
“You'll be all right, Max,” Captain Ray said. “You did great out there. You're just not used to yard work. You’ll get the hang of it. I think you should stop for now.”
“Ah, man!” Max whined. “Come on, I can still help. It’s just a blister.”
“No, you’re done for the day. Thank you for helping.”
“But…”
“Max,” I warned. “That’s enough. Go take a shower. Wash off the blister while you’re in there. It’s going to hurt, but I need you to wash it with warm soapy water and rinse it off good. Okay?”
He pouted and continued to scowl at the same time. He stomped his way into the bathroom and slammed the door shut.
“He did great,” the captain said.
“Thank you,” I said, “for clearing the brush and for including him. It means a lot.”
“Well, I’d hate to see anything bad happen to your home or family. Not a problem.”
“Would you guys like to stay for lunch? I can run to the store and pick up stuff to make hamburgers or hot dogs. Chips? Beer?” My heart was racing. He was still standing out on the patio, and I was still inside. I felt my entire body tighten from being so close to him. Was it my imagination, or was he leaning toward me? I inhaled the scent of him. He was sweating, but I could smell soap on him and… just… mmm… man.
“Seriously, Mom. Think Nana and casino,” Kyra mumbled from the breakfast bar, loud enough so that I could hear.
But Captain Ray had a sparkle in his eye. It can’t just be me and my I-haven’t-had-sex-in-two-years self. Geez, has it really been two years?
“I’d love to stay for lunch, and I’m sure the guys would, too, but we all have other commitments today. We should be done within the hour. We are going to remove fifty feet. Is that okay with you?”
“Oh, yes. Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome. We will go out the same way we came in through your side gate here.”
“Okay.”
He took a few steps back, then said, “If I don’t talk to you before we leave, have a nice weekend.”
“You, too,” I said. I felt rejected and disappointed. I wanted to get to know him better, but there was no reason for him to stay longer.
Chapter Three
The rest of Saturday went by in a blur of shopping for Kyra’s dance recital costume and arguing with Max about making faces at his sister whenever she tried on something new.
On Sunday Max had a basketball game. He was in a summer league through the Palm Hills Recreation Center. Kyra was sitting next to me on the bleachers. Thankfully, the courts were indoors where there was working air-conditioning. We were sitting on the top bleachers and leaning our backs against the wall.
“How long is this going to take?” Kyra whined.
“Only about an hour,” I estimated.
Kyra rolled her eyes. She reached into her light-blue mini backpack and pulled out her iPhone and earbuds. Not for the first time, I questioned my parenting skills. Moments like this I wished I hadn’t bought both of the kids phones, but being paranoid and protective—and single—I wanted them to always have a way to reach me. I liked the ability to track where they were at all times. Kyra quickly immersed herself in her own world of music while I watched my son and his team warm up before the game. I was impressed with Max’s willingness and eagerness to play today even with his hand bandaged from the blister.
I was watching Max run up and down the basketball court, dribbling and passing the ball to his teammates, when I saw Captain Ray stroll into the gym. My body tensed, and I sat up straighter. Then I felt a ball of nerves jumbled with sparks begin to tumble and rumble in the pit of my stomach. A gorgeous, petite brunette woman with bigger boobs than me had her arms entwined with his. I growled.
“Mom.” Kyra tapped my knee. When I glanced away from Ray to give my daughter attention, she asked, “Did you actually just growl?”
I covered my mouth from shock. “Did I?” I blinked, waiting for her answer, then explained, “I thought I only thought it.”
Kyra shook her head.
“How could you even hear me? You had earbuds in.”
