Snacks from the gas station? “I’m not sure, but even if they are, we’ll still get some.”
Salem nods, then drops his attention to his lap. Everyone is silent, so I put the truck in reverse, back out of the parking lot, and head out onto the highway.
“They’reasleep,”Arlosays,turning around to face the back seat again.
In the rearview mirror, I can barely make out the top of Nora’s head resting against the window. Salem has his head tipped backon the seat. His mouth is slightly open, and the singular bag of chips he picked out is pressed to his chest like someone might take it away from him if he doesn’t keep it close.
I tried to convince him to get more. That he could have anything he wanted and that single bag of chips was all he got, claiming it was more than enough. More than enough for a long car ride? I don’t know about all that, but it wasn’t worth arguing over. We’ll get there in time.
“They’ve had a long few weeks, I’d say.”
Arlo snorts. “Long year.”
Given the way Salem is clinging to that bag of chips, I’d say it’s been a long lifetime. Longer and harder than anyone should have to endure.
I take Arlo’s hand, holding it in my lap. “Why don’t you try to nap some, baby boy? It’s a long drive back home, and you’re still recovering.”
“What about you?”
“I’m okay. I promise. If I need you to take over for me, I’ll wake you up. I’m used to long shifts.”
“That’s true enough,” Arlo says, sighing.
The seatbelt signal on my dash dings as Arlo unbuckles and moves into the middle seat before buckling up again. His head lands on my shoulder. “Can I rest here?”
“Anytime, baby boy.” Turning, I press a kiss to his head. “Get some rest.”
“Okay, baby,” he whispers, and my heart flutters. Fuck, that’ll never get old. “Thank you for… all this.”
“No. Thankyoufor all this. I love you.”
Arlo sighs. “I love you too. I can’t wait to be home. I can’t wait to show the kids their rooms. I just can’t wait.”
“Me neither, baby boy.”
This is just the beginning. We have so much ahead of us still. Arlo Montgomery changed my entire life by waltzing into it withhis beautiful eyes and his humor and his tenacity and his fire. And then he changed it all over again. With the two sleeping kids in the back seat.
I glance at them just in time to watch Nora slump to her other side, pressing her head to Salem’s shoulder. He doesn’t stir, and Nora’s eyes never open.
They feel safe. They feel safe with me and with each other. And I love that more than words could ever explain.
Chapter 23
Arlo
IwakeuptoJasper squeezing my leg. I sit up straight, trying to get my bearings.
“Hey, baby boy,” he whispers. “Nora has to go potty.”
We’re sitting in a gas station parking lot, the lights almost blinding compared to the dark night sky.
“Okay,” I croak out. “Come on, Nor.”
I climb out of the truck on wobbly legs. Napping is ass. I hate it. At least when it’s like this. I like it so much better when I don’t wake up in another dimension.
Nora gets out of the truck, slipping her hand into mine as I yawn so hard my jaw cracks. Salem jumps down after her, looking as exhausted as I feel. “We’ll be home soon, kiddo,” I say, yawning again around the words.
Jasper’s door shuts, and then he locks the truck. Rounding the front of it, he smiles at us like he’s not the least bit tired. “If everyone else is going in, I am too.”
