She cupped his unshaven cheeks and peered into his eyes. “I love every moment with you, even the crazy, painful ones.” Her sweet smile made him smile. “And for the record, we’re doing plenty of screwing. This gal is one happycamper.”
* * *
Alexandra rappedon Colton’sguesthouse door, then stepped inside the warm foyer. “Mom?”
“In here, dear,” calledKimberly.
As Alexandra walked into the cozy living room, her mom pushed herself into a sitting position on the sofa. Brigit’s dog, Mojo, greeted her with a wagging tail and she petted the German Shepherd whose tail thumped on thefloor.
“Your new home is beautiful.” Alexandra hugged hermom.
“It is lovely and I’m relieved Colton is close by if I needhelp.”
Brigit entered, set a serving tray on the coffee table, and offered her future sister-in-law a steaming hot mug of tea. “I’m glad you’rehere.”
“It’s good to see you.” Alexandra took the drink and eased onto thesofa.
Brigit handed her future mother-in-law a small travel mug. “Kimberly, your tea is lukewarm. I didn’t want you to burnyourself.”
She closed her shaking hand around the plastic handle. “Thank you,Brigit.”
After setting the plate of cookies on the table, Brigit snatched a wafer, broke it in half, and gave the larger piece to Mojo. “I’m going to give you two some timetogether.”
“Please stay,” Alexandra said. “I haven’t seen you inforever.”
Brigit hesitated. “I insist,” Kimberlysaid.
With a sweet smile, Brigit sat on the ottoman and brought Alexandra up to speed with the move and the schedule going forward. “The night nurses will continue spending evenings with yourmom.”
“Thank you for taking care of that,” Alexandrasaid.
“My pleasure,” Brigit said. “How’s your new jobgoing?”
Alexandra didn’t want to lie to her mom, but telling her she’d gotten fired would only upset her. “Settling in. Remembering there’s no freeway. It’s abeltway.”
Kimberlylaughed.
Twenty minutes into the visit, her mom’s eyelids drooped and the plastic mug slipped from her hands. After rescuing it, Brigit set it on thetray.
“Would you like to rest for a bit, Mom?” Alexandraasked.
“I’m fine,honey.”
Knock,knock.
The front door opened. “Anyone home?” Coltoncalled.
“C’mon in, son,” Kimberlyreplied.
Though Colton smiled, Alexandra could tell he was stressing. The V between his brows was more pronounced than usual. “My three favoritegirls.”
“Colton, I love the attention, but you were just here,” Kimberlysaid.
“Do you remember AshtonHott?”
“Of course I do,” Kimberly replied with asmile.
“He’s waitingoutside.”
