Page 33 of Cooper’s Passion

14

“She did what?” Wesley asked, while he wiped little Jacob’s mouth with a clean cloth.

Cooper tossed sliced vegetables into the wok. “She handcuffed me.”

“And you let her?”

Cooper winked at his uncle. “Don’t worry. She made it up to me later.”

“I bet she did. She’s quite the looker. Pretty hot body if you ask me.”

Cooper rolled his eyes. “You shouldn’t even be noticing that.”

“I’m married, not blind. Besides, even if I wanted to make a play for your girl—which I don’t— I wouldn’t have the energy for it. Virginia is a demanding woman.” Wes smirked, and the sparkle in his eyes confirmed that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Yeah, so I hear—every night.”

“Maybe you should have chosen a guestroom that’s further away from our bedroom.”

“With my sensitive hearing, I doubt it would make a difference. Or why do you think Lydia and I moved out from home the moment we could?”

Wes laughed and lifted Jacob out of his high chair. “My big brother was quite the stud when he was human. I shudder to think what he’s capable of now.”

“Thanks for that visual.” Cooper added spices into the wok and tossed the mixture several times.

“Let’s see if I can get this little man to take a nap,” Wesley said.

The door opened, and Anita entered. “Hmm, it smells good in here.”

“Dinner is almost ready,” Cooper replied with a smile at Anita.

“I can set the table if you tell me where everything is,” she offered.

“I’ve got it.” Wesley handed Jacob off to Anita. “Here, hold him for a sec.”

When Anita held the boy a foot away from her, clearly surprised, Cooper shook his head. “Nice handoff, Wes. You could have asked her first.”

Wes shrugged and went to pull plates from the cupboard.

“It’s okay,” Anita claimed, rocking Jacob in her arms now. “I think I remember how it’s done. I was a teenager, when my half-brothers were born.”

A phone suddenly rang, and Wes dug into his pocket and pulled it out.

“Hey, what’s up?” he answered. For a few moments, he listened intently, and Cooper would have probably been able to hear the other side of the conversation had the vent over the stove not been switched on.

“Oh, crap! Wow. No way! I’ll be there shortly.” Wes disconnected the call and looked at him. “You’re not gonna believe this. Charles blew up the lab.”

“Is he all right?” Cooper asked.

Anita gasped. “Is somebody hurt?”

“No, no, he’s fine. But I’ve gotta get over there now.”

“What for?” Cooper asked, his forehead furrowing.

“To gloat. Why else? This is the first time that Charles has blown up the lab. It wasn’t me! Finally, I can prove to him that I’m not the only one who has the occasional little accident.” Wesley already turned toward the door.

“What about Jacob?” Cooper asked.