Page 33 of Pure Abandon

“You should go home. You worked hard today. I think I’ll take Jackson to the park and then we’ll have some of that delicious meal you made for us.” I’m lying. There’s no way I’m eating those little heads.

Carmen appraises me for a moment and then makes her decision. “Yes, Ms. Kathryn. I see you Monday.” She grabs her tote from the closet and slings it around her shoulder.

I watch her walk down the street until she gets to the corner and then gather mine and Jackson’s things to go for a walk ourselves.

Jackson and I take a stroll around the park and stop near a grassy knoll. Grabbing a blanket from under the stroller, I open it and spread it out on the ground. The sun is just about to set, so I take Jackson out of his stroller to let him play on the blanket. I know it’s getting late, but it’s the only time I have my little angel these days. Our nights are our special time.

I stretch out my legs and try to pull the grass off my heels. I should have changed into sneakers before venturing onto the dirt terrain. As I’m scratching dirt off the bottom of my shoe, I hear a woman’s voice.

“Is that Jack?”

I look up to see a blonde woman jogging up the hill. Very blonde and very fit. She looks younger than me, but not by much. Her hair is swung up in a ponytail and her very yellow Nike tank is clinging to her like a second skin. Her shorts are also very short.

Everything about her is very.

Jackson looks up and squeals with recognition. This is very odd.

“I thought I recognized this little guy!” she says, panting and pulling earbuds out of her ears.

I reach over for Jackson and swing him onto my lap. This mama bear is protecting her cub from the platinum lioness. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”

She laughs and places her hands on her knees, still catching her breath. “I’m friends with Jack and his daddy.”

I glare up at her and dart my eyes at the vixen in yellow. “You know Gabe?”

“Oh!” She looks surprised, her gaze settling on my left hand. “You’re his wife?”

I slowly nod my head yes.

“I’m sorry.” She continues. “I didn’t know he was married. You’re so young. I thought you were the babysitter.”

Babysitter would be flattering if I weren’t still wearing my work clothes. In this case, it’s just laughable, and not in a funny way.

Staring blankly at this woman, I appraise her. Blonde, tan, young, and fit. I don’t know her, but clearly my husband and child know her. I look down to see Jackson smiling up. I wish I could telepathically tell him to scowl at her. My little cub is falling prey to the predator.

My mouth finds a way to catch up to my thoughts. “Who are you?”

In the upmost cheerful way she could possibly reply, she says, “I’m Becca!”

Of course she is. Not to judge, but she really doesn’t look like a Maude or an Arlene. She looks like she should have two pompoms in her hands and be doing the splits. Again, I’m not judging. Just observing.

“I’m sorry… Becca?” I stand and gather my blanket and baby.

“Yes, Jack and I see each other every Saturday. Isn’t that right, buddy?” She shines a luminous smile that shows either her skin is too tan or she uses way too many whitening strips.

If Gwen were here, she would tell me to stop judging and make a friend with this woman. I guess I could. She looks friendly enough. A little too friendly, but if Gabriel knows her, then she can’t be that bad.

“Jackson and I are here all the time. Surprised we haven’t run into you before.”

Becca looks up at the setting sun and then back at me, bouncing on her toes to keep moving. “Oh, no, this is an early run for me. I’m usually out here later than this. I like to run with the wolves, you know.”

We live in a nice neighborhood, but a pretty girl like her running at night is not a good idea. “That doesn’t seem safe.”

Becca gives me a half smile. “That’s what Gabriel said. He runs with me sometimes. Keeps the wolves away.”

My body halts for a second at the realization of her words. I don’t want to make assumptions but isn’t it odd for a married man to be running with a pretty blonde? Then again, I’m not a runner so I have no idea what runner’s etiquette is. I lower Jackson into the stroller and buckle him in. “Jackson and I need to go. It’s getting late.”

“Of course. Jack needs his book, bath, and bottle, right?”