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Marcus didn’t live that far from the lake, we had only driven about five minutes when we pulled into the driveway of a modest sized home.
Sarah had woken up on the ride home and when she got out of the car, she came running to Trace. He immediately bent down so that he was on her eyelevel.
“What is it princess?” He asked.
“Will you read me a story? Mommy normally reads to me, but I want you to,” she twisted her shirt between her small fingers, looking bashfully at the ground as she waited for his reply.
“Sure,” Trace smiled, “as long as that’s okay with your mommy and daddy.”
“Thank you!” She hugged him tightly.
Marcus held the front door open and Sarah went running inside.
Trace grabbed our bags, refusing to let me carry mine.
“The guestroom’s this way,” Rebecca smiled pleasantly, leading us past a homey family room and nice kitchen. Kids toys were scattered about. “I’m sorry for the mess,” she apologized. “I can never get them to put their toys away, and the minute I clean them up they drag another fifty out.” She stopped in front of a door at the back of the house and opened it. “It’s not much,” she smiled. “But it’s clean and there’s an attached bathroom.”
“Thank you so much for opening your home to us. Most people wouldn’t do that,” I hugged her.
“It’s not a problem, honestly.” Looking at Trace, she added, “You don’t need to read Sarah a story. I know she can be pushy.”
“I want to,” Trace said quickly.
“Are you sure?” Rebecca asked hesitantly.
“Positive,” Trace nodded.
“Well…okay then,” she smiled, heading back towards the kitchen. “I’ll get her ready for bed. There’s shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower. Feel free to use it.”
I stepped into the bedroom and Trace closed the door. The carpet was plush under my feet and the room smelled of fresh linen, courtesy of one of those plug-in outlet things.
I couldn’t believe we’d lucked out in meeting Marcus…even if I did end up jumping off a bridge in the process.
“You can shower first,” I told him, sitting on the edge of the bed. The mattress was nice and soft, nothing like the rock we’d slept on last night.
“Or,” he bent down and pressed his forehead against mine, “we could shower together.”
“Nice try, but we’re in someone else’s house.”
“I’ll be a good boy, I promise,” he coaxed.
“Mhmm, I’ll believe that when…well, never,” I smiled.
“Thanks for believing in me,” he released my cheeks and backed towards the bathroom. “I’m glad you have so much faith in me.”
I tossed one of the pillows from the bed at him.
“Oooh, you want a pillow fight?” He waggled his brows.
“No, I’d like for you to shower so that I can. I smell gross,” I frowned.
He wrinkled his nose playfully. “Is it you that I’ve been smelling?”
“Stop it,” I rolled my eyes, falling back on the bed.
He chuckled as he gathered something to change into. “It’s a legitimate question,” he started for the bathroom.
“Don’t act like you don’t smell either,” I grumbled.
