Page 65 of His Brown-Eyed Girl

“Stop staring at my boobs and tell me why you’re here so early. Is everything okay with the kids?” She crossed her arms over her bosom but smiled.

Busted.

“Yeah, they’re all on the mend. About to take the boys to school and wondered if Aunt Flora might go over and stay with Charlotte. She’s still sleeping and I didn’t want to wake her.”

“Let me grab my robe and I’ll go over. Flora’s still in bed. She’s been sneaking vodka every night before bed. Think she’s been having some trouble sleeping. Give me a sec. Grab some coffee if you want.”

Lucas shuffled into the kitchen, closing the door so he let no more cool air inside as Addy padded barefoot out of the kitchen.

She had nice feet, something he’d failed to notice in the moonlight nights ago. But he’d been busy with other delightful parts.

Grabbing a mug from the cabinet, he poured himself a cup and stood sipping, enjoying the quiet of the house. No arguing, no screeching, and thankfully, no retching. Just brilliant silence.

“Okay, I’m ready,” Addy said, entering the kitchen in a pair of yoga pants and sweatshirt. Her face was bare of makeup and her hair was in a low ponytail. She looked about as glamorous as a wet cat, but somehow it made her all the more desirable. He loved how comfortable she felt around him, loved how much more he wanted her when she was naturally Addy.

“Wait,” he said, scooping an arm about her waist and spinning her toward him. “A kiss before I go.”

He didn’t wait for permission, just lowered his head and stole a kiss. She tasted warm and toothpasty. She relaxed against him and kissed him back.

He broke the kiss and looked down at her glistening lips. “You just made my morning, lady.”

“Hope I don’t get the stomach virus.”

“If you get it, that means I have it. We can throw up together.”

“How romantic.”

He laughed. “I’m in the clear which is good because I got plans for you this weekend, lady.”

Addy lifted herself on her toes and kissed one of his dimples. “I’ve decided to embrace the opportunity, Lucas.”

The horn honking next door was the only thing that could tear him away from her. “Guess I better get those monsters to school before Chris decides to try his hand at driving. Wouldn’t put it past him.”

“He’s a daredevil.”

“That’s putting it mildly,” Lucas said, holding the door for her so she could slide by and head to his brother’s house. “Thanks for helping, Addy.”

She saluted. “That’s what neighbors are for.”

Addy rushed into the Fleur De Lis with a folder of bills that needed paying, a bag of bay leaves, and the FedEx box of wire that had been mistakenly delivered to her home address. She dropped the box and exhaled. “Whew, that was heavy.”

Shelia turned and grabbed the scissors, starting on the box. “Wondered where you were. You’re never late.”

“I volunteered to watch the little girl next door so Lucas could take the boys to school. There was a wreck on Earhart Expressway and he had to reroute. Then Charlotte pitched a fit because I had to leave. Man, kids are hard.”

“I wish I’d had known,” Shelia said her voice soft in the quiet.

Addy squeezed her hand. “I know you do.”

“So those kids are better?”

“Yeah, I think poor old Lucas got more than he bargained for when he sent Courtney’s cousin away. Lucas isn’t warm and fuzzy, but he’s competent. You should have seen his procedure for dealing with the sick kids—gloves, mask, Lysol, and a schedule of medicine and hydration. Plus he actually rocked Charlotte to sleep.”

Shelia clasped her heart. “If you don’t keep him, give me his phone number. Nothing I’m a bigger sucker for than a man rocking a sleeping baby… except maybe a passel of kittens.”

Today Shelia wore a wig with looping black curls down her back. Big fluorescent earrings matched her sweater and dangled to her shoulders. Her stretch pants were denim and the turquoise ballet slippers looked somehow right with the flashy duds. Addy wished she had the balls to pull of the same look. For the first time in a long time, she wanted to pull out clothes with color. Dressing in something other than black and gray was suddenly desirable.

She shook her head.

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