AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Daddy’s home!”
Tanner shouted that even before I pushed the door open. He’d glimpsed my car from the window, I was guessing.
With an even bigger smile, I turned the knob and stepped inside. I was immediately attacked by two little bodies, followed by one furry, four-legged one. Our cavapoo, Molly, always wanted in on the action.
“Okay, kids, give Daddy some breathing room,” Sierra said.
She was standing in the doorway that separated the kitchen from the big den where our family spent most of our time. The kids moved away, Tanner running back to his play area and Serenity plopping down on the ground.
Molly didn’t get the memo. She kept jumping up on me until I reached down and petted her head. We tried to train that out of her, but it was so cute, we’d eventually given up.
“Rough day at work?” Sierra asked as I closed the door behind me and removed my jacket, hanging it on the hook next to the door.
I emptied my wallet and keys into the tray next to the coats, then crossed the room to her. I’d looked forward to hugging my wife all day.
“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” I said as I gave her a sweet “hello” kiss and pulled her toward me. When she wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her body to mine, relief washed through my body. We could be living in a tent in the middle of Rosewood Ridge Park, and I’d be happy as long as I had these three with me.
“I’m trying out a new recipe for the retreat center,” Sierra said. “Chicken à la Sierra.”
My eyebrows shot up as I stepped back to look at her. She wore an apron, and it reminded me of the waist apron she’d worn that day on the opposite corner of this floor from where we stood now. She’d worn that and nothing else as I stood behind her, cupping her breasts in my hands?—
I had to shove that thought aside. The last thing I needed was for my body to start revving up right now.
“Chicken à la Sierra,” I said. “I can’t wait to see what that is.”
Sierra was mostly a stay-at-home mom these days, but she’d gotten into baking and cooking lately. And the guests at the retreat center liked her food so much, Ashlynn now paid her to help cater various events. I’d already begun looking into the possibility of upgrading our kitchen when I got time between projects.
I was aiming my body for the kitchen, ready to change clothes, wash my hands, and pitch in to get dinner ready. But some nights, Sierra shook her head and pointed toward the recliner, insisting that I rest while she did all the work.
This was one of those nights. I felt her hand on my arm, and I stopped, turning to face her. She pointed toward the chair.
“I’ll bring you a beer,” she said.
She rose on tiptoe and kissed my cheek before heading back into the kitchen. I turned and watched as Serenity crawled toward the recliner. She’d want to sit in my lap tonight.
“Make that a sweet tea!” I called out to the kitchen.
Then I headed over to the chair, scooped up my toddler, and set her on my lap. I pulled the lever to pop out the recliner and smiled as Serenity let out a giggle.
Who needed a beer to relax? This made me happier than anything I could imagine.
* * *
