Chapter 17

17

Kara

What a whirlwind of an amazing weekend that was. Thankfully, he booked an afternoon flight back to Tennessee so we were able to lie around and be lazy in the hotel before we had to check out and head to the airport.

We didn’t land until nine last night, and when he asked me to come back to his place, there was no way I was going to say no. Here we were, just having spent two full days together, and knowing he wanted me to stay again with him was all my heart needed to solidify that this guy might be the one .

He doesn’t have to work until Thursday, but I need to get the girls, so we have to burst our little bubble we were living in so I can head home and get things situated before I pick them up.

Now that I’m standing outside Katy’s class, I can’t help the huge grin I have on my face, thinking about the last few days.

“Kara!” Katy yells when she sees me standing in her doorway.

I bend down and hold my arms wide open for her to jump in.

When she does, I pick her up and swing her around. “Hello, sweet girl.”

“How was your trip?”

“It was so much fun. I brought you something too.”

Her face lights up. “You did?”

I place her down and hold her hand. “I did. Let’s go get your sister, and then I’ll give them to you when we get to the car.”

She pulls me to walk faster. “Then, let’s go! Let’s go! Time’s a-tickin’!”

I laugh out loud as I allow her to lead me to Lana’s classroom. When we get there, she’s waiting by the door for us to arrive.

Katy runs to her. “Hurry, hurry! We have presents from Kara’s trip in the car!”

Lana has the same reaction as Katy, and they both take off, knowing that I park in the same area every day.

“Wait for me!” I say, trying to hold back my laugh at their excitement. Oh, to be a kid again and feel that rush over something like a present.

They get to the car before I do and stand there, bouncing on their heels, waiting for me to arrive. Once I do, I reach in the front seat and grab the two bags that scream Disneyland all over them.

“You went to Disneyland?” Lana asks in shock.

I grin from ear to ear. “I sure did. And look what I got you both.”

I pull out the same ears Silas put on my head with the veil down the back and place them on each of the girls.

“I love it!” Lana says, twirling around so the veil flows with her movement.

“Me too!” Katy does the same exact thing as her sister.

They both jump in my arms. “Thank you!” they say in unison.

“You’re welcome, sweet girls. Now, let’s get home and get our homework done, and then maybe we can watch a Disney movie before your parents get home.”

“Can we?” Lana jumps for joy.

“As long as we can get through your homework first.”

She hurries as she races around to her side of the car. “Then, let’s go!”

Their joy for the presents puts such a huge smile on my face, and I love that I have Silas to thank for that.

Silas

Is your ass home yet? I need help again.

Myles texted me this morning, but I ignored it until Kara left.

I’m home. You still need me?

Fuck yeah, I do. Get your ass over here.

On my way.

I put on grubby work clothes, knowing they will get trashed, and head to his place.

“Glad you’re back from La-La Land. Now, get up here and help me,” Myles says from atop his roof.

I climb up the ladder, swing my legs over the top and onto the roof then hand him a roofing tile. “Yep. Wish I were still there, but she didn’t want to ask for more days off work.”

He stops what he’s doing and looks at me. “Tell me again why you took her to Disneyland?”

“Why does everyone think that is so weird? It’s the happies place on earth. Why would I not take her to Disneyland?”

“Because it’s full of snotty-nosed kids—that’s why.” He goes back to hammering away on a tile.

“Yeah, but they aren’t our kids, so we get to just walk right past them without a care in the world.”

“Yeah. No, thank you. Not for me, and I’m surprised it’s for you. I thought you didn’t like kids either?”

I hold up my hand and clarify, “It’s not that I don’t like kids. I just don’t want kids of my own. Big difference.”

“Whatever you say. I’m sure she was envisioning you two down the road, bringing your own kids there.”

I blow him off. “No way. It wasn’t like that at all. We had a blast, and nothing was discussed about future trips.”

He eyes me from under his eyebrows while he’s crouched down. “Keep telling yourself that. I bet she was already picking out names in her head.” He points at me. “You’d better watch it. She’ll have you hook, line, and sinker here real quick.”

I grin with a sigh, not ashamed to admit, “I think she already caught me.”

He stands and tosses a tool to the ground. “Have you told her that you don’t want kids?”

“Not really something you discuss this soon.”

“Then, let me get this straight. One, she’s a nanny. Two, you took her to an amusement park that is solely made for kids because you knew she would like it. And, with those two things in mind, you don’t think it’s important to tell her you don’t want kids?”

I mock his counting while scrunching my face and being overdramatic.

He snaps his fingers at me. “See, you know I’m right, and that’s why you’re acting like what I’m saying is ridiculous.”

“Whatever. Just tell me what you need done, and let’s get to work.”

He walks away with a huff, getting more materials for us to continue the job.