* * *
Afew days later, I’m sitting on the back patio enjoying my morning tea when Dad brings Cole and Spencer outside. Riku is having a day off and visiting his family because I promised to stay on the property.
“Jazzy, your guests are here,” he teases me. It’s been so nice to be home and just relax. I’ve only had one hit of coke, and that was when I went over to Willow Castle and had a tour of the zoo with Harlow. The place is a construction zone. The McCallister brothers are working hard, and they have a huge crew of people working for them. I thought I did pretty damn good for being surrounded by strangers.
“Hi, Jazzy, hi. We’ve come to see the tigers. Hi!” Spencer bounces up and down on the spot, one hand firmly in Cole’s, the other waving wildly. “Brad said we can pet them.”
I raise an eyebrow at my dad, and he shrugs sheepishly. He loves kids, and I can see that he’s enamored with Spencer already. That kid will have him wrapped around his finger in no time.
“Well, hi there, buddy. I guess if Brad says you can, then you can. While we’re waiting for my sister to come over, do you want some morning tea?” I gesture to the pile of cakes on the table, and his eyes widen like saucers.
“Yes, please.” He pulls free and runs around to the seat next to mine. He struggles to pull out the heavy wooden chair, so I help him while Cole takes a seat across from me.
“Are you staying, Dad?” I ask as Spencer climbs up and licks his lips at the sight of all the lovely treats Mrs. Heyton prepared for him.
“No, I’ll go call Harlow and let her know they are here. She said to let her know when they arrived. Hey, Spencer, after you see the cubs, would you like to have a pony ride?”
Spencer looks at his dad, the amazement on his face growing. “Can I, Daddy?” he asks.
Cole smiles, the gesture full of warmth and comfort that I wish I could experience for myself. Not that I am ready to admit that anywhere except to myself. The guy being a good dad turns me on, so what? Totally normal. Totally fucking normal.
“Sure can, buddy.”
“Yes please, Brad,” Spencer says politely, and Dad beams.
“Excellent. Come find me when you finish with the cubs, and I’ll take you to meet DS.”
“Thanks, Brad.”
Dad leaves us, and I pour Cole a coffee, passing it over to him. Mrs. Heyton set the table with the good china, and the dainty cup looks funny in his big hand.
“What would you like to drink, Spencer? There’s milk or juice or hot chocolate.”
“Chocolate!” He grins and bounces up and down. “And can I have the pink one, please?” He points at the little iced cupcake with sprinkles on it.
“You have lovely manners,” I say to him, pouring some hot chocolate into a cup and passing him the cupcake.
“Maybe not in that cup.” Cole looks worried as his son grabs the delicate china.
“Nonsense, as Nana would say. Children need to be trusted, and if it breaks, it’s not a big deal, Cole. We’ve broken plenty over the years.”
Spencer’s chest puffs up with pride as he carefully lifts his china cup to his mouth and takes a sip. “Delicious.” He smacks his lips before carefully placing the cup down. He shoves the cupcake into his mouth, and Cole groans.
“So much for those manners.”
Harlow arrives about half an hour later, giving us just enough time to get a good sugar rush running through Spencer. He’s been running around on the back grass for the last ten minutes, making plane sounds. He was disappointed to see that the pool was covered. Despite the day being cooler, he wanted to swim. I didn’t tell him about the indoor one yet. I’ll wait and see how tired he is after his pony ride. I distracted him by telling him the back lawn was where our helicopters landed. He was super impressed, and I sent a quick message to ask Kai if he would take him up in it this afternoon when he arrived home. The kid is so freaking adorable, I can’t help but want to spoil him.
We walk to the tiger enclosure, his hand in Harlow’s as they walk in front of us. He’s listening intently as she tells him all about the tigers. She’s great with him, and I can see now that the zoo will be a hit with elementary school children. She doesn’t baby him, and she answers all his questions.
When we get to the cage, the cubs and Nyx are all in the play area. The cubs are rolling around, wrestling, and Nyx has put herself out of their reach. She’s using one of the sunning platforms to have a nap.
“Wow, look how big they have grown!” I lean against the mesh, threading my fingers through the holes. My voice has the cubs stopping what they are doing and running over to us. Spencer squeals with delight.
“Look, Daddy, kitties!” He claps his hands as the cubs rub against the wire, trying to get Harlow’s attention. Cole’s eyes are just about as wide as Spencer’s.
“Whoa,” he breathes out as Nyx yawns and stretches before jumping down from her perch to stalk over to us. She stops in front of the two of us and sits down, putting her paw up on the wire in greeting. I reach out my hand, but Cole snatches it from the air.
“What are you doing?” he asks, and I shrug him away.
