“It was my pleasure. I can’t wait to do it again.”
I don’t miss the way surprise flashes through her eyes.
“Me too,” she says softly.
“Come here.”
Stepping forward, I pull her into my arms and give her a hug. Slowly, she wraps her arms around my waist. Shutting my eyes, I take in the moment, not knowing when the next time I’ll hold her this close will be. Don’t get me wrong. We’re making progress, but you never know what the next day will be. I’ll take advantage of the chances when they present themselves.
I press my lips to her forehead before I step back. “I’ll be right next door if you need me, okay?”
“No late-night make out?” she whispers.
I pull her to me, pressing my lips to hers.
“I am always down to make out with you, but you have yawned at least six times on the way home. You need your sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Okay. Night, Mac. Sweet dreams,” she says before slipping into the house.
I only leave when her lock flips into place, letting me know she’s safe for the night. I just wish I were in there with them.
Icome to slowly and frown.
Something is wrong.
I just don’t know what. Scanning my room, I see nothing out of place. I can hear Tanner’s little snores from down the hall and know that he’s still asleep. Emily, God bless her, is the type that once she’s out, she’s out cold until the sun comes up.
Weird.
My eyes start to drift shut when I hear it. The sound of scratching.
What the hell?
Throwing off the covers, I get out of bed. I peek into the kids’ rooms as I pass by and see that they are still asleep, and head to the living room. When I hear it again, my heart begins to race. I hear the sound of someone cursing quietly on the other side, and I swear my soul leaves my body.
Someone is on the other side trying to break in.
Without a second thought, I quietly rush to Tanner’s room.
“Tanner, wake up,” I whisper as I shake him.
“Mom?” he rasps, blinking slowly.
“I need you to get up. Someone’s trying to break in.”
For a split second, my son freezes before he jumps out of bed. We head into Emily’s room, and I pick her up.
“Mommy? Is it time to go to school?” she groans.
“Not yet,” I tell her as I rub her back.
We move through the house as quietly as mice and head to the back door.
“Where are we going?” Tanner asks quietly.
“Mac’s. I want you to run across the yard and to his back door. I’ll be right behind you, okay?” I tell him as I set Emily down. I look at my daughter and brush her hair out of her face. “Can you run, or do I need to carry you?”
“I’m scared,” she cries quietly.
