Which leads to the next one blurting, “My dad poops every morning before work!”
The class is now in hysterics.
Another girl doesn’t even bother to raise her hand. She shouts. “My daddy goes at night.”
Lacey makes the shushing noise with her finger up and just as the classroom finally settles again, a little boy in the middle of the room says, “My dad pooped in a bucket once.”
I glance at Dustin. He’s obviously biting the inside of his cheek. I look away, pressing my lips together while Lacey does her best to regain control of the chaos. I put my finger to my lips in a show of solidarity.
“Okay,” she says. “I think that’s enough for question time. If everyone will quiet down and line up at the door, we’ll be able to go out to see the truck.”
On our way out the door she quietly apologizes to Dustin and me.
“Don’t worry,” he tells her. “They’ve got nothing on our crew when we’re unsupervised.”
“They’re adorable,” I assure her. “And you do an amazing job managing them with the right balance of kindness and limits.”
“Thanks,” she says. “And thank you for being patient with them.”
The kids roam the truck, trying on hats and turnout coatsthat fit them like dresses. We give each child a plastic badge and a sticker that says Waterford Fire, and then we’re on our way back to the bakery so I can drop Dustin at his car.
“They’re sure cute,” he says as we drive away from the school. “Do you want kids?”
“Me?” I ask.
“Yeah, you. Emberleigh and I want four. I wanted ten, but she talked me down.”
“Ten?”
“Yeah. I love kids.”
“I love kids too, but ten? You know you actually have to raise and feed them, right?”
“Yeah. I do. I even know about the birds and the bees,” he chuckles.
“Well, to answer your question, yes. I want kids. I haven’t thought about how many yet.”
“You kind of have to date someone first.”
“True.”
I almost tell him about Carli. The confession sits on the tip of my tongue. Dustin’s crazy and he can be a loose cannon, but deep down, he’s steady. And he’d keep a secret. I just don’t think it’s time to let this one out of the bag.
Chapter 17
Carli
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
~ Franklin P. Jones
I’m at work—notshadowing Randall, but fully on my own. I have two inspections today and some paperwork to file. First stop was the community center to confirm occupancy signs, check emergency lighting, and sign off on compliance with a few items that were flagged on the last walk-through.
Now I’m off to the bakery. Usually, I’m either popping in as a customer, or on the rare occasion, pitching in when they are short-handed. Today, I’m going through a routine check of ovens, exits and safety issues.
I pull into the spaces in front of the shop and walk in the front door.
“Happy Friday!” I say to Sydney and Emberleigh.
