“Damn!” Kiernan said with a laugh. “I’m just going to stay over here and mind my own business so I don’t step in any of that.”
“It’s okay, my love, I’ll protect you,” Abby said, smiling lovingly at her mate.
“Momma? Can I go play with Harley? She’s got Gerald outside,” Nora asked.
Abby looked down at her daughter. “You should ask if she minds, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Nora said, bravely venturing away from her mother’s side because she really, really liked Harley and Gerald.
“Can I get you anything at all?” Charlie asked his mate as he gently swung the hammock Daisy reclined in.
Daisy looked at Charlie. “I’d really love to try some of those bacon wrapped cream cheese stuffed shrimp, but I’m afraid I might get sick.”
“Some shrimp and a bucket?” Charlie asked.
“Is it too much trouble?” Daisy asked.
“Not at all. Penny? Go ask Uncle Havoc where we can find a bucket, and I’ll go get Mommy’s shrimp,” Charlie said.
“Okay!” Penny said excitedly as she ran off toward Havoc.
“Oh, that does sound good,” Addie said as she finally got comfortable in her hammock.
“Coming right up,” Christian said, kissing his mate and grinning proudly as he followed Charlie to find the stuffed shrimp.
Nora had finally made it over to Harley where she sat talking with Carson and waited for Harley to acknowledge her. Harley looked over at the quiet little girl. “Hi, Nora.”
“Hi.”
“Would you like to pet Gerald?”
“Yes, please. If he doesn’t mind.”
Harley lifted her arm and offered it to Gerald. He stepped off her shoulder and onto her arm. She put him on her lap where Nora held out her hand slowly and gently to the large iguana to let him know she wanted to pet him. Gerald turned himself around so she could stroke his back and Nora grinned, happily running her fingertips down his back.
“So, like I was saying, I really think you should enter one of your drawings in the competition. You’re better than anybody else in school.”
“I know, but I don’t want anybody to laugh,” Carson said.
“Seriously? Nobody’s going to laugh, and if they do, they’ll only do it once, and then I’ll punch them and they’ll run away crying. You should enter,” Harley said.
Carson smiled at her. “I might.”
“You will,” Harley said.
“I want meeeeaaaaat!” Matteo shrieked as he ran by with KJ and Eli hot on his tail.
“It’s not time yet!” KJ yelled as he chased his new best friend.
“I can make him stop if you want,” Eli said, as he ran after KJ and Matteo.
“Run, Matteo! He’s going make you freeze!” Barrett yelled as the other boys ran by.
“Eli, don’t you dare mist anybody!” Tempest yelled.
“I’m not going to hurt him! We’re just playing!” Eli yelled.
“Boy!” Brandt bellowed.
