Yeah, that cart I’d put before the horse was way ahead of us on the racetrack now.
Jensen and Mitchell eyed me curiously, knowing grins spread across their meddling faces while their puppy raced in through the doggy door and straight for me. “Who do we have here?”
“That’s Nallie Bear. Daddies got her for me for Christmas. Best Christmas ever!” Henry excitedly cheered.
“Hello, Nallie Bear,” I scratched behind her ears, and the little wiggle butt wagged her nub. “I love boxers.”
“Did you know Daddy T is a vet?” Jamie proudly announced.
“We did not.” Jensen replied. “But we’ve been thinking of switching vets so that’s good to know.”
Much like Jamie, animals were my kryptonite. I’m the person you invite to a party who sits on the floor and plays with the owners pets all night. Right off the bat Jamie and I had something in common, a love of animals. If I wasn’t already enamored with him, this assessment would’ve been a plus, whereas now it pretty much sealed the deal for me.
“The boys wanted chickie nuggies for dinner but don’t worry, we made a salad to go with it, so they’ll have their veggies too.” Mitchell set the oven to temp. “And steaks for us.”
“Ooohhh, do you have dippy sauces for them? I like ranch, and buffalo, and mustard.” Jamie ticked them off his fingers one by one.
“Mustard?” Henry made a yucky face.
“Yes, it’s really, really, really good. You should try it.”
“Um, I think we have those things?” Mitchell glanced at Jensen who shrugged. It took all I had not to laugh, but had they not, I’d have made a quick run to the store. My boy would not go without his favorites.
“Daddy T, are you sleeping over?” Jamie bounced up and down in the chair again.
“Sweet boy, you’re going to give me a heart attack if you don’t stop doing that. Please quit bouncing on an unstable chair.” My heart literally raced as the barstool precariously swiveled. Tipping over with the chair and splitting his head was an accident waiting to happen.
“Sorry Daddy T, I’m just excited you’re here.”
“I am too, Jamie.”
“Daddy Jensen got the guest room ready so Daddy T could sleep over too,” Henry announced, and Jensen winked at him.
“Oh, okay. I didn’t bring a change of clothes, but it should be okay.” I’d put these on right before I came over and as long as Jamie didn’t spill all over me, or finger painting or crafts went awry, I’d be okay.
“We’re sleeping in Henry’s playroom.” Jamie held his hands up. “All done Daddy T.”
“That’s your queue.” Mitchell tossed a container of wipes at me.
“Dear boy, how did you get ranch in your hair?” I wiped it out before taking care of his ranch covered fingers.
“Magic Daddy!” When I finished, he kissed my cheek, hopped off the stool, and off they went again.
“Um, okay.”
“That’s a boy who knew what Daddy he wanted and isn’t afraid to go for it.” Jensen laughed. “Better go catch him, Daddy T.”
I wandered down the hall, following the string of giggles and whispers. As I approached the open door, it hit me that I was the source of all that.
“You like-like him,” Henry sung to Jamie.
“I do. He’s nice, he feeds me sushi, he likes animals. And he’s nice.”
“He-he you already said that. You can’t say it twice.”
“Uh-huh, I can. But he smells good and likes my hugs.”
That I did. “Knock-knock,” I rapped my knuckles against the door frame. “What are you two getting up to in here?”
