Planting her hands on her hips, she responded, “I’ll have you know those have multiple uses. To put inhot chocolate.”
“It’s eighty-five degrees out today.”
Her eyes rolled to the ceiling. “You need them for Rice Krispie squares.”
He smiled at her. “Are we sending them in for a birthday at school?”
Pursing her lips, she took the bag and placed it back in the cart. “S’mores. You need them tomake s’mores.”
As he pushed the cart farther down the aisle, he chuckled. “You’re worsethan Jonathan.”
She jumped up and down then grabbed his arm. “Yes, we can stop by Callie and Jack’s and make s’mores with them.” The jumping stopped and she cocked her head. “This weekend we’ll go over. It’s a school nightfor Jonathan.”
“I bet he’d like some Rice Krispie squares too,” Scott said as he continueddown the aisle.
“I’ll put one in your lunch boxfor tomorrow.”
“Where am I going tomorrow?”
“Work.”
“I’m going wherever youare tomorrow.”
“You need to stop this, Scott. We can’t be joined at the hip forever. I have clients I need to take care of and show houses to. And you need to get the men working on the renovation project.”
“Until we know exactly what’s happening, I’m not risking anyone else’s life.”
“So the men there lose their paycheck?” Her eyes flashed with anger.
He put some milk in the cart and closed the cooler door. “I moved most of those men to one of my other contracts. No one’s missing anything.”
“But our project is getting behind schedule.”
Moving toward the checkout, he stopped and put his hands on her shoulders. “We have to be patient and take our time with this. I don’t want to risk any more accidents or incidents. We could end up dead next time. I kind of like being alive, thank you.”
“You’re right.” She leaned against his arm as the cashier rang up their groceries.
“Aren’t you going to fight me topay for these?”
A sheepish smile crossed her face and she bit her lip. “No. I used up all the cash I took out of the bank on all the other things I needed. I canpay you back.”
Shaking his head, he laughed. “I think I’ll manage.”
The trip home and unloading of groceries and all her bags was done in companionable silence with an occasional remark. As she tucked her items in with his, he threw together supper.
“The casserole will be ready in about thirty minutes. Why don’t we sit and relax until then?”
“I’m not sure I know how torelax, Scott.”
“Then I’ll teach you. Come here.” He took her hand and led her to the couch, where he got her settled in the crook of his arm.
“I’m sorry if I keep fighting you about everything. I’m used to doing everything on my own. I forget that sometimes I can accept help from others.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I hate being beholden to anyone, though. I’ve tried not to accept anything from my parents because I’m afraid my mom will hold it over my head to do something she wants me to do. Like marry someboring banker.”
“They’re simply trying to protect you. They love you and don’t want anything bad tohappen to you.”
