“Looks great, Lucas!” Emmitt hollered.
“I’d say it’s about time to decorate those cookies,” Betty called out next.
“Agreed,” Maverick said. “May as well drown my Valentine’s misery in frosting.”
“Pictures first,” Andie declared. “No one go anywhere until we get a few shots.
The tripod was already set in place. Andie was quick to prepare a timer on her phone and arrange the group around their snowy Valentine creations. Sloane smiled wide at the camera, musing that her love for Emmitt and his family seemed to deepen with each passing day.
After the dust had settled, Emmitt wasted no time getting his tours going. They were a big hit, just as she’d expected. And Sloane had started her new position in desktop investigations from the comfort of The Homestead Inn. She was now working for an agency Elroy had told her about.
Once they were all inside, Maverick reached a hand into the designated phone basket and pulled out his cell. “I hope all of this being alone crap is going to pay off,” he grumbled.
“Emmitt smacked him on the back. “It will. Just trust the process.”
“Says the man whoignoredthat step in the process,” Maverick hissed bitterly.
Emmitt lifted his hands to either side of him. “Hey, I must have skimmed past that part.” He leaned down to whisper in Sloane’s ear. “And it’s a good thing I did.”
Maverick, who was now reading Emmitt’s book for playboys, was following the guidelines to a T. The first of which said he should spend two full months of “alone time” before reentering the dating scene. Sloane only hoped it paid off for him as well. Maverick might be wild, but she felt that, when the right woman came along, he wouldn’t take her for granted.
“Want me to get our phones?” Emmitt volunteered as Sloane removed her boots and gloves by the door.
“Sure,” she said. “May as well check them before we do cookies.” The truth was, Ty’s idea to have a phone basket was genius. At gatherings, when dinner or activities were about to begin, family members could set their phones inside. It was a way of being present, being part of the action, of living life free of one’s often time-consuming devices.
At this point, since Lucas didn’t have a phone yet, participation was voluntary. But Sloane could envision a time down the road where a group of teens grumbled over the rule with eye rolls and groans. Still, they’d go on to enjoy their time with cousins all the same.
“Here you go,” Emmitt said as he sank onto the bench beside her.
“Thanks.” Sloane rested her head on his shoulder, in no hurry to get back to the group. “I love you,” she whispered into his ear.
Most of the group had filtered beyond the entry and into the kitchen. A fact Emmitt seemed to acknowledge as he glanced about the room.
He lifted Sloane’s hand to his lips and whispered against her skin. “I am so in love with you, Sloane Bardo.” He pressed a heated kiss to her palm, causing a ripple of chills to race up her arms. “And while we have a minute here alone…” he started to say.
Sloane knew just where he was going with that thought. She lifted her head in time for Emmitt to press his warm, heavenly lips to hers. His hand slid up the back of her neck and into her hair. Now she had chills on chills.
She reveled in the euphoria a moment longer, grateful she had a lifetime to explore his kiss. For now, it sounded like their absence hadn’t gone unnoticed.
“Where’s Sloane and Emmitt?” Lucas was asking.
“Making out by the door probably,” Maverick answered, the sound of his voice growing louder as he spoke.
Sloane broke off from the kiss and grinned as Emmitt’s eyes widened. “We’re busted.”
“Iknewit!” Maverick said.
“Guilty as charged,” Emmitt said. “But can you blame me?” He reached in for one last kiss before coming to a stand and helping Sloane do the same.
“What doesmaking outmean?” Lucas asked as they joined the group in the kitchen.
“It means we were doing Eskimo kisses,” Emmitt answered.
“Oh yeah, I know about those,” Lucas replied.
And as they headed to the kitchen to join the others, Sloane glanced at her phone to check for notifications. Looks like she had one after all.
It was a new text from...her heart nearly stopped cold when she saw the name. JB.
