Cole clasped his hands and bowed before me, “Thank you, oh great one.”
I snickered, “Hush.”
Bronson chuckled, Madalyn shrugged, “I was excited.”
“Need me to take you to the field?” I asked.
Cole shook his head, “Nah, Dad’s drop...”
We all turned to look at him.
Only I saw his eyes trained on my shirt.
I smiled. “What do you think?”
He swallowed.
I turned and let him read the back.
And the moment I was sure he was finished reading it, I turned back around, just in time to brace.
Because Cole launched his body into mine and wrapped me up in a tight embrace.
And I wouldn’t ever talk about the wet tear I felt trailing down the side of my neck.
I pressed a kiss to the side of his head, and squeezed him back once, then let him go.
He pulled away and sniffed once.
I winked at him, then I looked at Bronson, “I’ll keep you posted.”
He nodded but didn’t say anything.
Once Madalyn and I were in the car, I winked at her, then hit the playlist I had created when we had one of our shopping days.
And in the car on the way to the shops, Madalyn looked over at Lila and smiled, all the while praying,‘Don’t let anything take her away from us. Please.’
***
Meanwhile, back at Bronson Adams Estate.
“She’s something else,” Bronson whispered.
“Yeah. She really is.” Cole whispered back.
***
We were at our fourth store of the day, and both of our stomachs were growling.
I winked, “Food?”
She nodded eagerly, “Think we can go to Gushers?”
I snickered at the name. Again.
Madalyn followed suite and then we were both in full-blown hysterics.
We had just opened the door to Gushers when Harlee’s dad, Pete, tossed someone out on their ass.
