When I heard Raine’s light footsteps trotting down the stairs, I felt like no time had passed with my father andme.
Raine bolted for him. “Pop!” she yelled, jumping into his arms. “Have you met my friend Crickettyet?”
He smiled and kissed her forehead. “Yes, we’re becoming fast friends too.” He winked at me as she bounced Miss Gilda on thetable.
“Good. We need to keep her around. She’s pretty and nice. I like that.” She beamed at me and grabbed my hand. “Will you make me Captain Crunch again? You do it the best with the perfect amount ofmilk.”
Raine started dragging me into the kitchen and I glanced over to Rave. “Thank you.” I breathed as relief flooded me. It wasn’t the scenario I had pictured for all those years, but slowly I was realizing that the situation I had stumbled into was probablybetter.
He pursed his lips slowly as he nodded. “See you later. I need to head in to theshop.”
Abel made his way down the stairs, catching Rave at the front door. I strained to eavesdrop on their conversation as I grabbed the fixings for Raine’sbreakfast.
“How’d it go?” Abel’s hands were dug deep into his packets as he glared atRave.
“Better than Iexpected.”
Abel’s shoulders relaxed. “Good. Heading down to thegarage?”
Rave nodded and Abel slapped him on the back. “I should be heading up there in a few hours, we’ll see how the day goes. Tell Ronda to cover Crickett’s shift again thismorning.”
“Will do.” With that Rave was out the door and I was happily sipping coffee at the breakfast table while Raine chattered away about how happy she was that it was Saturday and she didn’t have to go toschool.
Abel poured himself a cup of coffee and topped off my mug, even adding in a little extra sugar for me. “Hey,Raine?”
She looked up at him with wide eyes, chomping on a mouthful of cereal. “Yeah, Daddy?” I laughed as milk spilled down her chin while shespoke.
“How about Crickett and I take you to the park over on Elmtoday?”
She perked up in her seat and started bouncing as her cheeks got red. “That’s the one with the really big slide!” The excitement that was pouring out of her wasintoxicating.
“It sure is. Finish your breakfast and brush yourteeth.”
Raine scarfed down the rest of her food and bolted up the stairs to get ready. I rinsed my mug with her bowl and started to load the dishwasher when I felt Abel’s hands run up myarms.
He gently kissed the top of my head. “Are weok?”
I turned into his arms, wrapping mine around his waist. “Yes.” Our lips slowly brushed together for the faintest touch of a kiss. “Sorry I freaked out lastnight.”
He chuckled a little, pulling away to dig his cigarette box out of his jeans pocket. “You’re not the only one that was freaking out. I thought I was losing you right when I finally hadyou.”
I rested my cheek on his warm, bare chest. “You’re not getting rid of me thateasily.”
He let out a slow sigh. “Good.”
“Am I ever going to be able to work again?” I questioned, pulling away from him to close the dishwasher. “My boss might get pissed if I keep missing shifts likethis.”
He lightly smacked me on my ass before putting a cigarette between his teeth. “I think he can handle it.” With a wink he started to head for the front porch. “Want to joinme?”
I followed him out onto the massive front porch, taking the lit cigarette from him before he lit hisown.
“She’s really taking to you.” Abel motioned toward the frontdoor.
We leaned against the railing, Abel’s arm wrapping around my shoulders. “I’m taking to her like a bee to honey. You got one freaking amazing kidthere.”
His lips dusted the top of my ear. “You’re freakingamazing.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You’reinsane.”
