When we arrived at Sam’s a few minutes later, she opened the door with a bottle of vodka in hand. “Cocktails?” she asked with a raised brow as she ushered us inside.
Nothing sounded better, but I had to drive, and I had a big day the next day. “I’d better keep it low-key tonight, I have a long day tomorrow,” I replied regretfully.
“Mama!” Hudson ran into the living room, fresh from a bath and looking adorable in his pajamas. Sid followed closely behind, a smile on his handsome face.
Sam scooped him up and kissed his cheek. “Hi, baby, did you have a good time with Daddy?”
“Yes. We played Legos, and I got to stay in the bath for ten years!”
“Ten years is a long time.” She laughed as Sid leaned in for a kiss, pressing Hudson between them.
“Teacher Emerly!” Hudson exclaimed once they’d broken apart. “You’re at my house!”
I wondered how long the shock of seeing me outside of school would last. “I am,” I agreed. “Hey, how about I read you a story?” I suggested.
His blue eyes grew wide with wonder. “Yes!”
I laughed. “Okay, go pick out what you want.” I turned to Sid and Sam after he’d rushed off. “I hope that’s okay?”
“Absolutely.” Sam nodded. “He adores you.”
“Feeling is mutual.” I grinned as Hudson came back and took my hand, yanking me toward his room.
His exuberance and easy joy had the incident with the detective fading to the back of my mind as I focused on what was right in front of me.
He crawled up into his bed, and I sat at the edge, openingCar and Trucks and Things that Go.One of my favorites. I didn’t even notice Travis leaning against the doorway, watching us with a gentle smile, until I was nearly done.
“Hey,” I murmured when I saw him. I looked down at Hudson, realizing he was almost asleep.
“Hey,” he replied. “Having fun?” he asked, his face soft as he watched the two of us.
“Definitely,” I agreed, closing the book and rising from the bed. I turned to Hudson. “Night, buddy. I’ll go get your mama.”
“Mama,” he murmured on a sigh, the adoration clear in his sleepy tone.
Travis took my hand and guided me from the room, promptly pressing me against the hallway wall and kissing me passionately.
“What was that for?” I breathed when he pulled back slightly.
“Are you all right?” he demanded harshly. Theo had obviously clued him in on my run-in with Harris.
“Fine,” I assured him, still breathless from the kiss. “I was glad Theo was there though,” I admitted.
“Me too,” he gritted out, his body still caging me in as though shielding me from some unseen threat. “What did he say to you?”
“He wanted to know if I had any additional information. He said if I thought of anything, I was to take it directly to him, and only to him,” I shared. “I feel like there’s something off about him,” I added, biting my lip.
“I do, too,” Travis agreed. “Come on, let’s get you something to eat.” He took my hand, squeezing once as he led us out to the dining room, where everyone was already seated.
Sam looked at us with a flicker of concern flashing in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a smile. “Dig in, everything’s still hot. I’ll be right back,” she added as she scooted her chair back to go tuck Hudson in.
“It looks great.” I smiled as Travis pulled my chair out for me.
“How was the interview?” Sid asked Travis as we all dug in.
“He’ll do, maybe,” Travis grumbled.
“New receptionist?” I guessed, grateful for the distraction.
