Page 83 of Colt

To make sure he comes home to a loving place.

Fun kinda gets left at the wayside, though. I feel like we’re barely surviving so much of the time, much less thriving.

But this right here? A (mostly) full table, a happy six-year-old, LEGO bricks strewn everywhere? Somehow this feels like thriving.

If only it weren’t also messy in every sense of the word.

“So fun.” Lainey is going to town on her short ribs. She pauses, closing her eyes like she’s savoring the bite she just took. “Colton.”

“Yeah?”

“As much as I hate to compliment you⁠—”

“It’s hard, I know.”

“Ha. But seriously, this might be the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

Goddamn it, you’re cute. And filthy.

Is it hot in here? I feel like it’s hot in here.

“You’re the worst.” I scoop a parsnip into my mouth. “Also, thank you.”

“Dad is really good at making meat loaf.”

I chuckle. “This isn’t meat loaf, buddy. Short ribs, remember?”

“Oh. It kinda tastes like meat loaf though.”

Lainey nods. “Almost the same concept. What’s your favorite thing your dad makes?”

“Hm.” Dean mulls this over as he shoves another forkful of meat into his mouth. “Probably chicken. And pasta. And steak. Sometimes on the weekends, we make bread together, and then Dad uses it to make French toast.”

Lainey stares at me. “You make your own bread?”

I stare right back. “You don’t?”

“How—”

“Sally’s sourdough starter,” I explain. “She had some to share, so I had her come over to give Dean and me a lesson in how to make it. Once you make your own bread, you’ll never go back.”

A small smile works its way onto Lainey’s full mouth. “I am so impressed, y’all.”

“What do you like to make, Lainey?” Dean asks around a mouthful of food.

“Chew with your mouth closed, please,” I say. “Where did those manners go?”

He swallows. “Sorry.”

“I make a little of everything,” Lainey replies. “I learned how to cook from my mom. She made us dinner almost every night growing up.”

“My mom did too.” I grab a sip of beer. “Now I appreciate what an endeavor that was. Feeding your people is⁠—”

“A full-time endeavor,” Lainey says with a laugh. “How many full-time jobs does that make for you?”

You get it.

You see.