“Most definitely, but maybe it’s better out in the open. Rip off the bandage so to speak.” I touch my hand to the side of her face and she leans into it.
“But the kids…”
“We’ll make sure they’re shielded. At least until we head up to go camping in two weeks. We’ll tell them ourselves then.”
“Aren’t you worried it’s too soon?”
My instinct is to evade the question, but I promised honesty. “It probably is, but…” I quickly add, “…these aren’t exactly normal circumstances. It’s not like they’ll be introduced to someone new they have to accept into their lives. You’re already in their lives. They already love you. When you think about it, little will change for them.”
She seems to think on that for a minute. “I guess that’s true. Seeing us being affectionate with each other, or when we start sleeping in the same bed every night, will take getting used to, but kids at this age tend to take their cues from the people they love. If we don’t put too much weight on it, they likely won’t either.”
“We need to make sure certain people don’t have a chance to paint what is happening with a negative brush.”
“You’re talking about Mom and Dad.” I hate the sadness in those pretty brown eyes.
“Yeah. I’m not entirely sure how your dad will react, but I’m pretty positive Mom won’t be thrilled. We’ll have to brace for that.”
Now she grins. “I’m always braced around my parents, Rafe. I’m conditioned that way.”
“So noted.” I grin back and drop a quick kiss on her lips. “Now why don’t you head up and I’ll let the dogs out before crating them.”
“What about the mattress?”
“That’s going in your room tomorrow.” I get to my feet, not giving her a chance to object. “Go on up. I’ll be there soon.”
By the time the dogs are safe in their crate, I’ve locked up the house, and peek around the bedroom door; Taz looks to be asleep. I do my nighttime routine in the master bath, strip down to my boxers, and make my way back to the spare bedroom.
The moment I slide under the covers, though, Taz rolls over to face me, her eyes barely open.
“Rafe?”
“Yes, baby.”
“That was a great date,” she mumbles, her eyes already drifting shut again.
“The best.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Taz
I pull the CRV along the curb in front of Mrs. Myers’ house and see the curtains in the window move.
My least favorite stop of the day, even though on Friday she was surprisingly subdued. I have a suspicion she’ll have plenty to say today. It’s been an interesting weekend, some of which I’m sure has filtered through to her. It doesn’t take much in this town.
After an interesting day on Saturday, yesterday had been blissfully drama free.
We took the dogs out for a long hike in the woods and while they were sleeping off the morning’s exercise, Rafe and I took apart the bed in my room and hauled it downstairs to the truck, before replacing it with the new bed and mattress. It fits, but it’s tight.
We drove into town, dropped off the old bed at the thrift store, and picked up groceries for the week ahead. Aside from a few curious glances—which I almost don’t notice anymore—that exercise was uneventful, although I’d hoped to run into Meredith, but she was off.
A quiet night, a thorough testing of the new bed, and a good night’s rest closed out the weekend.
But now it’s back to regular scheduling, which means Mrs. Myers is waiting inside.
“Took you long enough.”
I take a minute to take a deep breath and greet the tongue-lolling Charlton first. You’d never know the docile, friendly dog is the same one who tried mauling my arm less than a week ago. He doesn’t seem to have anything against me, just to bath time.
“Afternoon, Mrs. Myers.” I force a smile for the older woman and set my medical kit on the coffee table and fish out some gloves. “How are you today?”
I barely listen to her laundry list of complaints—only mumbling sympathetically every now and then—while I focus on cleaning her wound, and change the dressing.
“Are you listening?” Her sharp tone draws my attention.
“I’m sorry, what was that?”
“I asked you when your parents will be home? I’ve missed them at church.”
I bet.
“Tomorrow, actually. They left Kentucky this morning.” I can almost see her mind churning as she narrows her eyes on me. Before she has a chance to say anything, however, I quickly add, “Which is why