Bonus Kisses - Freya Barker Page 0,86
the river until it was time to eat.
We’d spend most mornings exploring the many trails, and on two occasions drove into Potosi to replenish our supplies. The afternoons we generally lazed around the campsite, and even with the leisurely pace of our days, we inevitably ended up in bed early.
The plan for today is to have a good breakfast, clean up, pack up, and head home. Sadly. Back to the daily grind. I’ve already decided that next year we’ll do two weeks.
“Five minutes, guys!”
“Okay!” Taz calls back.
I turn the bacon and flip the pancakes as Stitch trots up, drawn by the smell of food. “No bacon for you, bud. You’ve had your breakfast.” Not deterred, he flops down on his belly, his head resting on his front paws as he follows every move closely. Waiting for something to drop.
Sofie is the first out of the water, which is perfect, because there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to her about.
“Almost ready?” she asks, dropping her soaked life vest on the ground.
“Yes, hang that on the tree to dry, will you? And grab the orange juice from the cooler on your way back, please.”
Even though she grumbles under her breath, she does as I ask before sitting down at the picnic table. She’s had some moments this past week, but nothing more than an occasional sharp look or roll of the eyes when she caught Taz and I touching. We’ve been careful with public displays of affection, but I’ve held her hand on hikes, and occasionally kissed the top of her head, much like I do with the kids.
“I wanted to ask you something,” I start, my back to her as I pour more batter into the pan, trying to be as casual as I can. “How would you like having a bathroom of your own?” When I turn to look I see her eyes have gone big.
“Really? Like…how? Are we moving?”
“No. We’re not moving. We’re thinking of making some changes upstairs. Starting with you maybe moving into the master bedroom. We could look at painting it a different color; maybe get new curtains. And the best part is, it comes with the big bed.”
“Can I have sleepovers?” she asks immediately, and I bite off a grin.
“Sure, every now and then, but you’ll have to wait until the work is finished.”
“Are you going to sleep in my old room?”
I note she’s already calling it her ‘old’ room, which I guess means she’s on board with the plan. So far.
“Actually, that’s the next part. I want to turn your room and the spare bedroom into one bigger bedroom with a bathroom for Taz and me.”
She seems to ponder on that while I flip the last pancakes. “But what happens if you guys have a baby? Where is it gonna go?”
I almost drop the spatula from my hand. I hadn’t even considered that possibility.
“We’re having a baby?” Spencer asks, as he too drops his life vest in a puddle on the ground.
From the corner of my eye I see Taz—who was coming up right behind him—freezing on the spot. “There’s no baby,” I inform my son, and by default Taz, “but if you pick up that life vest and hang it to dry the way you know you’re supposed to, I’ll fill you in on what your sister and I were talking about.”
I note Taz keeps glancing at Sofie, as I catch both her and Spencer up on the conversation. Of course my son loses interest the moment I set his breakfast in front of him, but I seem to have Taz’s attention.
“So what about the baby?” Sofie persists.
It would appear my girl has got her jaws in something and is shaking it like the little terrier she can be.
“Honey, there’s no baby,” Taz tries.
“But what if there is? Lisa Brinkman is in my class and her mom just had another baby.”
Great. Now she’s glommed on to the idea of a little brother or sister.
“Let’s stick with the four of us for now, okay?” I suggest, hoping that ends the topic, but my daughter clearly isn’t done yet.
“I’m just saying…”
“Enough, Sofie.”
It’s not until after we finish breakfast, clean up, and send the kids to pack the toys in their backpacks, that I get Taz alone for a minute.
“Do you get the sense her head has been busy this past week?”
She snorts as I take the folding chairs from her and fit them in the back of the truck. “So I gather. I’m not