“Don’t I know it? But that’s the point. Going in to work gives me a sense of satisfaction and makes me realize how much I love being home with my boys. Spending all morning with the boys makes me appreciate having a few hours to myself to work on the books at the store. See? It all balances out.”
“I guess it does. And you still have the energy to make fantastic dinners and breakfasts for your family.”
“Only since you’ve been here. I’ll admit, half the time we have spaghetti and jarred sauce or grilled cheese if Bill works late. If I made meals like this all the time, I’d have no energy left to seduce my husband.”
“I must be getting used to you, because that didn’t even faze me.”
“Hey, it’s all part of the balance. And it’s fun.”
“Amen to that, sister.”
Chapter Thirteen
Nadya was doing the lunch dishes as Mary Ellen put Hunter down for his nap and Bill played quietly with Billy in the den. Mary Ellen was going into the store for a few hours, and Nadya hadn’t decided if she wanted to join her or hide out in the house. It might be a little awkward staying with Bill knowing how much he wanted to sway her to his point of view. But it would be even more uncomfortable facing a parade of people coming in to gawk at her in the store.
She was still debating which would be worse when the phone rang. Bill hustled over to answer it before it woke up Hunter. How bad could it be at the store? And she might be able to see J.T. there too.
Oh God, what was she, in high school again? If she wanted to see J.T. she could just call him, for heaven’s sake.
Mary Ellen came into the kitchen holding her purse and paused when she saw Bill on the phone. It wasn’t long before he said, “I’ll see what I can do.” And hung up.
“What’s going on?” Mary Ellen asked.
“That was work. Someone told the press that the owner of the land had been found and a deal was on the table. The environmentalists are causing a ruckus at the gate. They’re calling in the police, but they need all the full timers to go in as well.”
“But I have to go into work. Rosa has a wedding in Canton tonight—I can’t just tell her to stay late.”
“Can you call the sitter?”
“Don’t bother, I’m right here,” Nadya said, stepping into the discussion. “I’ll watch the boys.”
“Really? Thanks,” Bill said before he ran down the hall to their bedroom.
“I don’t know, Nad. You’ve never had to watch two little boys for any length of time before. They can be a handful. I’d take them with me, but I really want Hunter to get a nap. He’s a nightmare if he skips it.”
“I want to do it. Honest. Billy and I will play together while Hunter naps, and you’ll be home shortly after that anyway. It’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure. I’ll have Bill drop me off at the store so you’ll have the van if something comes up. In fact, why don’t you just plan on picking me up when Hunter wakes up?”
“Sounds like a plan. Don’t worry, Billy and I will have a great time.”
Mary Ellen continued to look skeptical but went to tell Bill the plan. It took her another five minutes to write down all the emergency numbers. By then Bill was waiting impatiently by the door.
“You’ll be five miles away, not in Africa. Let’s go,” Bill called out.
“I’m coming, just cool your britches.” Mary Ellen gave Billy a kiss goodbye then climbed into the truck.
Nadya waved goodbye and shut the door quietly. “Alone at last.” She followed Billy into the den where he went immediately to the DVD rack. “Do you like Thomas the Train?” he asked, innocence just shining off him.
“Billy, my love, have you ever heard the phrase, you can’t kid a kidder?”
“No.” He looked confused.
“I know your mama only lets you watch TV when she’s making dinner.”
“Oh.” His little face fell and he turned to put the DVD back.
“But your mama’s not here right now, is she? Show me how to work this,” she said as she inserted the disc.
It took a few false tries, but eventually they got the movie going. Billy crawled up on the couch right next to Nadya. His little body snuggled into her and she stroked his baby-fine hair. Every atom of her