Thunderstruck (Providence Family Ties 3)

I was still laughing when I asked, “So, you’re saying there are no pentagrams and chicken intestines in her house?”

“The former, definitely no. The latter, it wouldn’t surprise me. Nonna finds the weirdest stuff interesting for her art.”

Seeing the goosebumps on her arms, I put my hand on her belly and gently pushed her into the bathroom. “We’ll finish this discussion once you’re showered and warm, baby. I’ll get you something to wear.”

Smiling gratefully at me, she shut the door, and I went to grab her a pair of my sweats, a t-shirt, and a hoodie in case she was still cold when she got out. Then, thinking about it, I got a brush and put it on the pile outside the bathroom door.

I’d been smart when I’d had the plumbing updated. My parents’ house was freaking awesome and had enough space for all of us to live comfortably. However, if one person was in the shower, no one could turn on a faucet or use the water at all. Having experienced it almost every time I showered, I swear I had some sort of PTSD from it.

The first time it happened during your shower, you’d get ice cold water sprayed over you. For some reason, the second time someone did it, you’d get the complete opposite and end up in agony as the hottest water available in the pipes rained over you.

So, it went without saying that my one stipulation to the plumber was for that not to be an issue in my house. Granted, I was living in it on my own, but with assholes for brothers and a best friend, I needed the guarantee I wouldn’t be either iced down or rained upon by the fountain of Hell.

This also meant that I could get into the other shower at the same time as Addy and wash off all the mud.

As I was pulling on sweats and a clean t-shirt, the solution to the picnic problem hit me, and I hoped Addy needed a little longer in the shower while I got it all set up.

For once today, nothing went wrong. In fact, it all went according to plan.

Chapter Five

Addy

It felt wrong wearing a hoodie in Florida, but with the air conditioning on in Marcus’s house and my hair hanging wet around my shoulders, it was a must. Not only was I cold, but my bra had been soaked and covered in mud, so I hadn’t been able to put it back on. This meant my nipples were pointing the way forward and were also refusing to go down. The whores.

Making my way down the stairs, I was about to ask him for a bag to put my dirty clothes in when I stopped, mouth open, and took in the living room.

We’d only quickly walked through it earlier, but I was sure I’d have noticed candles in glass jars burning around a fluffy white duvet, with pillows and cushions stacked around the food set up on it, and what looked like a mini teepee with fairy lights set up at the end of it. He’d also closed every blind and curtain, so the only light in the room was coming from them and the candles.

“Wow,” I breathed, looking around the place and noticing he had a fireplace with more candles in it. “This looks awesome.”

“I figured lighting the fire would be too hot, but there are blankets if you need them with the air conditioning.” He pointed at the chunky knitted ones he’d put next to the setup. “And the teepee’s my niece’s. She’s only tiny, but I saw it online and bought it for when she comes to visit.”

A warm feeling grew inside me at the realization this large man, who drove a bike, had a jacked-up truck, and who dealt with horses all day, had a little girl in his life that he loved enough to think of when he was shopping online.

“It’s beautiful,” I said honestly, smiling at him. “Won’t your niece be pissed about the teepee?”

“Babe, she’s two years old.”

“And that means she doesn’t get disappointed?”

Shrugging, he shook his head. “Fuck if I know, but she’ll likely be more excited when she sees it all set up for her here than she would be if I’d left it in the box in pieces.”

He had a point.

Moving onto the duvet, I looked from the food to the white fabric. “Is it a good idea to have food like that on the duvet?” Then, seeing the type of food waiting, I added, “Are you even allowed any of that?”

Before my brain could register what he was doing, he lunged and picked me up bridal style, then carried me across the bedding and gently placed me down.

“To answer your first question: yes, it’s perfectly fine. Mom taught us how to bleach and do laundry like pros, so I’m sure I can clean the duvet cover if we drop any food on it. If the stain doesn’t come out, I’ll buy a new one without needing guidance or assistance.”