Wood Worked

“So you deserve a good night’s rest, with or without Raphael.”

“I know, but I just got it in my head that I’d sleep better with someone next to me, and—”

“So sleep next to me.”

“What?” Her blue eyes went blank as she stared at me.

“I’ve got a long, warm body to prop you up with.”

“Yeah, but won’t Raphael…” She trailed off.

“Did he call dibs? Big spoon for life?”

“No, but—”

“Do you want to sleep next to me?”

“Yes, but—”

“Then the offer stands.”

She looked a little shell shocked. Personally, I didn’t see how it was any different sleeping next to me than Raphael. That is, unless she had feelings for my brother-in-law.

Finally, she nodded. “Yeah, that would be great if you could sleep down here with me.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding. “Actually, I thought we could use my room. Less chance of the twins spotting us and asking awkward questions.”

“All right.” She bit her lip, and I would’ve given a great deal to know what she was thinking.

“Great. I’ll go get ready and be back in about ten minutes to carry you up, okay?”

“Okay.” Suddenly, she seemed to get over whatever inner qualm she had about the situation, and she gave me a beautiful smile. “Looking forward to it.”

Falling asleep with Lyss pressed against me was incredible. She was so soft and warm in my arms. Despite her much shorter height, she fit well against me. We slotted together like the pieces in a two-piece puzzle.

To me, it felt both familiar and unfamiliar. Familiar because for a couple of amazing years, I’d shared a bed with my wonderful wife. And unfamiliar because I hadn’t shared the bed with anyone besides the occasional child scared from a nightmare since.

Ever since Alyssa arrived, I’d been reminded that though I was a single dad, that didn’t mean I couldn’t have any social life. I was only in my early thirties. Perhaps I wasn’t destined to grow old alone after the twins moved out. But those revelations were hard to catch hold of. They tended to fade away like a dream when life got busy or stressful. Still, Lyss gave me hope, and that was something else I’d forever be grateful for.

Usually, I toss and turn at night, but in the morning, my arm was still wrapped around Alyssa’s waist, and she was still nestled against me. God, she felt good. A little too good. Sometimes I woke up with morning wood, and with her sweet ass pressed up against me, it was a given on a day like today.

But I soon found out that wasn’t what woke me. “Wake up,” a deep voice said—one that was decidedly different than Lyss’s. I blinked and shook her shoulder, pretty sure that whatever had brought my brother-in-law to my room this early might affect her, too.

“Are the kids okay?” It took effort to keep the rising panic at bay.

“They’re fine,” Raphael said, but in the early morning light from the windows, I could see that his mouth was set in a stiff, thin line. Surely Lyss must see it for what it was, too—disapproval. “It’s Nana,” he said, this time not looking at us. “She fell and might’ve broken her hip. An ambulance is on its way.”

21

Alyssa

Steaks sizzled on the grill as Spencer stood over them. The smell was heavenly. Even the twins thought so. Instead of playing down in the yard, they were up here on the deck, taking turns swinging in the hammock.

Raphael was inside, preparing some side dishes, so I took this time to remind Spencer of his primary directive. “Remember, if Rafe comes out here with any kind of seasoning or spices, what are you to do?”

“Stab him with a barbecue fork,” Spencer said. “I heard you the first dozen times.”

“Just checking.”

The approaching night air felt good on my skin. The grill and the heat lamp in the corner kept it from getting too chilly. Leaning back in the patio chair with my feet up on another one, I was as happy as a soon-to-be-steak-fed clam. Part of that was because Nana was doing well. She was still in the hospital, but she’d soon be moved to an assisted living center. It was the same one where the twins sometimes volunteered, so they’d be going to visit her as soon as she got there.

Raphael brought some plates out to the table and then paused to check out the action at the grill. I kept a watchful eye on him, but he didn’t appear to have any spices hidden on him. “Looks good,” he said. Then he nudged Spencer and jerked his head to the right. I followed his gaze and saw Flynn walking this way. “I thought the smell of steaks might bring him over.”

Spencer nodded.

The twins were glad to see their other uncle and immediately recruited him for pushing them both on the hammock, which seemed to double as a swing set. “Evening,” Flynn said, vaguely in my direction.