The Wanted Short Stories (Wanted 5.5)

“Text me. I need to take a quick shower and get applesauce out of my hair.”

Gunner started laughing, and then he kept laughing, so I hung up on his ass and jogged into the house. Heather was standing at the kitchen island. She was talking to Will and Libby as they ate Goldfish pretzels.

She looked at me and smiled. “Will here wants to give it another go on the potty.”

I smiled and shook my head. “No way, little man. It’s almost bedtime.”

Will made a face while Libby gave me that look that melted my heart and made me want to give her anything she asked for.

Not tonight, little one.

I looked at Heather and smiled. “Princess, I need you to pack us a bag with enough stuff for three days.”

Her smile faded, and her body slumped. “Josh, it’s so hard to travel with them.”

I looked down at the two little devils as they glanced back and forth between Heather and me. I leaned down and kissed them each on the head. Then, I turned back to Heather. “It’s just you and me.”

“What? Oh God, if you’re kidding with me right now, I’m totally cutting your ass off for two weeks!”

I laughed. “Let me jump in the shower and get the applesauce out of my hair. Then, I’ll help with getting them ready for bed.”

Heather let out a little scream and jumped into my arms, which only led Libby to scream in excitement. Will used the moment to take his bowl of Goldfish and toss it across the island.

“We so need this,” Heather said, holding on to me tightly.

“God, I know. Um…baby, you need a shower, too. You have applesauce in your hair.”

I pulled up and parked outside the Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast, and Heather let out a sigh.

“Oh my gosh, it is so darling.” She spun around and smiled. “Let’s go!”

I jumped out of my truck and jogged around to the other side where I opened Heather’s door. She had packed a small suitcase for us, so I grabbed it from the backseat and then took her hand in mine.

After we walked in, we were greeted by Lisa, the owner of the bed-and-breakfast. “Josh and Heather, it’s such a pleasure to meet you both.”

Heather extended her hand. “Thank you so much for having us.”

Lisa smiled. “Where are y’all from?”

“Fredericksburg,” I said before thinking.

Lisa’s smile faded for a quick second before returning. “Oh. Well…”

“We have three-year-old twins,” I added.

Lisa nodded her head. “Oh, honey. This is your retreat for the next three days. I’m at your service for whatever you need.”

Heather and I both let out a small chuckle.

“I’ve been told your breakfast is the most amazing thing we will ever eat,” I said.

Lisa’s face lit up. “Why, yes, it is. You’ll find out tomorrow morning.”

Heather peeked at me through her eyelashes. I was pretty sure we were both thinking the same thing. There was no way in hell I would be getting up in time for breakfast tomorrow.

“Let me show you to your room. Now, your friend booked the Magnolia Suite. That is our most romantic room. You have a private entrance, so you can come and go as you see fit.”

When Lisa opened the door Heather let out a soft gasp.