Tackling Tobias (Big Sky Universe)

"Be careful. Don't get yourself in an accident rushing to get there."

"Of course. Boys, be good and give me a hug." He looks up at me and shakes his head, pointing to them and mouthing don’t say anything.

"Okay." He rushes out and down the stairs before I can close the door. I pray everything will turn out well.

"Miss Ava, Miss Ava. Are you and Uncle Toby getting married?"

"I don't think so."

"Daddy said that Uncle Toby is a lost cause."

"Is that so?" she asks them and then looks up at me. I shrug my shoulders and turn my hands up. It's the truth.

"Well, how about them pancakes?"

"I love pancakes. So does Uncle Toby. Come on, Miss Ava."

"It's Auntie Ava now, silly," the older one says. These kids are getting a lot of pancakes today. I love the way they're thinking. I can't wait to get a ring on her finger. I lean against the door jamb with my arms folded and watch them around the island, preparing pancakes. The little one sits on the granite, while the older one uses a chair to stand on while helping mix the batter. It's like picturing our own children with Ava cooking as a happy little family. Her eyes lift up and I give her my best smile. Thankfully, she returns it. This is a spontaneous babysitting gig, and I'm not sure how she feels about it.

"Okay, boys. Thank you for your help. Now, go wash up and I'll get these cooking."

"They follow your every command."

"I have a way with boys," she winks.

I close the distance, sliding around next to her and say, "A way with men too." Stealing a kiss, I love the way she leans up into it. "Thank you for being wonderful. I know this isn't how you planned to spend your day."

"It's no big deal. What happened?"

"Louisa's parents were in an accident last night. They're on the way to the hospital."

"Oh no. I pray that they're going to pull through."

"We're done," the big one cheers, entering the kitchen and pulling out a chair for the little one.

"We only need five more minutes." She's already managed to make four pancakes at once. Now she's using a ladle to scoop out another four.

"Let me get the plates and the syrup out. Who wants to help me? They both jump up. I pull out the kids’ plates I keep stored for them and my nephews when they come over, then their special smaller forks.

"Can I have milk with my pancakes?"

"Of course. How about you?"

"Me too."

"And you, my dear chef. Would you care for some milk?"

"I would very much care for some coffee."

"Smart woman. I will have coffee and milk today." I head over and pour her a cup from the pot that just finished brewing. I take the plate of pancakes and dish one on each of the boys’ plates and two on ours. We let them do their own syrup, which is a sticky mess, but we want them to be happy and not think about why their mommy was crying.

Shortly everything is set up on the table like nothing is amiss. Once breakfast is over, they insist on helping Ava load the dishwasher. After the mess is cleaned up, I lead the boys into the bathroom to wash their hands and faces. "Alas, there are those handsome faces again. Let's go keep Auntie Ava company so she'll make us food later." I wink at them and they agree, running out to go check on Auntie Ava.

Chapter 8

Ava

The day with Tobias and the boys had been wonderful. He’d make a great father. I’m on my last pack of pills, so I must go to the nearest clinic and retrieve more. The thought of having Tobias’s children flood my mind. It’s silly, but after seeing the way he played with them, I can imagine a life with him. I clean the dishes after a late lunch. The boys fell asleep on the sofa.

I stare at the sweet scene before me. Tobias senses me and turns. “Beautiful,” he mouths.

“Thank you,” I utter lightly, coming over to the chair and taking a seat. I just took a shower since we didn’t get a chance to when the boys came this morning. I let Tobias go ahead of me because I wanted to clean up the kitchen.

His phone goes off on the table, so he picks it up before it wakes the boys.

“John’s calling,” he whispers, nudging the little one and scooting him onto the sofa. “One second,” he says into the phone. Kissing my forehead, he leaves for a few minutes. When he comes back in he’s not smiling, and I brace myself for the bad news. I might not know Louisa’s parents, but I know how much she loves them.

“Long road, but they’re going to make it.” He tucks his phone in his back pocket and then pulls me into his arms.