Southern Desire (Southern Heart 2)

“She loves them, but would rather have p-a-n-c-a-k-e-s. That’s her favorite.”

I smile over at Lexi. She really is a cute kid. Walker cries from the living room and Aaron is on his feet. “I got him,” he calls over his shoulder.

“Thank you for having me,” I tell his parents to break the silence.

“You’re always welcome here,” his dad says.

Aaron walks in, holding Walker to his chest. The baby is no longer crying now that he’s in his uncle’s arms. I know how he feels. We finish breakfast with light conversation, mostly led by Lexi. I help Aaron’s mom clean up, even though she tells me not to. “That’s the least I can do,” I tell her. Just as I’m wiping down the counter, Aaron enters the room, freshly showered.

“I texted Evan and told him I was bringing the kids home. He said they were on their way over, so it’s good timing.”

“Let me gather up their things,” his mom says, fluttering out of the kitchen.

“You smell better,” I tease him, leaning back against the counter.

“Yeah?” he asks, caging me in, his hands gripping the counter on either side of me.

“Uh-huh.”

Aaron leans down and kisses me; it’s soft and sweet and way too short. A throat clearing has my eyes going wide, causing Aaron to throw his head back in laughter. “Hey, Ma,” he says, backing away from me.

She chuckles. “All set.” Aaron takes Walker in his seat from her, draping two bags over his shoulder.

“Ready, Lex?” he asks.

I stand frozen in place, watching this man with his family. His mom just caught us kissing. My face flames further with my embarrassment. “You kids have a good day. Lexi, give me one more hug,” his mom says, holding her arms open.

“Me too,” his dad calls from the living room. Lexi giggles and runs off to pass out another hug. Not a minute later, she comes back into the kitchen and grabs my hand. I smile down at her, thank his mom again, and we’re out the door.

“You want to drive my truck or the SUV?” he asks.

I look over at his big-ass truck. “SUV.”

He laughs, which also causes Lexi to dissolve into a fit of giggles. Once he gets her calmed down and strapped in, he double-checks her belt and Walker’s seat before closing the door. “See you soon.” He opens the door for me. Climbing in, I adjust the seat. Aaron is still standing there with the door open. “Seat belt.” I roll my eyes playfully, but reach for the belt. I never drive without it, but it’s weird strapping in with the door still open. Satisfied that we’re all secure, he leans in and kisses me softly. “Drive safe.”

“My want kiss!” Lexi says from the backseat. Aaron grins, shuts my door, and then opens hers to give her a kiss.

Evan and McKinley are sitting on the front porch when we pull up. Aaron unstraps Lex and she runs up on the porch to her parents. He then grabs Walker. “I can get those,” I say as he grabs the bags. He steps back, allowing me to reach in and grab them. I follow him. We reach the porch just as Lexi finishes telling her mom and dad that, and I quote, “Me and hers got kisses.” Evan and McKinley are laughing, my face is flaming, and Aaron is smirking.

“Give me my baby.” Kinley laughs. Aaron hands him over.

“Thanks for the ride. We’re heading out. Lex, I need some love,” he tells his niece. She, of course, obliges him with a big hug and a smacking wet kiss to the cheek. She surprises me when she holds her arms out to me. I take her and she gives me the same. My heart melts. Evan takes her from me, and then we’re leaving. Aaron reaches over and grabs my hand, lacing our fingers together, resting them on the center console. “Laundry.” He grins.

How am I supposed to keep my heart locked up with that smile?

Tomorrow is going to be a hard day for her. I can only hope that what I have planned makes it better. Helps her begin to heal. Two weeks ago, when Whit cried in my arms and told me her mom’s birthday was coming up, I knew I needed to plan something.

“Hello,” I say as soon as my phone rings.

“Hi, I’m at the city limit sign,” Jamie says.

“Great,” I whisper.

“Is she there?” She laughs.

“Yeah, but I walked outside. Claiming work. You’re about ten minutes out. Text me when you pull in.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

I hang up the phone, make sure I turn it to vibrate only, and slide it back into my pocket. The day after Whit told me about tomorrow, we were doing laundry—well, she was. I was making every effort to distract her with kisses. Regardless, when she was in the shower, I might have grabbed her phone that she just checked so it was unlocked. I went straight to her contacts and took a picture of Jamie’s number. When I went home that night, I called her. I asked her to come up this weekend for a camping trip. She readily agreed. After that, I hit up Mike and Olivia. I know she wishes she was spending more time with them; that is why she moved here, after all. They were both on board. Mike is even taking a night off from the bar. My next step was Kinley and Evan. They, of course, were all for it as well.

After some sneaking and planning, we’re here. Tonight the girls are going to stay here with us, at my parents.’ They are going to take Kinley’s old room. Jamie has assured me this will be fine with Whit. Olivia reinforced it with her approval as well, stating that the girls are going to want time to catch up. I know I could have had them stay at her place, but selfishly, I want her here.

Tomorrow evening, we are all going out to the pond to camp, swim, and just hang out. We all want to be there for her.

Evan and McKinley are here with the kids, a good distraction for Whit. She’s currently holding Walker as she and Kinley talk about how adorable he is when he gives them a toothy smile as he sleeps. He’s a cute little guy for sure.

I sit on the edge of the couch beside her. I gather her hair and move it behind her shoulder. She looks up at me and smiles and my chest tightens. When she looks at me like that, I feel like I’m invincible. My phone vibrates and I know it’s Jamie. “I’m going to grab a water. Anyone want anything?” Everyone here knows what’s going on; well, except for Lexi. Can’t trust that little bugger with my secret.

“No, thank you,” Whit says, not taking her eyes off Walker.

Leaning down, I kiss the top of her head, stand, and walk out of the room. I make my way to the door and Jamie is standing there, a smile on her face. Quietly, I step out on the porch.