Southern Devotion (Southern Heart 4)
“I know, but the risk and the reward.” I offer her a smile. She just shakes her head and goes into the house.
I’m shooting the shit with the guys, watching the time. Just as I pull my phone out to call my parents, they pull in. Carson is out of the van and rushing to play basketball with Crystal hot on his heels. Dad carries a sleeping Cade, Mom trailing behind him.
“I’ll take him.” I stand from my spot on the step and take my son. He’s sweaty from sleep, but he doesn’t move a muscle. He’s out.
“Where do you want this food?” Mom asks.
“I’ll take it over to the barn,” Evan says, following her back to the van with Aaron right behind him.
“What else needs done?” Dad asks me.
“We need to bring the food from inside over to the barn, and then we wait on Liv.”
“She has no idea?” he asks.
“None at all. At least if she does, she’s hidden it really well.” I know my wife, and if she even thought I might be planning something, she would have been asking questions, trying to be all nonchalant and failing miserably.
Cade stirs in my arms, and I rub his back to soothe him. I was scared as hell when Carson was born. A tiny little human who was my responsibility. It was up to me and Olivia to give him everything he needed. It took us a couple of weeks, but we got into a groove and never looked back. By the time Crystal came along, the only fear I had was being able to love another child the way I loved Carson. It was crazy and irrational, but real all the same, until we had our first ultrasound and I realized my fear was unwarranted. I love all three of my kids with everything I am. If my wife were to ever be pregnant again, I would love that child just the same.
Mom comes over and takes Cade from me so I can help transfer all the food. Once we have it all done, the guys park their vehicles behind the barn and load everyone up on the hay wagon. Once they’re gone, I call my wife.
“Hey, you. I’m just leaving.”
“Great. I brought the kids over to your parents.’”
“Really?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah, your mom called and said she made cookies, so we stopped by.” That’s not a complete lie. My mother-in-law did make cookies for the kids. I, on the other hand, bought a small anniversary cake.
“Okay, well I’ll just come there. Be there in ten.”
“Be safe, babe.” I hang up and text Mike, telling him she’s on her way.
When I pull into Mom and Dad’s, David is sitting on the front steps. I park behind his truck and climb out of my SUV. “Hey, you,” I say.
He stands and meets me midway down the sidewalk, wrapping me in a hug and kissing the corner of my mouth. “How was your day?”
“Good. Where are the kids?”
“Oh, your mom and dad took them for a walk.”
“Huh.” It’s not the craziest thing that’s happened, but it’s odd.
“Yeah, what do you say we hop on the Gator and drive back to our field?”
“Our field?” I ask.
“Yep. Ten years ago tomorrow, you promised me forever.” He pulls me closer to him.
Resting my hands on his chest, I look up at him and wait until I have his full attention before saying, “I love you more today than I did that day.”
“Look at you getting all sweet and sentimental,” he teases.
“You ruined the moment.” I laugh when he tickles my side.
“Come on, wife, let’s go take a look at where it all began.”
“I should go say hi to the kids first.” I try to step out of his hold, but he’s got a tight grip.