"You don't need to know what boidheach means right now. I'll tell you when I think you do." Killian continued to stare intently down at Birdie.
Kresley, Francie, Gertie and Grace’s jaws were gaping open at this display and they looked at each other, speechless. Francie mouthed, “what the hell?” while Grace elbowed her in the boob to hush her.
Cade, Boomer, Ash and Braxton stood there, hands in their pockets or arms crossed over their massive chests, grinning. They seemed to be enjoying the awkward moment.
Birdie cleared her throat, pushed Killian’s hand away from her and stated to the room at large, “I’m heading out to grab some packing tape. I think we’re about out. Jaxson, do you want to go with Auntie B? We won’t be gone long.”
Jaxson yelled yes from the bedroom, and walked out holding a red lace scrap of material in his hand. “Hey, I found this under the bed. What’s this mama? It’s gotta string in back.” All the adults stared at Jaxson with varying degrees of horror or hilarity as he tried to put the red material over his head and face.
Kresley ran across the room, grabbing it from Jaxson and pushed it in her pocket. “That’s Aunt KK’s, sweetie. Just a dust rag, nothing more. Where are your toys you brought? Didn’t you bring that coloring book that you and I were working in the other day? Why don’t you finish up that pretty picture you were coloring? I want to put it on Uncle Cade’s fridge so we can see it every day.” Kres had to speak louder during the last half since the guys were laughing hard and loudly. The girls were gasping for air, snorting and giggling.
“Oh my gosh, you should see your face, Kres. Oh my, where’s my phone. I need to take a pic!”, Grace stated, laughing so hard she fell down on the floor. Boomer immediately went over to her and picked her up right off the floor, holding her by her waist, propped on his side and hip. He held her just like a rag doll. “Put me down Walker! I’m not a prop!”
“Walker, huh? Interesting. Very interesting”, Francie purred, sliding looks to her sisters. Grace scowled at her and swished her legs back and forth, making it look like she was trying to run in the air. Jaxson could be heard laughing at his mama’s predicament from the other side of the room. Boomer continued to hold her for a second longer, then deposited her on one of the kitchen stools and walked back to the bedroom, without saying one word.
Taking a deep breath, Kresley stated, “Okay, everyone back to work. Birdie, we have plenty of packing tape, so no trips to abandon us. No lunch, no free dessert, and no anything later tonight if we don’t get this stuff done!” Kresley looked pointedly at Cade during that last statement. Cade looked at her for a few long seconds, and seeing her eyes narrowed, took her seriously and abruptly clapped his hands as if to get everyone back to work. He came by her on his way back to the bedroom, bent her over his arm, and kissed her roughly, deeply. His tongue entered her mouth and took possession, moving in and out as if he were making love to it. The kiss only lasted for a few long, heated moments, but Kresley felt like it was forever. Cade brought her back upright and pushed his fingers through her long hair, following the strands down to the tips where it rested on her butt. He murmured beautiful, then turned around to head back to packing.
Braxton called after Cade, laughing “Cade, man, you are so whipped.” As he followed behind Cade, Braxton paused to wink at Gertie for a second, asking, “Gertie, do you need a ride home after this? I’m off shift now and if you didn’t bring your car, I can drop you off.”
Kresley looked over at Gertie, wincing as she prepared for Gertie to awkwardly shove Braxton’s helpful suggestion back at him. She was shocked when she heard her say, “thanks Braxton, that would be kind of you. Do you mind stopping with me at the hardware store after? I want to replace the locks on my house and add an extra dead bolt. Figured I could buy everything there.”
“Sure Gert. I don’t mind stopping with you. I can even install them for you on one of my off days if you want.” Gertie nodded to him and then quietly went back to packing up the kitchen. Braxton headed back into the bedroom to help Cade pack boxes.
Ash was the only man left in the kitchen, but he was texting on his phone and didn’t notice at first. There was a frown on his face and he seemed oblivious to everything around him.
“You okay, Ash? You look annoyed over there”, Francie stated, looking at him from the corner of her eye as she packed a bubble wrapped picture frame. Kresley could tell that Francie was trying so hard not to look at Ash at all, to pretend that he wasn’t even there. “A girlfriend stood you up, or cancelled something?”
“What? Oh, no, that’s not it. I don’t have a girlfriend Francie Pants, but thanks for showing such interest in my personal life," Ash said with a wink and stunning smile. "It’s my sister. Just some family stuff going on. So, where are we eating lunch?”, Ash asked nonchalantly as he pocketed his cell phone and looked around at the women, trying to avoid staring too long at Francie.
“I believe Cade wants to try that new deli shop. I hear they have amazing cakes and pies. We’ll be heading that way soon I think”, Kresley
