“I bet you make lots of money,” Cadence said. “You could buy an American Girl doll if you wanted. Maybe even two.”
He had no idea what that was but asked, “Do you have an American Girl doll?”
Cadence shook her head. “No. Mommy says I can get Tenney on my next birthday. Harper wants one, too. She wants Felicity. I have the paper dolls, Mr. Wynn. I can show them to you. And Mommy reads me American Girl books. Do you want to read to me when we get home?”
“I’d like that, Cadence,” he said, imagining the little girl climbing into his lap as he read a story to her. Warmth enveloped him.
“It’s late. What did you have for dinner?” Scarlett asked.
As the two children talked about eating pizza and singing with London and playing games with Knox, Wynn thought what it would be like to have children of his own.
With Scarlett.
Seeing how contented she looked with little Madison Monroe in her arms, he knew she would be a natural. Once again, it surprised him that he hadn’t thought of marriage or children until Scarlett sailed into his life.
And now he couldn’t think of a life without her.
Scarlett retrieved her cell phone and told Wynn she would look over the contracts and forward them to Henry Lymon, the attorney that would step in for her tomorrow. He let the kids ask him questions about Carbon Man and all of the other friends in the Alpha Tharra Universe while Scarlett reviewed the legal documents. They arrived at the Corrigans’ house and Scarlett received cheers when she said the children could skip their baths tonight since it was getting late. Wynn was put in charge of getting Kyle ready for bed as Scarlett went off with Cadence to do the same.
Once Kyle had dressed for bed, Wynn bit back a smile as he saw Kyle wore Carbon Man pajamas. It was mildly embarrassing seeing his own face staring back at him.
“Do you ever go on set with your dad?” he asked as Kyle combed his hair and readied his toothbrush with toothpaste.
“Sometimes. He tells us it’s all pretend. Even the blood. I’ve watched the FX guys mix it up.” A shadow crossed Kyle’s face.
Wynn put an arm around the young boy. “You’re remembering your dad today?”
“Yeah. That blood was real.” He sniffed. “I thought . . . I thought Daddy was gonna die.”
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around Wynn’s waist and began sobbing. Wynn let him cry it out, a little boy who’d put on a brave face all day. Spent, Kyle wiped his eyes with the back of his hands.
“Feel better?” he asked.
Kyle nodded.
“That doesn’t get you out of brushing your teeth,” he cautioned.
A sweet smile lit Kyle’s face. “You’re really nice, Mr. Wynn. Are you Auntie Scarlett’s boyfriend?”
Wynn nodded. “I am. She may not have figured that out yet.”
Kyle looked startled. “But she’s so smart.”
“I know. That’s one of the things I like about her.” He smoothed Kyle’s hair. “I’m not going anywhere. I like your aunt. A lot. A whole lot.”
Kyle thought a moment. “Do you love her?”
Wynn spoke truthfully. “I do. I haven’t told her yet so keep that under your hat.”
The boy frowned. “I’m not wearing a hat.”
“It’s an expression. It means keep it quiet. Keep it a secret for now. Just between you and me.”
“Oh, okay.” Kyle picked up his toothbrush and cleaned his teeth.
When he finished, Wynn said, “Let’s go see if Cadence is ready.”
“I’ll show you her room,” Kyle said. “It’s all pink. That’s a girl color.” Taking Wynn’s hand, Kyle led him down the hallway.
When Cadence spied Wynn, she twirled, her bubblegum pink nightgown swirling around her.
“I like those fuzzy pink socks,” Wynn said. “I may have to get me some.” He glanced to Kyle. “Even if it’s a girl color.”
“Let’s call Mommy and Daddy,” Cadence said. She ran to her dresser and picked up a pink iPad and then scrambled onto her bed. “Come on, everybody,” she demanded.
“Wait a minute, Cadence,” Scarlett cautioned. “First, we need to talk about something important.”
Wynn wondered what would be more important than talking to their dad and being reassured Rhett was okay.
Scarlett knelt and took both children’s hand in hers. “I know it was very scary to see your daddy get hurt today.”
Cadence sniffled and nodded. Kyle’s bottom lip poked out.
“The doctors at the hospital really helped fix him but it’s going to take some time for him to feel all better.”
“Does he still feel bad now?” Kyle asked.
“Probably,” she said truthfully, surprising Wynn. “He still looks a little banged up. And he has a bandage on his head so don’t be scared when you see that. The doctors put it there, just like when you skin your knee and Mommy puts a bandage on it.”
“I get Carbon Man Band-Aids,” Kyle said, grinning at Wynn, who grinned back.
“Well, the hospital didn’t have any Carbon Man ones,” Scarlett pointed out.
“Then maybe Mr. Wynn can get one for Daddy’s head,” said Cadence, looking at him hopefully.
Knowing no bandage with a Carbon Man image would be large enough for the bullet that grazed Rhett’s head, Wynn said, “Hospital doctors use special bandages that will make your daddy get better in no time so he better use the ones they gave him.”
Both children nodded, accepting his response.
“Okay, let’s call your daddy now,” Scarlett said.
The four of them settled on the bed, Scarlett and Wynn leaning against an array of pillows and Kyle and Cadence sitting in their laps. Without being told what to do, Cadence fired up her tablet and pressed the screen with dizzying speed. Suddenly, Cassie and Rhett appeared.
“Mommy! Daddy!” the little girl cried gleefully.
“Hi,” Kyle said shyly, leaning close to his sister.
Rhett looked tired and vulnerable but Wynn watched a transformation come over him as he began speaking with his kids. This wasn’t acting. Seeing his children caused Rhett to perk up, drawing strength from just the sight of them. He and Cassie
