I held back a laugh, and the light in Macon’s eyes danced. Of course, it would be about the cats.
I let my hand fall, and Macon kissed me softly, just a chaste peck before going back to the stove where he had eggs cooking and toast in the toaster oven.
“Eggs and toast?” I asked.
“We already ate ours. This is for you. I’m taking the kittens and Mama Cat back to my office today, and then we’ll see about some more permanent accommodations.”
“You mean here, right?” Joshua asked, a smile on his face.
“Joshua, darling…”
“I know. They can’t stay here because we are renting, and it’s not our house, and we’re never home. But I still want to be able to visit.”
“I’m sure we can find a way,” Macon said before I could speak up. I gave Macon a look, but he shrugged.
“We haven’t found Mama Cat’s owners, so it looks like you’re looking at them.”
I shook my head, my heart breaking and shattering in happiness.
He was just too good for me. And I had no idea why I thought that.
He wasn’t too good for me. I couldn’t let myself believe that I was less than.
And yet, it was all I could do not to lean into him and beg him to stay.
So, I wouldn’t. After all, I didn’t even know what I wanted for sure.
“Okay, well, it seems that you guys have everything worked out.”
“We do. And I’m going to drop this kiddo off at school before I head to work like usual, and you are going to go open up the shop so I can have all the coffee.”
“Jason and Pop are opening today. I’m closing.”
“Myra’s picking him up from school?” Macon asked, and I nodded, taking a bite of toast. It was like we were husband and wife, talking about our son and the day’s plans.
I still wasn’t sure how this had happened, or really what I felt about it, but I wasn’t going to bite my nose off to spite my face. Nor would I run away simply because I was scared. I was done running.
I just needed to make sure that my family was safe. And that meant keeping an eye on Joshua at all times.
I leaned down and kissed Joshua on the top of the head, and then kissed Macon on the cheek.
“I should go.”
“Hold on,” he said, then made a little sandwich, stuffed it into a baggy, and handed it to me.
“Eat. You’re going to need all the caffeine and protein you can get today.”
I blushed, thinking about exactly why I was exhausted. I nearly swooned at the memories.
Damn, this man.
I cleared my throat and ignored his knowing gaze. “Are you sure you can handle this morning?”
“I’ve got this, Dakota. You can trust me.”
I looked at him and smiled. “I know I can.”
Something crossed his gaze, and I wasn’t sure what it was. Was it pride? Or disbelief?
I didn’t know, but I knew I had said the right thing.
I said goodbye to my boys, and the cats, and made my way to work.
By the time I made it through traffic to the Boulder Bean, the place was packed.
“Early morning rush started a bit early,” Pop said as she rushed to the back.
I nodded in hello without saying a word, washed my hands, put on my apron, and got to work. I missed opening, but without my babysitters, the others had stepped in, and I had to learn to give in. Jason operated the front, and I worked on orders. We all traded responsibilities often, but I was the fastest at filling orders, Jason was the quickest at taking them, and Pop the best at making sure we had everything we needed. We would likely switch out once the rush was over, with me going back to bake, and Pop and Jason trading places. But for now, this worked.
I barely had time to think of Macon and our relationship, of Joshua’s day at school, or the pact with my friends.
The only thing that even hinted at crossing my mind and invading my bubble of bliss was Adam.
But he had always been able to do that. And I hated that he could.
However, I planned to do my best not to let him ruin everything in my life. He had given me the best part of it—Joshua—and I had to remember that.
“Dakota, the school’s on the line for you.”
I looked over at Pop and frowned, even as a sense of foreboding slid down my body. Chills wracked me, and I swallowed hard, trying to piece together what she was saying.
“The school?”
Pop took the mug and order from me and nodded. “It sounded urgent. Maybe he has a tummy bug?”
I swallowed hard, wiping my hands on my apron as I went to pick up the call on the office phone. I looked in my pocket and realized I had missed three calls on my cell. I nearly threw up.
“Hello? This is Dakota Bristol.”
“Mrs. Bristol, I need you to sit down,” the woman said, and I nearly passed out. I recognized her voice. Was she the counselor? Or maybe the principal. I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t think.
“What-what’s going on? Is Joshua okay?”
“Mrs. Bristol…”
“It’s Ms.” I cursed. “That’s not important. What’s wrong with my son? Where is he?”
A pause. “We’re unsure, ma’am.”
The floor fell out from under my feet, and a scream echoed in my ears.
My scream.
Chapter 17
Macon
I sat there holding the woman as she wept in my arms, her whole body shaking.
“I’m so sorry, Mrs. Roth.”
“I’m sorry, too, but he has to be okay.”
I nodded, knowing that Coco still had more time. But this wasn’t easy. Coco was the sweetest and most precious pug I had ever met. With wide eyes and a sunny disposition. And at even seven years old, it seemed far too young. But he had determination and resilience, and we were going to do everything we could.
The problem was, Mrs. Roth had cancer herself, and the
