Seeing Bessy running to her seat at the table makes me smile. This little girl looks like the sun shines wherever she is, just from the way her face lights up.
“That would be amazing. Not that I have anything with me, but just to splash my face would be great.”
Kurt says, “I have a bag for us with some things that Jodie packed for you. It won’t be perfect but better than nothing. Remember, I was planning to leave, you just brought that plan forward on me.” Smiling down at me, Kurt pulls me from the stool, and we follow behind Ghost.
Kurt thinks of everything.
Standing in the little bathroom, after washing my face, cleaning my teeth, brushing my hair, and putting deodorant on, I feel like a new woman. There will be time later for a shower, I’m sure, once we go to the cabin, but for now this was perfect.
Kurt stands behind me, not taking his eyes off me the whole time.
“Are you okay?” I ask, looking at him in the mirror.
“Yeah, baby, I am. Just a little shocked. I had no idea Ghost was married and had kids. He never said a word to me. Just left the field about six years ago and was my handler from a remote location. Never said why, and then one day not long after I left the agency, he told me he did too but that he would always be there for me. We kept in touch, and he gave me updates on your parents every so often,” he says, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. At the mention of my parents, I lay my head back on his chest.
“I’m sure there is a good explanation that he will tell you when he’s ready. Just remember it seems to be the world we live in, where secrets are for a good reason.”
“Just once it would be nice to imagine a life without them, though, don’t you think?” I can see the last few weeks have taken a toll on him.
“It’s what I dream about every single night. Now let’s go eat before Ghost and Cassie get the wrong idea about what we’re doing in here.”
His groan makes me giggle. “Don’t give me ideas.”
As he kisses me on the neck, my skin tingles and a shiver runs down my body. “Hold that thought until we reach the cabin. Because I might like those ideas.”
“You’re wicked,” Kurt whispers in my ear and then takes it gently between his teeth and gives it a little bite, sending sparks to the parts of me that are already needing attention.
Pushing him backwards with my body, I say, “Move, now! Otherwise, we won’t be making it out of here any time soon.”
“You always ruin all the fun.”
“Not always,” I say as I walk out in front of him, swaying my hips just that little bit more than usual.
“Stop it.” A little swat on the ass from Kurt has me laughing and heating up at the same time.
Watching Cassie flit around the kitchen while managing both kids is something to aspire to. Her long wavy brown hair that floats around her as she moves, setting off her olive skin, it’s not hard to see where Bessy gets her big brown eyes from.
My heart longs for that time in my life when Kurt and I will be able to have this, a life together, not filled with fear and constantly watching over our shoulder. A calm place to bring children into the world.
“Okay, finally the monsters are fed, and we can sit and hopefully eat without being interrupted,” Ghost says while he pulls the little rocker that Eli is in close to his chair, looking down at him in wonderment. Cassie has just returned to the table after setting Bessy up in front of the television with her favorite show, a big set of earphones over her ears so she can’t hear us talking.
“Your children are adorable.” I can’t help but look at them and smile at their cuteness.
“Thank you, but rest assured it’s not always like this. That little girl has her father’s spirit and ability to survive on minimal sleep. Thank goodness Eli is much more placid, touch wood.” Cassie grins and taps the table.
I can tell Kurt is itching to know Ghost’s story but doesn’t want to push the point and appear rude. I feel his leg bouncing, then slow once Ghost says the words he’s been waiting for.
“I suppose I should put you out of your misery, Bull, and share my story.” He smirks at us and winks at Cassie.
“Yes, before I have to beat it out of you. I can’t believe you hid this from me.” Kurt sits up a little straighter in his chair, his hand on my leg under the table.
“Says the man who has never beaten me in anything yet.” Ghost laughs, leaning back and draping his arm around Cassie’s chair, pulling her and her chair as close as possible to him.
“Keep dreaming, just remember I have plenty of stories to tell. But at the moment I need to hear yours first.”
Cassie swats Ghost on the chest. “Don’t be so cruel, put the man out of his misery.”
“But it’s fun.” He grabs her hand that’s still on his chest, lifting it to his mouth and giving it a small kiss on her palm.
“For you, maybe.” She laughs. “But not for Kurt, I’m sure.”
“Well, at least you found a woman smarter and kinder than you.” Kurt’s words now have everyone laughing.
“Okay, okay, I’m going to give you the short version, and when we have more time, I’m sure you are going to want all the minute details, which right now would bore Asha to tears.”
“I doubt it, but I understand,” I throw in.
This man has no idea how an author’s
