Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66134 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 220(@300wpm)
Confusion creased between Owen’s brows, but before he could ask any more questions Caleb strode over to Owen, turned him around, and ushered him out of the bedroom while looking over his shoulder at me. “We’ll meet you out in the kitchen.”
I nodded, and once they were gone, I took my dress and bra and went into the bathroom and changed so I wasn’t walking around half naked. Finding a brush in a drawer, I restored some semblance of order to my hair, then exhaled a deep breath before joining them in the living area. Even though Owen had delayed our girlfriend conversation, I knew at some point we’d have to sort out the issue.
“Come sit by me, Stevie!” Owen said as soon as he saw me. He was already seated on a stool at the kitchen counter, digging into his Frosted Flakes and playing with two action figurines while Caleb was back at the stove, finishing the breakfast he’d started earlier.
I smiled at his enthusiasm. Because of Raven being Caleb’s sister, I’d been around Owen enough the past year that we’d established a friendly and familiar rapport, so at least what Caleb told Alyssa about Owen knowing me was true.
“I’ll be right there. I need a cup of coffee first,” I told him, which was an understatement. I desperately needed a jolt of caffeine after this morning’s fiasco, and to deal with the discussion with Caleb that still lay ahead.
I came up to the counter next to Caleb where the Keurig machine was located. He glanced my way as he continued scrambling eggs and reheating the mushrooms and ham.
“That coffee cup is for you,” he said, nodding toward the navy blue mug he’d set out for me, along with creamer and sugar.
“Thank you.” I put a pod into the machine and while I waited for my coffee to brew, I glanced at Caleb. I was glad to see his earlier anger toward Alyssa had subsided, but he still looked unsettled.
“Are you okay?” I asked softly.
Despite everything, he managed a charming smile. “I will be if you agree to what I asked you earlier, before we were interrupted by Owen.”
So many uncertainties about that request warred inside of me. “We’ll talk…later, after we eat and Owen isn’t listening in,” I promised. I’d at least hear him out, despite my misgivings.
He divided up the eggs onto two plates, then added the warmed-up mushrooms and ham on top, along with a sprinkle of cheese. “I’m just taking it as a positive sign that you’re still here.”
I sighed, even as my stomach grumbled at the savory scent teasing my nose. “I haven’t agreed to anything, Caleb.”
His gaze held mine, and very seriously, he said, “I’m hoping you will.”
The brewer finished the percolating process, and while I added sugar and creamer to the coffee, Caleb carried our plates to the kitchen island. He set one next to Owen, and instead of sitting beside his son, he indicated that I should take that spot while he stood across the counter so he was facing us.
“So what fun things did you do with your mom this week?” Caleb asked his son after we ate a few bites of the eggs.
“Nothing.” Owen set down the Iron Man figurine he’d been playing with and took another bite of his cereal. Milk dripped down his chin and he wiped it away with the back of his hand. “I went to school, and I stayed with Grandma and Grandpa because Mommy wasn’t feeling well.”
I didn’t miss the way Caleb’s body tensed. “What do you mean Mommy wasn’t feeling well?” he asked, his tone far more casual than his posture. “Was it like last time?”
“Yeah. She had a headache and was sleeping a lot. She called Grandma who came and got me.”
Caleb’s gaze flickered to mine, and the worry I saw there was concerning. The fact that this seemed to be a regular occurrence didn’t bode well.
“Stevie, look at this,” Owen said, abruptly jumping to a more interesting topic as only a six-year-old could as he turned toward me with a Spider-Man action figure in his hand. “Look at what Spidey can do!”
He lifted the toy’s arm and aimed it at me, then pressed a button and out shot a small white net that landed on my shoulder. I gasped dramatically, and Owen chortled, making me grin at his unfettered glee, which was exactly what I needed after this morning’s debacle. Even Caleb chuckled at his son’s tickled reaction.
“I gotcha with his web!” Owen said, then removed the little projectile from my dress. “Want to see what my other action heroes can do?”
“Not now, Owen,” Caleb said, redirecting his son’s attention. “How about you finish up your cereal. When you’re done, you can play Minecraft for a little longer, with the headphones on, while I talk to Stevie about grown-up stuff.”