“Sorry to scare you, Ma.”
“You’ve been scaring the life out of me since you were five years old and climbed onto the roof of the barn because Grant said you could fly.”
“Oh my God, he didn’t ...”I’m picturing a Kyle-sized Boone on the roof, and it’s enough to give me a heart attack.
“He only broke one leg.The two mattresses they’d stolen off their beds cushioned most of the fall.”
Oh my God.
“That’s what happens when you have boys,” Boone says, like it’s no big deal that he could have died at five.
Boone’s mom looks to me.“You better hope you have girls.Boone will keep them wrapped up in cotton batting and never let them out of his sight.”
Boone’s arm comes around me, and I wonder if he can feel the tense set of my shoulders.
“Now you’re scaring Ripley, Ma.I haven’t even gotten her to admit she’s my girlfriend, so if you skip right to babies, you might send her running for the hills.”
Mrs.Thrasher shoots me a wink.“I think she’s made of stronger stuff than that.Come on, I’ve been keeping the sticky buns warm in the oven for you, and I suppose if you give me a hug, I’ll share my bacon too.”
Four hours later, Boone has finally proven to his family that he’s okay.
“Ripley and I have to head back to Nashville so she can work tomorrow, and I’ve got a couple interviews I shouldn’t miss.”
“Interviews?Are they going to make you famous?”Kyle asks.
Boone laughs, and Wendy ruffles Kyle’s hair.“Your uncle Boone is already famous, kiddo.”
“No, he’s not.He plays catch with me in the yard.Famous people don’t do that.”
Good point, little man.A smile tugs at my lips.Boone is definitely not your average celebrity.Seeing him here with his parents and nephew, I have a whole new outlook on who he really is.
Which is exactly what he probably planned.Diabolical man.
“Are you coming back for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Uncle Boone?”
“You know I wouldn’t miss them for the world.But I might have to work, so they could be short trips.”
“If you don’t come, I’m gonna eat all of Lala’s mashed potatoes.”
Boone swings Kyle up into his arms.“I can’t let that happen.Looks like I’ll be here for sure, just to make sure I get some.”
He squeezes the little boy to his chest before setting him down and crouching in front of Wendy’s belly.
“Listen up, little guys or girls or little guy and little girl.You stay cookin’ as long as you need.We’ll be ready to meet you when you decide you’re ready.”
“Now you’re talking to them like you talked to Ky?”
“Of course.They gotta know their uncle Boone’s voice when they come out.That way when I hold them at the hospital, they’ll fall asleep like little angels in my arms.”
Wendy rolls her eyes, but it takes everything I have to keep my ovaries intact.Since when did I think it was drop-dead sexy for a man to like babies?
Oh, right, since forever.Me and every woman in the history of ever.
Kyle throws his arms around my waist while I’m still recovering from my mental picture of Boone holding a newborn.I hug him back and ruffle his hair.
When Kyle releases me, he turns back to Boone.“Make sure to bring Ms.Ripley too.I like her.She’s pretty, and she smells nice too.”
Boone comes toward me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and bringing me against his side in what has become a regular move of his.