Making Room by Jessie Sanders

Author:Jessie Sanders
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stormy Night Publishing
Published: 2022-08-02T00:00:00+00:00

16.

Emmett drove them into town after lunch. Kate was now attached to that toddler iPad that Abby had bought for her birthday, so they had to bring it in the van and listen to the alphabet a thousand times. But Emmett couldn’t be mad about something so trivial when his boyfriend was riding in the front seat with him.

Boyfriend.

His boyfriend.

My boyfriend, Tobey.

“What are you smiling about?” Tobey asked.

“Nothing,” Emmett said quickly.

He pulled into Rhonda’s driveway. Benny was kicking around the soccer ball in the front yard.

“Hey, kiddo,” Emmett called as he parked and rolled down the windows. It was too hot to leave them up while the van was off. “What are you doing out here alone?”

“Cosmo didn’t want to play with me,” Benny said. “He said I’m just a dumb kid.”

Emmett glanced over at Tobey.

Tobey frowned and shrugged.

Emmett got Kate, leaving the toy in the van, hugged Benny, and went inside. The whole house smelled like chocolate chip cookies, and Rhonda was wiping down the counter.

“Emmett, you’re here soon, did you get off work early?”

“No, Kate got sick, so I took the day off,” Emmett said, pecking Rhonda on the cheek. “About these cookies I smell...”

Rhonda gestured to the cookie tin.

“Where’s Cosmo? Did he behave? Benny said he was mean to her,” Tobey said.

“Oh, he was just fine, they had a great time,” Rhonda said. “It was only when we went to the store this morning. Cosmo ran into some boys he met at the pool and got embarrassed to be seen with us.”

“He’s been seen with you before, hasn’t he?” Tobey asked.

“Yes, but it’s a little bit different when you’re at the general store in the craft section with a grandma,” Rhonda said. “He snapped at Benny and went straight up to Megan’s room when we got back. I’m sure he’ll come around in a bit. Nothing cookies can’t fix. You must be Cosmo’s father.”

“Yes, Tobey,” Tobey said. “It’s nice to meet you. Thanks for the sleepover. I’ll go up and collect Cosmo.”

Emmett pulled a handful of cookies out of the tin. “Thanks again, Rhonda. We better head out.”

“Oh, I thought you might want to stay for dinner,” Rhonda said. “I’m making chicken and dumplings.”

“Sorry, we, uh, Tobey and I, have some things to talk to the kids about.” Emmett almost handed Kate a cookie and then thought to check her forehead first. She didn’t feel feverish, but he didn’t want to risk it.

Kate wailed. Rhonda took her from Emmett’s arms. “I’m sure whatever you want to talk about can wait.”

“I’d rather get home, what with Kate being sick. Thanks, Rhonda.”

“Okay, okay, I’ll let you go,” Rhonda said. “I know you’re an introvert, Emmett, but you can’t keep letting Megan’s passing keep you from getting out. It’s okay to not always be working and taking care of the girls.”

Rhonda was great and understood him so well, but she sometimes took the mom role a little too seriously. “Rhonda, I’m fine, really. I like spending my nights at home.

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