Lawson’s voice was calm, steady. The reassurance I was quickly beginning to realize was simplyhim.
I cleared my throat. “Sure, kids made it to school, and I’m just working through the mountains of laundry.”
A deep chuckle reverberated across the line. “I bet we could keep you on laundry duty for a month straight.”
The corners of my mouth tipped up. “I don’t mind. There’s something meditative about doing laundry. I might solve world hunger if I’m at it long enough.”
“I look forward to hearing all about that Nobel Prize-winning idea.”
I could hear the smile in his voice. It was heady, knowing I’d put it there. I wanted more of that. More of the knowledge that I made Lawson smile. Made him laugh.
The sound of a drawer opening and closing came across the line. “Listen, I got a search and rescue callout.”
I stilled. Someone was missing. Or injured. Or worse. “Oh.” It was all I could get out.
“I never know how long these things will last, so I might be late. Would you mind staying late tonight?”
I straightened, steeling my spine. “Of course, not. Take all the time you need.”
Anything to help someone who desperately needed it.
Lawson shifted the phone, making a static noise. “There’s a guest room opposite mine that you’re welcome to sleep in if things go really late.”
“Okay. Just…be careful.”
It was freezing out there. I couldn’t imagine tromping around in the wilderness for hours with little to go on. Not to mention the wildlife and other dark things that could hide there.
“I always am. If I have service, I’ll text when I’m on my way home.”
I nodded and then realized he couldn’t see me. “Sure. Don’t worry about the boys. We’ll play a game or watch a movie after dinner.”
“Sounds perfect. Thanks, Hallie.”
“Of course.”
“Talk to you soon.”
“Soon,” I echoed.
Lawson paused for a moment before hanging up, his even breathing sounding across the line. And then it was simply gone.
* * *
“Can you believe it?”Charlie asked as he all but bounced on his bed in his adorable frog pajamas. “I kicked both their butts!”
I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing. “Are you allowed to say butt?”
Charlie gave me a sheepish smile. “Dad says booty is better.”
“Then I think it’s freaking awesome you kicked both your big brothers’ booties.”
He grinned widely. “Yeah, it is.”
I’d been shocked speechless when Luke had agreed to play Sorry! with the rest of us. He wasn’t chatty, except occasionally bantering with his brothers, but I didn’t miss how he watched me. It was as if he were trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. But that was far better than the alternative.
“When’s Dad getting home?” Charlie asked, cutting into my thoughts.
I pulled out my phone, checking it for approximately the fiftieth time today. “I’m not sure. But he’ll be here when you wake up.”
