I fought the groan that wanted to surface. Since Noah had started karate lessons, I’d watched that movie more times than I could count. “You sure about that choice?”
Noah’s head bobbed up and down so fast I was worried he might give himself whiplash. “I want to learn the fight sequence at the end.”
I started lifting brownies onto a platter. “ThenThe Karate Kidit is.”
A knock sounded at the door, and Noah jumped off his stool, racing for the entryway.
“Wait!” My voice held a thread of panic that had Noah skidding to a halt and looking confused. “Let me get it. We don’t know who it is.”
Usually, I had no problems with Noah answering the door. Our ranch had always been fenced and gated. No one got in without a code or someone buzzing them in. But between Cody’s threats, the graffiti on my barn, and the note I’d gotten yesterday, I’d been more than a little on edge when it came to Noah’s safety.
“It’s me, guys,” a voice boomed through the door.
Noah executed some sort of excited jump kick and bolted for the door. “It’s Tuck, Mom! Come on!”
“Okay, okay, you can answer it.” I wiped my hands on my apron. There was no reason to be nervous. I’d seen Tuck almost daily for most of my life.
Noah pulled open the door, revealing Tuck holding two grocery bags full of stuff. “Happy New Year’s.”
Noah jumped up and down. “It’s not New Year’s yet. Not till midnight. This year, I’m gonna make it till then. Whatcha got, Tuck?”
Tuck chuckled. “I couldn’t come to the New Year’s Eve epic junk food movie fest without a contribution.” He started for the kitchen, Noah trailing behind, and gave me a wink as he passed. “I brought all my favorites. Sour cream and onion potato chips, Red Vines, Snickers.”
Noah peeked into one of the bags. “That’s awesome! Mom made brownies and cookies, and she’s gonna make popcorn, too.”
Tuck ruffled Noah’s hair. “Then it sounds like all our bases are covered.”
I shook my head. “It sounds like we’re all going to be sick for days.”
Noah pulled out a bag of chips. “But it’ll be worth it.”
Tuck and I both laughed. “So, what are we watching, little man?”
“Karate Kid.” Noah looked up at Tuck with uncertainty filling his expression. My heart cracked. My boy so wanted this man’s approval.
Tuck’s eyes widened. “Did you know that’s my favorite movie of all time?”
Noah’s expression morphed to one of wonder. “Really?”
“It’s true. I watched that movie so many times growing up, I probably have it memorized.”
Noah started bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I want to learn the fight sequence at the end.”
“That scene is epic. We definitely need to watch it a few times to get that down.”
Noah looked at me. “See, Mom? That’s why I have to watch it so much, so I can get it perfect.”
I smiled. “Whatever it takes.”
“I’m gonna go find the movie, okay?” Noah charged out of the room before I had a chance to say anything.
I turned to Tuck. “What are you doing here?”
He moved in, giving me a swift kiss. “I wanted to spend New Year’s Eve with you.”
Warmth and something that felt a lot like hope filled my chest. “You didn’t want to go to the saloon with Walker and Taylor?”
Tuck shook his head. “I’m where you are.”
