She pulls in a big breath then lets it out. “I think so.” She tips her head back. “Is my makeup a mess?”

“Nope.”

“I know you’re probably lying, but I’m going to pretend like you aren’t,” she mumbles, and I toss my arm over her shoulders and lead her up the steps to the porch. When I open the door, December and Mitchell, who are in the kitchen, turn toward us.

“Hey, Grandma.” Mitchell waves.

“Child, you better get your not-too-old-for-a-whoopin’ butt over here and hug your grandmother,” Mom orders, and December giggles while Mitchell sighs, mumbling something I can’t make out as he comes out of the kitchen to give her a reluctant hug.

“You okay?” I ask, tangling my fingers with December’s when she’s close. She gives me a nod, but I still notice her hand shaking slightly when my mom turns to face us.

“You must be December. I’m Lidia,” Mom reaches out, taking her free hand, and then glances at me quickly. “I can see now why all my boys seem to be falling for you.”

“I….” December’s fingers convulse around mine. “It’s nice to meet you. The boys talk about you all the time.”

“They’re good boys.” Mom smiles.

“They really are,” December agrees, and Mom lets her hand go as Max joins us.

“So you guys are going to Adventure Park today?”

“That’s what I was told this morning.” December glares at Max and Mitchell when they start to laugh. “But I’ve told these guys that I will be sitting at the picnic tables reading while they test the strength of nylon and polyester.”

“My type of girl.”

“You have to at least try zip lining. Even Grandma did that one time,” Max says.

“That and the hanging log bridge,” Mitchell chimes in.

“It will be fun, babe.” I squeeze her hand.

“I’ll take pictures of you guys having fun, with both my feet planted firmly on the ground.”

“Chicken.” Max flaps his arms.

“Yep,” December confirms, looking amused.

“Stick to your guns, honey. I swear I don’t know how these three convinced me to climb up a tree then jump off a platform. I thought I was going to wet myself when I was flying through the air, I was so scared,” Mom says, and both boys start to laugh while December grins.

“You should come with us, Grandma,” Max invites.

Mom shakes her head. “No way. One time was plenty for me. You four go have fun, but if it’s okay with your dad, you and your brother could come stay the night with me. We can go see a movie tonight then get up early and go have breakfast at Pfunky Griddle in the morning,” Mom offers, knowing she’s going to get her way. To this day, I don’t know why that place is one of the boys’ favorite breakfast spots. It’s kind of like cooking at home. Each table is centered around a griddle, and you order what you want then the ingredients are brought out to you for you to make your own breakfast.

“Can we, Dad?” Max asks, placing his hands together like he’s praying.

“That’s cool with me, but it’s up to Mitchell if he wants to go.” I look at my oldest.

“I’m down.” He shrugs, trying to play it cool.

“Yes.” Max throws his hands in the air. “I love Pfunky.”

“We all know you do.” Mitchell rolls his eyes at his little brother.

“I haven’t been there in years,” December says, and I see my mom lock onto that piece of news the moment it leaves her mouth.

“You two should meet us there in the morning.”

“I’m sure December wants to sleep in tomorrow,” I respond. December turns to look at me, and I try to tell her without words that I don’t want to get up to go out to eat just to make my own damn breakfast. I’d much rather eat her in the morning and relax in bed afterward—something I haven’t been able to do with her since we’ve started seeing each other.

“I don’t mind getting up early,” she says, and I sigh.

“Then it’s set. You two can drop the boys off to me on your way back home from Nashville, and we’ll meet you in the morning for breakfast.”

“Great,” I agree, and I know I sound as annoyed as I feel. “Boys, hug your grandma then go pack your overnight bags. We need to hit the road.” They both do as ordered then hurry down the hall.

“Have fun today,” Mom says, leaning up to kiss my cheek, and then she looks at December. “Don’t let them talk you into anything, and I’ll see you two for breakfast.” She grins when December laughs.

Once she’s gone, I tighten my fingers on the hand still held in mine. “We need to work on our silent communication skills.”

“What?” she asks, and I turn her to face me.

“Agreeing to go to breakfast.”

“It’s not a big deal. I love Pfunky… or I did when I went there years ago.”

“Yeah, and I would’ve loved to have you to myself tonight and in the morning without having to worry about waking you up in time to leave before the boys find you.”

“Oh.” Her eyes round. “I didn’t think about that.”

“Yeah, I kinda got that when you agreed to go to breakfast in the morning, which is gonna be early,” I say, and she bites her lip, looking away. “You owe me huge for this, and just so you know, I’m looking forward to making you pay,” I growl near her ear, and pink touches her cheeks, making me feel a little better.

_______________

“How in the world did I let you guys talk me into this?” December cries, tightening her arms around the log that is shooting up through the platform we’re standing on.

“Babe, I got you. Just relax and take a breath.”

“Don’t tell me to relax and take a breath, Gareth,” she pants, resting her forehead against the log and squeezing her eyes closed.

“You can do it, December!” Max shouts, and she opens her eyes and turns her head to look at where he and Mitchell are standing on the next platform.

“You totally got this,” Mitchell calls, giving her a smile.

“See? The boys know you’ve got this. And I won’t let anything happen to you,” I say, rubbing her back.

“Promise?” She moves only her eyes to look at me, and my heart squeezes.

Christ, this woman has no idea. “I promise, baby. Just trust me.” I lean back and hold out my hand. She studies it for a long moment before she puts her hand in mine, and when she does, I release the breath I was holding and look across to my boys.

“Max, move to the next platform. Mitchell, I’m gonna send December over to you,” I call out, and Max quickly swings himself onto the next platform while I adjust her rope overhead so it’s clear of mine. “Baby, you’re gonna jump to Mitchell,” I instruct, and she eyes me warily. “I’m not going to leave you here alone. It’s better if you jump to him, he jumps to the next platform, and I come over next.”

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I touch her cheek with my gloved hand then ask, “Ready?”

“Not really, but yes.”