Page 16 of One Hot Daddy

"Um, yeah."Josh's shoulders hunch defensively."I needed the motor.The toothbrush one wasn't powerful enough."

I struggle to keep from laughing, which results in soft snorts.This is exactly the kind of childhood ingenuity that would've gotten me grounded for a month back in Arkansas.

Fletcher pinches the bridge of his nose, shutting his eyes briefly."And where's the rest of my razor?"

"In the...garbage can out back?"Joshua offers hopefully.

I step forward, hoping to defuse the situation."That's quite the engineering project you've got there.Maybe next time we could get you proper materials instead of dismantling household appliances.Would that work?"

I give Joshua my most encouraging smile.

His eyes light up."You'd get me real parts?Like motors and stuff?"

"If your dad approves, sure."I glance at Fletcher, whose expression has softened from outrage to resignation.

"We'll discuss it later," he replies.I'm learning that's dad-code for 'maybe.'He holds out his palm."For now, hand over what's left of my razor."

Joshua reluctantly surrenders his creation.As Fletcher examines the mangled remains of his grooming tool, I notice Amelia and Charlotte hovering in the doorway, exchanging meaningful glances.

"What are you two plotting?"I ask, turning toward them.

Charlotte spreads her arm, her expression full of practiced innocence."Nothing."

Amelia twirls a strand of hair around her finger, trying too hard to seem casual."We were just wondering what's for dinner."

"Uh-huh."I cross my arms and narrow my eyes."And I'm Mary Poppins.Spill it, girls."

They exchange another look, and Charlotte sighs dramatically."Fine.We were going to ask if we could have a sleepover tonight."

"On a school night?"Fletcher asks, still holding the mutilated razor.

"It's for a school project," Amelia says quickly."Charlotte needs help with her science experiment about sleep patterns.Four of my friends have signed up."

I raise an eyebrow."That sounds suspiciously well-rehearsed."

Fletcher glances at me with his lips twitching slightly as if he's about to laugh."They've been practicing that excuse since breakfast, I'd wager."

"Dad!"Charlotte protests, but she's fighting a smile.

"How about this," I suggest, sidling between the father and his daughters before this turns into a full-on negotiation."Why don't we start with dinner?Then we can discuss sleepovers and science projects."

"What's for dinner?"Henry's pipes up from behind us.He appeared in the doorway clutching his dinosaur drawing and what looks like a handful of actual dirt.

"Henry," Fletcher sighs, "why do you have soil in your hands?"

"I brought Hulk to meet everyone."Henry opens his palm to reveal a fat earthworm writhing in a clump of mud."He wanted to see my room."

Amelia shrieks and jumps backward into Charlotte, who stumbles into the doorframe.

Joshua glances up from his dismantled hovercraft."Can I use Hulk for my next experiment?"

Fletcher wipes a hand across his face, then sighs."Let's talk about that another time.Please clean up this mess now."

While the kiddos begin picking up all the stuff they've cached here, there, and everywhere, I sidle closer to Fletcher.In a half-whisper, I tell him, "Their behavior is due to the excitement of a new person coming into their home.I'm sure that's all it was, and things will settle down soon."

"You're probably right," Fletcher murmurs back, but his eyes are focused on my lips again.We're standing so close that I can smell his soap---something masculine and woodsy that smells so delicious I'd love to lick it all off his skin.

"I should start dinner," I suggest quickly, scuffling backward before I do something stupid like kiss him again."What do the children usually eat?"