Page 87 of Night Moves
“Mom.” Drake shot his mother a warning look. “You’re interfering now.”
“I'm sorry.” Peggy met Natalie’s gaze. “I don’t mean to butt in, nor do I pretend to know what’s best for them. You’re the expert. But I just remembered how much fun our kids had at the beach and thought one more day where they didn’t know about their parents wasn’t such a bad thing.”
“Let’s do it,” Natalie said, suddenly eager to give the kids one more peaceful and fun day before the world imploded around them.
22
Drake held Sadie as she dug into the sand with her shovel. He wasn’t sure this was a good idea, but everyone was having such fun in the sun and sand. His brothers had headed back to Portland, but Erik left Pong behind so Logan could play with him. Plus, the dog loved running on the beach. And their parents had stayed too. His mom insisted on cooking for all of them. In fact, after everyone went to bed, she’d prepared food for a picnic lunch. He’d woken up to the smell of fried chicken and the sight of her mixing a big bowl of potato salad in the kitchen. And a pan of gooey brownies cooled on the counter.
Logan had wanted a brownie for breakfast, and Drake’s mom agreed to let him have it, something she would never have done when they were growing up. But Drake had to admit the smile she got from the little boy was worth it. Especially knowing that it might be the last day he smiled for some time.
Logan whooped, and Drake looked down the beach where the boy was running with Pong and Natalie, their feet splashing in the rolling waves. Wind peppered her face that was already red from the cold and wind, but she looked so alive. So vital. And so beautiful. No makeup or all those girly products or even fashionable clothes and her high heels. Just the boy jeans, white T-shirt, and navy blue hoodie that Drake’s dad had bought.
As the day had progressed, she’d been so full of life. So enticing that he knew he needed to be with her. But what about these kids? Could he be with a woman who had three kids?
Three kids.Even three great kids like the Gentry trio would be hard to adjust to, a change so big he still didn’t know if he could make it. The weight of the decision felt like a boulder tied around his neck, threatening to suffocate him.
Sadie swiveled in his arms and clapped sandy hands on his cheeks. “Potty. Gotta go. Now.”
Drake jumped up and yelled to Natalie, but she didn’t hear him over the rushing surf.
“Hurry!” Sadie said.
Hang waiting on Natalie. He turned and powered through the sand and burst into the house. “Mom. Bathroom, now.”
She flew out of the kitchen, scooped the child from his arms, and charged down the hall. He’d depended on his mother for so many things over the years, but never to take a little girl to the bathroom. He would’ve done it, but no sense in putting himself in a precarious position with all the issues these days around potential sexual abuse of minors.
The front door opened, and Natalie stepped in with Willow and Logan. “Everything okay?”
“Potty break. Mom’s got her.”
“Ah.” Natalie’s soft smile and her bright eyes really got to him. “These two could stand to take restroom breaks too.”
“I don’t haveta go.” Willow gnawed on her lip.
“You okay, kiddo?” Drake asked.
She stubbed her toe into the tile floor. “Had to bring my kite down to come in here.”
“We can fly it again,” Natalie told her.
She fired at testy look at Natalie. “But I had it really high.”
If Drake’s mom had seen that look, she would’ve called the child out, but Drake figured with all that was going on in Willow’s life, he’d cut her some slack. As apparently did Natalie.
“I’ll help you get the kite back up there.” Drake patted himself on the chest. “I was the champion kite flyer in the family.”
His dad snorted from the living room.
Drake spun. “Well, I was. You used to tell me that all the time.”
Sadie toddled down the hall, and his mother stepped after her. “Your father told all of you kids that.”
“Aw, man.” Drake mocked offense in hopes of making Willow laugh. He would do just about anything to get that kid to smile. “You’re up next, Willow, so we can get back out there. Maybe we can set a record height.”
“You’re gonna need me for that.” Grinning, his dad got up.
“Wait for me. Promise?” Willow’s eyes were alight with excitement.
