Page 62 of Outlaw Xmas
When he opened the garage door, Cara’s maroon Land Cruiser was parked inside and warmth radiated throughout his body. Switching off the motor, he closed the door and went into the mudroom. Braxton’s squeals and Isa’s small voice made his heartbeat race, and he shoved his keys into his pocket and went into the kitchen.
From where he stood, he saw Cara cross-legged on the carpet next to Braxton, who knelt while he figured out a train floor puzzle. Isa sat next to Cara, putting colorful balls into a muffin pan. As he watched them, a grin he couldn’t contain spread over his face.I missed them so damn much.
After several minutes, he crossed the length of the kitchen, his boots thudding on the hardwood floor. All eyes turned to him.
Braxton scrambled up with Isa following him and they ran over to him, Braxton grabbing hold of his leg while Isa raised her arms, saying, “Hold me, Daddy!” Hawk picked her up easily and pressed her close, and she nuzzled her face into his neck. “How’s my sweet princess doing?” He kissed her.
Braxton tugged at his pant leg. “Daddy, come over and see the number train I’m doing. There’re three dragons in the train car.”
Hawk went over and knelt, setting Isa down on the floor. “Great job, little buddy. How many cars do you have in your train?”
Braxton held up five fingers. “And I have a hiptamanus, two monkeys, and… I have to see again.” He bent over, looking at the puzzle pieces.
Picking up a red ball, he handed it to Isa, who put it in the muffin tin. He glanced at Cara who sat mutely, her head down and her fingers pulling at the fibers in the carpet.
“And four tigers.” Braxton held up the piece. “See?”
Hawk took it from him. “How can four tigers fit in this small train car?”
Braxton took the piece back and stared at it, a small frown knitting his brows. He shrugged. “I don’t know. But they do.”
Hawk laughed and hugged him. Isa handed him a yellow ball and Hawk put it in one of the spaces in the tin. Cara still sat mutely, pulling at the carpet.
“Why didn’t you come to Nana and Noni’s with us?” Braxton pushed a puzzle piece into a space. “I did it, Mommy. See?”
“I was busy. Did you have fun?” Again he looked at Cara, and again she avoided him.
“Uh-huh. But I missed my bed.” He yawned. “I finished.” He clapped, then covered his mouth.
“Who was hanging out in the fifth car?” Hawk ran his fingers over Isa’s hair as she lay on her side with her head on her arm, her eyelids drooping.
“Seals,” Braxton laughed, rolling around the floor.
For a few seconds, it was quiet, and a strained tension crackled between Hawk and Cara. Braxton yawed again.
“Are you getting sleepy?” Cara said, uncrossing her legs.
“Yeah. I think Isa already fell asleep.” Braxton kept rolling.
Hawk stood up and shrugged off his jacket as Cara picked Isa up and extended her hand.
“Come on,” she said to Braxton, reaching for him. “Let’s go to your room for your nap.” Braxton held her hand and she climbed the stairs. Not once had she looked at him.
“Come down afterward, Cara. I wanna talk to you.”
Without looking at him, she continued climbing the stairs, then headed down the hallway.
Hawk narrowed his eyes, knowing there was no way in hell she was going to listen to him. Shaking his head, he went upstairs and into their bedroom.I’m not dealing with this shit anymore.Standing by the window, he looked out at the falling snow clinging to the bare branches of the oak and maple trees. A group of neighborhood kids went by, dragging sleds behind them. Across the street, a few children threw snowballs at each other.
Warm, sweet vanilla drifted over to him.Cara.
“Oh,” she muttered.
He turned around just as she started walking out of the room. Sparks of anger sizzled in his blood and he stalked over to her. Grabbing her arm, he yanked her to him as he pushed the door closed with his foot.
“Let me go,” she said breathlessly, struggling in his arms.
“Don’t you ever fuckin’ take my kids away from me again.”
