Page 63 of Hooded

“I’m fine, Cade,” I say into his shirt, breathing in the familiar scent of him, loving him today as much as I did at the beginning. More so.

He nuzzles my hair. “I can give you a massage tonight if you want,” he murmurs, too soft for Cassie to hear.

“I wouldn’t say no to that.”

“What wouldn’t you say no to, Mommy?” The girl has come back over to tug on my dress. “Do I get a hug too?”

“Yes, you get a hug.” Cade lifts the girl, wraps his arms around her, and twirls her around once in a way that makes her squeal. “The order for tonight is hug, dinner, cleanup, Tic-Tac-Toe, story, and then bed.”

“Hurray!” Cassie is beaming up at me and Cade in turn. “I love that plan!”

I smile, and then Cade does.

He says, “I love that plan too.”