I wasn’t sure what he intended, but I wasn’t expecting him to pull me into his arms and kiss me right there in the middle of town. Not that I minded, not in the least. We were both breathless when he ended the kiss.
“Are we good?” I asked because I couldn’t read him at all.
“We’re a whole hell of a lot better than good.”
“Drinks are on me.” Razor said, which were the magic words since the crowd dispersed and headed to the Tavern.
“Thanks for stepping in.” I didn’t know where Razor had come from, but he’d taken the cat scratch meant for me.
He winked. “Anytime.”
Damian and I were hosting a dinner at the cottage. We had offered it that first night at the Sharptons, but I found I was looking forward to doing something so normal and with people I was growing to really like. We were having it outside…barbequing, a fire pit, pumpkin carving and bobbing for apples for the kids, though many of the adults were joining in too. Bobby was helping Damian with the grill and I found myself stopping throughout the evening to watch him. He would never be the affable guy who talked up everyone; he’d always be in the shadows, but watching him grilling up the burgers and chicken, grinning at whatever story Bobby was sharing and seeing him happy made me really happy.
Madge had brought baked goodies, Maureen contributed wine, Razor—yes I invited Razor and Damian didn’t protest, weird—and Mic brought the beer and Dinky brought a box of cigars. Missy, Ricki and Dee were helping me in the kitchen, finishing up the sides that would accompany the grilled meats Damian and Bobby were responsible for.
“I love this. I’m so glad you two moved here,” Missy said. I felt badly that I couldn’t be completely honest with her, but I agreed. I was happy we had moved here too even if it was only temporary.
“It’s a great town. You were right.”
“Maybe Hank and Wynona will have playmates soon.”
I’d been slicing a tomato and almost took off my finger. Children with Damian, just the idea made me want to cry. Thinking of a little boy or girl with his eyes made my chest grow tight. I was saved from answering when Wynona entered the kitchen.
“Mommy, I want to carve a pumpkin.”
“Okay, give me a minute and I’ll help you.”
“Oh…okay. One minute.”
Missy glanced over at me and rolled her eyes heavenward. “And she’ll hold me to that. She learned to tell time solely for that reason.”
Children were the best. We finished in the kitchen and I followed Missy to the carving station.
“I want to make Cinderella’s coach.”
“Oh, honey, I’m not good enough to do that.”
Wynona’s big eyes turned to me. “Can you?”
I could draw the carriage, but no way could I carve it. “No, a jack-o-lantern is about as good as I get.”
Her lower lip quivered when she looked back at her mom. “Can we try?”
“Sure, sweetie. We can try.”
It was pretty clear that Missy was in over her head. Damian and Bobby approached.
“What’s going on here?” Bobby asked.
“Wynona wanted to carve Cinderella’s coach, but I’m just not that skilled.
“Daddy has two left hands,” Bobby said to which Wynona nodded, so apparently he tried and failed at some craft. Though did he do it on purpose so he wasn’t roped into being the designated helper? I had been guilty of that a time or two growing up.
Damian stood quietly next to Bobby, his hands in his pockets, observing the scene. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, but then he pulled up a chair and reached for a carving knife.
“Can you?” Wynona asked him and the hope in her voice nearly broke my heart.
“Got a picture?” Damian asked.
“Mommy, your phone.”
Missy took out her phone and pulled up a picture of the elaborate coach made from a magical pumpkin. Damian studied it for a few minutes and then got to work.
I watched mesmerized at the skill Damian had with a knife, knew it stemmed from his line of work, and still he methodically carved that pumpkin, the detail unbelievable. It took him almost an hour but when he was done, Wynona had her replica of Cinderella’s coach.
“It’s perfect,” Wynona squealed as she clapped her hands together. “Oh Mommy, look at it.”
Damian stood, his hands covered in pumpkin guts, but before he could make his escape Wynona jumped from her spot and wrapped her arms around one of his legs. “Thank you, thank you.”
My heart ached in a really good way seeing Damian getting love from a little girl because he had carved her a pumpkin. She eventually released him and when she looked up, he smiled.