Almost as soon as it’s in my hands, I say, “Okay, that’s enough. Take it. Take it. Please, for the love of Moses take it.”
To my relief, it’s taken away and placed in Simon’s hands.
“Look how cute it is,” Sam says and pets its little head. “I want one.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” the guide says gruffly. “He’ll grow up to look like that.” He points to the side of the boat, and there on the shore, not twenty feet from us, is a gator the size of our boat.
“Holy crap!” Sam exclaims. I’ve lost my voice. I’m pretty sure I’m going to die here in the swamp.
“I don’t think your aunt is as excited,” Simon says with a laugh. “And here you were so outdoorsy in Montana.”
“Montana isn’t a swamp land with snakes and gators and other poisonous things that can kill you.”
“Right.” Simon nods. “It’s just full of bears and mountain lions and rattlesnakes, all of which can kill you.”
“Thanks.” I swallow hard and mentally pray that we make it back to civilization alive.
“Isn’t this so fun, Aunt Charly?” Sam asks excitedly as the guide puts the baby back in the water.
“Absolutely.” I smile and nod, careful not to touch anything. “Do you have anything we can wash our hands with?”
“Nah. You’ll have to wait until we get back.”
“Great.”
Simon tucks me into his side and kisses my head.
“Don’t touch me,” I say. “You touched a gator.”
“Don’t worry, darling. The gator germs won’t hurt you.”
“Do you know that for sure, Marlin Perkins?”
He laughs and kisses my head again.
“You delight me every day, love.”
“I’m so happy I delight you. I’d rather delight you without gators nearby.”
“You like it,” Sam says smugly. “You just can’t admit it because you’re a girl.”
“You got me,” I say and kiss his cheek. He sticks his tongue out like it’s gross, but then he smiles.
“Thanks for bringing me.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I didn’t realize we’d get back so late,” Simon says quietly as we pull into the inn. Sam fell asleep long ago in the backseat.
“Ours was the last tour of the day. But I agree, I didn’t realize how long they ran.”
Longer than I would have liked.
“Your face got a little red in the sun.”
I grin over at him. “So did yours.”
“Next time, we take sunscreen. Sam didn’t get red at all.”
“He lives in the sun,” I reply and look at the sweet boy in the rear view mirror. “And I don’t think there will be a next time. I’ve seen all the gators I need to for my lifetime.”
“You were a good sport,” Simon says and cups my cheek in his palm.
“Are you sure you washed your hands?”
“Twice.” He glances up. “Looks like Rhys is home.”
I smile as I park and climb out of the car, caught up in a bear hug from my brother in law. “It’s about time you came home.”
“I’m a working man, you know.” He kisses my cheek and sets me on my feet, his face sobering as Simon rounds the car to shake his hand. “You must be Simon.”
“I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. O’Shaughnessy.”
“You can call me Rhys,” he says and glances down at me. “Are you happy?”
I tilt my head, not used to the overprotective brother routine from Rhys and grin. “You’re sweet, sugar.”
“That doesn’t answer my question.”
“I’m always happy.”
“Hmm.” He nods once and looks in the backseat of the car. “I hate to wake him, but I’m dying to see him.”
“He’ll be upset if you don’t wake him,” Gabby says from behind him. “Thanks for taking him. Was he good?”
Before I can say anything, Simon steps forward. “Sam is a joy, Gabby. He’s a sweet boy, and he loves his Aunt Charly. You’ve done a wonderful job with him.”
Gabby’s face softens as she watches her husband wake her son. “Thank you. He is a sweetheart.”
“Daddy!” Sam exclaims when he opens his eyes and sees Rhys leaning over him. “You’re home!” He wraps his arms around Rhys’s neck tightly and looks at his mother over Rhys’s shoulder. “You didn’t tell me he was coming home today. I wasn’t here.”
“Hey, it was a surprise,” Rhys says when he pulls Sam from the car, holding him in his arms. Sam isn’t a small boy anymore, but Rhys is a big guy. “I asked your mom not to tell you.”