Redemption(54)

I looked at my watch. “It will be another three hours yet. We have to go to the store to get some meat for the barbecue.”

“Can I have beef burgers?”

I nodded. “Of course.”

“And hot dogs?”

I nodded again. “We can have lots of things.”

Jeremy went running around, pretending he was an airplane, so I took that as my cue to put the flowers in some water and get ready for the store. Jeremy was eager to go because it meant he could goad me into picking out more things than I wanted or needed. Since having Jeremy, I think my shopping has doubled. He was a hungry boy with a sweet tooth, but he was healthy and happy. That was the main thing…and all I could ask for.

Once we were back from the shopping, I got Jeremy involved to help me put all the items away. We sat down afterwards and played one of his favorite learning games. Considering he wasn’t in school yet, I wanted to educate his mind, but also make it as fun as possible. Children’s brains were like sponges at his age. They absorbed everything and kept it there. I just wanted to make sure he was as ready as he could be once he started school.

Afterwards, I got all the meats, plates, cutlery, everything ready and set it all down on the kitchen island. Once it got close to one o’clock, I heard the door ring. Jeremy jumped and squealed as he ran for it.

“Hold your horses, Jeremy. We need to make sure who it is first.”

Dean’s voice suddenly echoed through the door, making me jump, “She’s right, grown-up. Never answer the door without seeing who it is first!”

Jeremy giggled, jumping up and down. His enthusiasm was infectious. Once I opened the door, all three of them were standing there. Dean leaned towards Jeremy and ruffled his hair. “And never answer the door by yourself, okay? Mommy needs to be with you all the time. It’s important to keep you safe.”

Jeremy nodded, but saw that Dean was standing there, holding something behind his back. “What have you got behind your back?”

Dean raised his eyebrow. “Ah, you mean this?” He threw his arm forward and in his hand was the latest action man Jeremy had been bugging me to get him for the last couple of weeks.

Jeremy squealed, jumped up and down, and grabbed the toy.

“What do you say, Jeremy?”

He looked up at me with his bright blue eyes before looking at Dean. “Thank you!” He rushed into Dean’s arms and gave him a big hug. It was hard to stop the tears.

Motioning them all inside, Jimmy gave me a kiss on the cheek and so did Tara. “Thanks for inviting us. We’ve been told you’re doing a barbecue?” Jimmy stood there, his eyebrow cocked.

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jimmy nodded. “If you don’t mind, Dean and I will do it. That way, you ladies can gossip by the pool with a glass of wine. I’m sure you’ll have plenty to talk about.” He gave Tara a cheeky smile.

Tara laughed and affectionately placed her hand on Jimmy’s chest. “You better take him up on his offer, Tyler. They don’t make men like this anymore.”

I laughed and nodded. “Okay, that’ll be perfect. Thank you.”

Jimmy brought Tara in for a hug and winked at me. “You’re welcome. So, show me the way.” He motioned towards the back of the house. I glanced at Dean. He was fussing over Jeremy, who was fussing over his new toy. As we got to the kitchen, Tara placed a bottle of Prosecco on the counter.

“That’s my favorite.”

Dean looked up, smiled, and focused back at Jeremy. Tara winked. “I know. That’s why I got it for you.”

“Thanks, babes. I’ll crack that open. Jimmy, the barbecue is just through those doors.”

Jimmy kissed the top of Tara’s head, rolled up his imaginary sleeves, and walked towards the back door. “Got it.”

Tara looked over at Dean and Jeremy, then back at me. Jeremy giggled at something Dean said, so Tara leaned in. “Jeremy seems to be getting along with Dean.”

I nodded. “He instantly loved him but, then again, I can’t blame him for that.”

Tara looked at me with a concerned expression. “How are you holding up? I know things have been tough on you lately.”

“It’s been hard, but I think I need to deal with this day by day. It was a shock to see Dean again, but I really shouldn’t have expected anything different.”

Tara looked over to them both and then back at me. “I can see that he loves you.”

I smiled and nodded, thinking it best to change the subject for now. “I’m just going to take each day as it comes. That’s all I can do.” I sighed and then gave her a cheeky grin. “So, how are things with loverboy? You’ve been practically joined at the hip since he came over a couple weeks back.”