Page 17 (2/2)

8

Toy Time

Calida

Malcol a nondescript white box

“Who was it?” I asked The final click of the strap let h chair

He set the package on the island “Express Now”

I eyed it, then looked at him “What new toy did you order for him?”

He licked his lips and tapped his fingers on the top of the box “Not for him”

My heart rate spiked and I sed hard, lettingfor food The item he’d pulled last week He’d spent more time downstairs in his office, even after work hours Now I knehy Not sure why I’d fooled o to one of the local stores and pick up so basic Should have known better Basic had never been his style

With a wink, he picked up the box and carried it to the table The grin on his face didn’t falter when he slid into the chair opposite me and put it down

“Do you wanna knohat I got?”

I placed the cut-up peanut butter and jelly sandwich on Shawn’s tray along with cubed apples while I shook my head at my overly excited husband “With the look on your face, I think I’m scared to know”

“This was your thing, baby I’”

“Why do I feel like this item is about to bite me in the as— butt?”

He tented his fingers in front of higled in unison with his father, and I was thankful he was clueless over the subject of this conversation