The Widow's Protector. Stephanie Newton

They were really mad that we went outside the cove.”

       “Yeah, but I was really glad to see them, no matter how mad they were. So, they told you to come and get me?” She could totally believe they would do it.

       “Please, Mommy, please, Mommy, please.” Sean bounced at her feet like a jumping bean. He had way too much pent-up energy.

       Fiona leaned on the broom. “I’m not going to win this argument, am I?”

       Hunter shook his head slowly.

       “I’d have to change my clothes.”

       He looked down at her rolled-up jeans and soft leather flats. “We’re going to be out on the lawn for a cookout. I think you’re dressed fine. Just grab a sweater.”

       She hesitated another minute. There was so much to do here, but maybe he was right. It was a beautiful day.

       Hunter walked into the hallway and stooped to look at Sean’s Lego creation. “That is an amazing castle you’ve got going. Is the towel the moat?”

       “Yeah, and there are alligators with big, giant teeth, see?” Sean moved the towel to show the plastic alligators he’d tucked into the folds.

       “Awesome.” He pounded fists with Sean. “You wanna go get a jacket?”

       Sean whooped and ran for his bedroom, a tower of Lego pieces skidding away from his fast-moving feet.

       Hunter stood and his eyes connected with hers. The same exact way they’d connected thousands of times since they were teenagers, but this time it felt different. This time she felt something different.

       Maybe it was just that she’d been watching him with Sean. Maybe it had been too long since she’d looked at a man with anything other than brotherly affection. Maybe she’d just totally lost it. He was her friend.

       “Fiona?” Confusion clouded Hunter’s eyes.

       “Let’s go!” Sean ran into the hall. Fiona snatched him up, holding him between her and Hunter.

       She didn’t know what had just happened, but she couldn’t help but feel she was treading on unsteady ground.