Free Emmitt's Treasure: Judgement of the Six Companion Series, book 2 by Melissa Haag

why you’re entrusting me with your baby?”
    “I’m going to ask Michelle to use the truck so I can get what we need to build a swing set.”
    “No way,” Jim said with growing excitement.  “Get a sturdy one.”
    I could already picture Jim trying to swing with Aden.
    “I doubt they come that sturdy.”
    Jim quickly finished his cereal then made a big show of taking the bike keys.  I shook my head and went to take a shower.
    *    *    *    *
    I waited until seven then went upstairs to knock on the door.  Anticipation filled me when I heard her steps within the apartment.  Each night seemed to take longer and seeing her first thing in the morning only got better.
    Michelle opened the door cautiously, her hair tousled from sleep.  My chest tightened at the sight of her in her shorts and a tank top.
    “Morning,” I said.  “Could I borrow your truck?”
    “Sure.”  She’d kept her voice low.  The husky sound of it made the ache in my chest worse.  As she left the door to get the keys, I tried to rub the feeling away.  When she returned, I had my hands in my pockets.
    “You can drive the truck any time you want,” she said, handing the keys over.  “But why the change from the motorcycle?”
    “Jim took it to work.”  And he better not wreck it, I thought.
    She gave me a slight smile.
    “Maybe tell Jim to take the truck tomorrow.”
    “Yeah.  I will.  Thanks for the keys.”
    She smiled and softly closed the door.  I was half-tempted to come up with some lame reason to knock on the door one more time just to look at her again.  Instead, I jogged down the steps and went out to the truck.  The bed was big.  I hoped it would fit a big swing set.
    Several hours later, I eased down the driveway with my haul.  I’d picked a neat swing set that would hopefully entertain the boys and Jim.  I’d also stopped at a store and stocked up on food Michelle might need to make her apartment feel like her own home.
    When I rounded the corner of the house, I caught sight of Liam and Aden tossing a ball back and forth and Michelle sitting on the steps, leaning back on her elbows with her long legs stretched out before her.  I swallowed hard and eased the truck to a stop.
    As I opened the door, she stood, her gaze drifting over the things in the back of the truck and the bags in the seat beside me.
    “Can we help carry in your groceries?” she asked.
    “Actually, they’re your groceries.”
    She glanced at all the bags again and made her way to the passenger door.  As she handed a plastic bag to each of the boys, I inhaled her scent.
    “Why the worry?” I asked, studying her.
    “The swing set is great, but I don’t know how long we can stay here.”
    I hated hearing her say what I’d been fearing.
    “I told you, you can stay as long as you want.”
    Her worry didn’t ease up even though she nodded.  In fact, a thread of sadness started to weave in with the worry.
    “I’m not sure my freezer will be able to hold all of the meat,” she said, grabbing several loaded bags.
    She was trying to hide what she was really feeling with her words.  Why?  She didn’t trust me.  The lack of trust disappointed me.
    “Don’t worry.  We’ll put the extra in Jim’s freezer.”
    I watched her walk into the house and caught Winifred studying me.
    I know, give it time, I thought to her.
    Good boy.
    I shook my head and started to unload the materials from the back of the truck.  When the boys returned, they stood off to one side, watching me curiously until I asked them to help carry the little things.
    Winifred joined Michelle in her efforts to take the groceries inside.
    “What is all this for?” Liam asked after inspecting one of the chains on the ground.
    “A swing set,” I said with a smile.  I picked up two chains and attached the seat to the ends.  “See?”
    Aden’s eyes lit with anticipation.  Liam looked a little hesitant to believe me.  Like his sister.
    The boys stayed