Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

“I can see why. From what I’ve seen so far, he’s an amazing uncle.”

“You’re Uncle Ben’s damsel,” Remi said out of the blue. “Right?”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Um…” I began. “What?”

“Well, Mommy said he rescued you from a fire, didn’t he?”

It wasn’t exactly that way, but close enough. “He did, yes.”

“So, then, you’re his damsel. Did he do some other stuff to protect you, too?”

“Uhh, yes,” I said slowly. He came to get me in Minneapolis, he stood up for me in the bar and he took the goons on in the yard. It hit me how many times. “Come to think of it, he has.”

“So, see? You’re his damsel, then.” Remi was resolute in her logic. “If he does stuff over and over, then for sure, you’re his damsel.”

“Hmmmm…” I stalled, not sure what else to say.

Remi pulled the sleeping bag up to her chin with one hand, but her other arm was out and resting on the puppy snuggled next to her.

I reached across to pet my puppy, but her eyes were already closed, and she responded by doing that smacking thing dogs do before they go to sleep when they feel safe that always warmed my heart. Dogs and kids were so precious.

I was saved from further conversation about the damsel thing because the zipper on the outside flap of the tent unzipped and Gem’s head popped up and she barked. “Hey, everyone comfy in here?” he asked as he unzipped the screen layer then bent to zip them both up again, after he came inside.

“Sure are, Uncle Ben,” Dylan answered.

Ben surveyed the inside of the tent with a small flashlight, locating his sleeping bag and one of the pillows I’d brought out from the house. “I guess this is my spot?” he asked and then settled in.

“The biggest and strongest has to sleep by the door and save us from bears,” Remi answered. “That’s you, Uncle Ben.”

I chuckled and Ben huffed out a laugh as he unzipped his bag and slid inside, arranging his pillow before he laid down and zipped up the bag from the inside. “Is that so? I guess that makes sense.”

“Yup!” Remi was very enthusiastic.

“You are the biggest and strongest,” I added cheekily.

“I am, huh?” Ben asked, amused.

“Oh, definitely,” I teased. We both laughed under our breath. It was almost completely dark so I couldn’t see his eyes, but I felt them on me, as he situated himself in his own sleeping bag on the other side of mine and zipped it up. Ben rolled onto his side and propped up his head with one arm.

“Okay, so what do you kids wanna do tomorrow? We can do anything you want.”

“Ride the ponies!” Remi answered.

“Go fishing!” Dylan said.

“Fishing?” Remi said with disdain. “Yuk. Fishing is boring and stinky.”

“Maybe we can do other things near the stream while the boys fish,” I suggested. “We can go on a nature walk and treasure hunt or make something yummy to eat on the campfire. We can ride horses tomorrow and do another bonfire tomorrow night because both of your dads missed out tonight. Then plan a trip into the mountains on Sunday for fishing.”

“That’s sounds like a good plan, then we can take a drive into Yellowstone on Monday. I sure hope Jensen rents a big SUV.”

My heart fell a little bit. I suddenly wished I didn’t have to start my new job, but it was way too close to the start date to change my mind. I’d be leaving the diner owner in a lurch and I couldn’t do that.

“I can text my dad and tell him!” Dylan said, then reached for the phone tucked under his pillow.”

“Hey, no phones on a camp out! We’re roughin’ it! That’s what Jensey said, remember Dylan?”

She was so adorable that I couldn’t help squeezing her and kissing the top of her head. “This is semi-roughin’ it. If we really went all in, you’d have to pee over a log.”

A laugh burst from Ben’s chest. “That would be just awful,” he said wryly. My mind conjured him rolling his eyes.

“Not us guys, cuz we get to stand up.” Pride rang through Dylan’s voice.

“Not to poop!” Remi burst his bubble. “Didn’t think about that, did ya?”

“Well, you have to do it for both, Remi! So there!”

I couldn’t help but giggle out loud as an uproarious laugh from Ben split the night air, and the kids joined in.

“Seriously, logs aren’t that bad. A little rough on the butt cheeks, maybe.” I’d been on many camping trips with Uncle Leonard, and I was an expert at using nature for a bathroom. “I’ll help you, Remi.”

“What do you do with your poop, after?” Dylan had the innocent curiosity of a child of his age.

“You bury it,” I explained. “We always take a shovel for that.”

“Wow.” Ben continued laughing, harder now and more like a chortle. “As much as I’m loving this conversation, I think we should get some sleep. We’ve got a big day ahead of us. Is everyone warm enough?”

“Yes, thank you, Uncle Ben.” Remi sighed sleepily. “I’m tired.”

“Heck, it’s not even cold,” Dylan exclaimed.

“It will get colder before morning, so hunker down, now.”

Remi was pinned between my body inside the sleeping bag, and Gem’s next to her and so we were toasty warm. I was anxious for the kids to fall asleep so that I could sneak a moment with Ben.

“But we didn’t tell ghost stories yet,” Dylan complained.

“Yeah, buddy, but you and Remi are tired, and we have lots to do tomorrow. Ghost stories tomorrow night around the campfire. Deal?” Ben asked.

“Oh, okay.” His disappointment was clear, though he yawned again.

“You’re here all week, kiddo. We’ve got lots of time. Besides, Marin is going to teach us all how to ride horses tomorrow.”

“Can we go say goodnight to Dark?” Remi asked.

I hugged her close to me. “He’s already sleeping, honey.” I didn’t think Ben, who was just getting settled and who had already said he’d bedded the horses