Page 140 of The Havenport Collection

“Yup. You helped her with her office, and you help her by babysitting us and coaching soccer,” Henry said, shoveling more fries into his mouth. “You’re a good helper.”

“And we think you’re cool and really good at soccer, so you’d be a good stepdad. And we heard grandma say you’re in love with Mom. So, we talked about it, and we decided it’s a good idea,” Sam looked proud and winked at his brother.

I looked into their hopeful faces and felt a familiar weight settle into my chest. It had happened—they had grown attached to me, and I had grown attached to them.

It was no longer about Violet and me—hell, it never was just about Violet and me.

These awesome little dudes were willing to share their mom, the most important person in their universe, with me.

The thought overwhelmed me with guilt and shame.

They didn’t realize I wasn’t cut out for that, that I was broken.

They had their hopes up, and I would inevitably disappoint them.

Suddenly, the room felt very hot, and my breath began to quicken. Deep breaths. I couldn’t have a panic attack in front of these kids. They looked up to me and thought I was good enough for their mom. I couldn’t show them my crazy and prove just how unworthy I was.

I got up to refill my water glass, turning my back to the kids, who resumed chatting about school and soccer.

I stared out the window and tried to ground myself.

Okay. Name five things I can see. Look, Callum.

Okay, the barn, one. My car, two. The apple tree I hit with my car, three.

A blue soccer ball in the grass, four. Okay, keep breathing.

And, oh, that barn cat slinking down the driveway.

I continued my grounding exercise, naming four things I touch, then three things I could hear, and two things I could smell.

I breathed steadily, noting how the feeling was beginning to pass.

Better. Much better. Now, one thing I can taste.

I looked across the counter and picked up the carton of locally produced organic lemonade the boys were drinking.

Without thinking, I picked it up and drank from the container.

“Oh, Callum, Mom is going to be so mad,” Henry teased. I turned around and saw both boys staring at me. “Sorry. I’ll replace it.” I drained the rest of the lemonade and put it in the recycling bin in the pantry.

“Don’t worry,” Sam said, “we won’t tell on you. We boys gotta stick together.”

I laughed, the traces of panic lessening by the minute. “You’re right about that, Sam. Now, who feels like ice cream?”

I managed to get the boys fed, clean, and in bed by nine o’clock.

Violet had said their bedtime was eight, but that wasn't happening.

How did time pass so quickly when you were caring for kids?

I felt like I needed eight arms to just keep up with them and get everything done.

When I physically and emotionally recovered from this night, I promised myself I would call my mom and thank her for all she did for us.

How did she keep the three of us alive, fed, and clean for all those years?

I clearly needed a reality check because my mother was a goddamn superhero.

I made a mental note to buy her some flowers this week.

I leaned back on the old couch, feeling weary and overwhelmed.

Tonight had been a disaster. I thought I could handle the twins.

They were good kids, and I was a moderately competent human being, but I could not.

I’m a terrible babysitter, and I would be an even worse father.

I didn’t know what to do, what to say. I didn’t possess superhuman hearing or multiple sets of eyes to keep on them at all times. How did parents do this every day?

And I knew Violet would be home soon. And she would be furious that I couldn’t keep them safe and occupied for a few hours.

She’s going to hate me and think I’m such a loser.

I may be able to hide behind the fancy degrees and professional success with most people, but Violet sees right through me. She will know what a failure I am.

It was after ten when Violet finally came home, flushed, smiling, and holding a massive garment bag. She gave me a dazzling grin, and my heart sank even further.

“Let me hang this up. I’ll be right down.”

A few minutes later she came downstairs, wearing some leggings and an oversized T-shirt that slid off one shoulder. I couldn’t stop myself from reaching for her and pulled her in for a kiss.

“The boys are asleep,” she said. “I expected them to still be up.”

I was confused. “You said bedtime is at eight, right?”

“Oh, it is. But I assumed they wouldn’t go to sleep for you and would be bouncing off the walls. Nicely done.” She kissed my neck and snuggled up closer. “Is that the crystal I gave you?” She gently pried open my fingers that were clutched around the amethyst.

“I always have it with me.”

“Because you believe in the healing power of crystals?” she asked saucily.

“No. Because I believe in the healing power of Violet.”

She wrapped her arms around me and held me close. I took a moment to breathe in her intoxicating floral scent and feel the warmth of her body curled up next to me. But I knew what I had to do. I might be a failure as a babysitter, but I wasn't a coward.

I sat back, putting some distance between us. “I’m so sorry, Violet.” I ran my fingers through my hair, forcing myself to make eye contact with her. “Tonight was a disaster. I screwed everything up.”

Violet shook her head. “What? Everything seems fine. The kids are asleep, and the house is still standing. What happened?”

I filled her in on the M&M debacle and Mr. Pickles’s escape.

But instead of getting mad, yelling, or kicking me out of her house, she laughed. And she kept laughing.

She slapped me on the arm. “I can’t believe you held him upside down in the shower! That is brilliant.” She continued to laugh, wiping a tear from her eye. “They really put you through the wringer.”

I stared at her in disbelief. She continued to giggle, smiling at me and clutching the one throw pillow left after Mr. Pickles’s living room massacre. “You’re not mad?” I asked.

“Mad?” She shook her head. “Why would I be mad? About a chocolate nasal extraction and some chicken vandalism? That’s a light day in this house.”

I was completely confused. I had not anticipated this reaction.

“But I didn't stop Sam from sticking the M&M up his nose. And it wasn't safe. And they ate French fries and ice cream for dinner because that’s all I could convince them to eat. And they went to bed at nine. You trusted me, and I failed.”

She stopped laughing, and her face fell.

“Is that what you think?” She gently cupped my cheek.

“Because I don't see failure. I see someone who has survived his first night in the trenches with my kids, and I am incredibly impressed and incredibly grateful.” She leaned up and kissed my lips gently, her touch erasing some of my guilt and shame.

I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into my lap.

She deepened the kiss, threading her fingers through my hair, and I felt every cell in my body relax. This was what Violet did to me. She took all the pain and shame inside me and pushed it away. She was light and love and feisty perfection, and she lit me up from the inside out.

“Let go of perfection, Cal. You know I love you for you, flaws and all. You did me a favor tonight.” She shifted her hips, grinding against my erection, and my hands instantly traveled to her ass, which I squeezed roughly through the fabric of her leggings.

“You gave me a night off and the opportunity to have some fun with my new friends. Your only job was to keep the kids alive, and it seems you did that extraordinarily well.”

I murmured some gibberish response as she bit my bottom lip and continued to grind on my lap.

“And I am so grateful.”

Before I could formulate some sort of coherent response, we were interrupted by the sound of the door opening.

Violet jumped off my lap quickly. “My mom's home.” She smoothed her T-shirt and pulled her hair back. “Once she goes up to bed, we can sneak out to the barn. I have some plans for you, and they include a riding crop.” She winked, and I almost came in my pants.

How was she so fun and sexy and kind? Who was this unicorn fairy princess, and why on earth had she decided to fall in love with me?