Thwarting Cupid by Lori Crawford Page B

anywhere.
    There was another reason he needed to get out from under here. He wanted to take the kids to the beach. He knew just how to tire them out so they'd sleep like logs all night so he and Mommy could have their own play time.
    Oh yeah. He needed to make this look good. Hutch took the pliers he'd been using and scraped up the paint on the new toy to age it a bit. He hoped Josh wouldn't be able to tell the difference until they were able to get the real Captain Bobo out of the sink.
    “Josh! I've got him,” he shouted and scooted out from under the sink. He cradled the toy like he'd been seriously wounded. Little feet came running into the kitchen. Josh stared up at him with his huge brown eyes. He reached for the toy, but Hutch held it a little out of reach.
    “I think he's injured. We should put him in the hospital until he feels better. Can you get me some napkins?”
    Josh nodded in solemn agreement and raced over to the drawer where they kept a stash of paper products. He brought the napkins back to his father and watched while he used exaggerated care to bandage the toy up. The toy’s tiny sword was all that stuck out from the swath Hutch created.
    “Will he get better, Daddy?”
    Hutch thought it best to lay the groundwork now in case things didn't go like they’d planned with the plumber.
    “Yes, son. But you have to prepare yourself. He may look a little different than he used to. That's natural after such a battle.”
    “Okay.”
    Hutch stood and looked around the kitchen. He grabbed a small box of tea and dumped the bags out on the counter. He handed the empty box to Josh. “Here. Can you make him a little bed? He'll need his rest so he can recover.”
    Josh took the box and squatted next to it on the floor. With great care, he folded up more napkins to make a tiny mattress and pillow. Hutch lowered the “patient” into the bed then tucked a napkin blanket around him. He looked at his son.
    “There. I think he's all comfy now. We should let him get some rest.” Josh nodded. Hutch picked up the bed and stood. Josh slid his hand into his father's and the two headed to the boy’s bedroom.
    Hutch's heart filled with love. He'd move heaven and earth for this child. When they walked down the hallway, he peeked in his little girl's room. She was wearing a big hat with an even bigger feather sticking out of it and holding court with a table full of imaginary guests.
    Hutch couldn't help but smile when he heard her scolding Stalin to use his napkin. He caught a glimpse of Carissa in the guest room. She stretched up on tiptoes to stuff an old comforter in the storage space above the closet. Her tank rode up, baring her midriff above the tiny shorts she wore around the house. As much as he admired her body, he admired her spirit more. He loved the way she took care of them all. She turned and caught his gaze just then and smiled.
    “Whatcha got there?” she asked, closing the storage door and padding over to them.
    He held up the makeshift bed. “The patient needs his rest to make a full recovery.”
    She met his eyes and gave him a beautiful smile. “That is just brilliant.”
    And just like that, he felt ten feet tall. Hutch didn't know how she did it, but she always made him feel good about himself and what he could accomplish with little more than a look or a word. Carissa swung Josh up in her arms.
    “Isn't Daddy brilliant?” The boy nodded and she planted a kiss on his temple. Carissa turned her smile Hutch’s way again and he smiled back. He couldn't help thinking he was the luckiest man alive.
    She carried Josh into his room. Hutch tried to follow, but he felt rooted in place. Like his feet just didn't want to work. He frowned down at them. They looked normal. He just couldn't get them to move. What was wrong with him?
    He looked toward Josh's room to call for Carissa, but somehow the hall had gotten quite a bit longer. He could still see her. She was just so far away. She waited in the