Marin Thomas - Twins Under the Christmas Tree

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ISI TURNED IN her exam early and left the classroom. The test had been a breeze—then again she’d studied all weekend. She didn’t have the luxury of failing a class or retaking it. She’d qualified for a scholarship to attend the community college and she had to maintain a 3.0 grade point average to keep her financial aid.

She stopped at the school cafeteria for a bite to eat before her next class and while she waited in the sandwich line, she skimmed through phone messages. When she saw the missed call from the preschool, alarm bells went off inside her head. She gave up her place in line and stepped into the hallway to call the school. After learning Conway had signed out Javier because her son hadn’t felt well, she dialed Conway’s cell. No answer. She left a voicemail, asking him for an update then returned to the cafeteria.

By the time her final class of the day ended, she still hadn’t heard from Conway. She contacted the preschool again and they confirmed that Conway and Javier had returned to pick up Miguel. As soon as Isi arrived at the bar, she texted Conway. When he didn’t answer, she left another message, pleading with him to get in touch with her. Two hours later, she was about to ask her boss if she could leave work early when Conway strolled into the bar with the twins.

Relieved the three males appeared no worse for wear she delivered a drink order to a table while they claimed seats at the bar. When she approached the group, she felt Javier’s forehead. “No fever.”

Conway came to her son’s defense. “He was warm when we got to the school and I didn’t think it was a good idea to leave him there.” He ruffled Javier’s hair and Isi’s heart melted at the affectionate gesture.

“Are you feeling better, Javi?” she asked.

“Yes.”

Isi switched her attention to Conway. “Why didn’t you return my calls?” This gig wasn’t going to work, if they didn’t communicate with each other. “I was frantic wondering what was wrong with Javier.”

“I’ll try to remember to check my phone more often.”

She waved a hand in front of her. “What are you doing here?”

“Conway Twitty Cash doesn’t cook, Mom.” Miguel’s gaze swiveled back and forth between Isi and Conway.

Isi got a discount on her meals, but she didn’t have the extra money to pay for the boys’ food.

As if sensing her dilemma, Conway said, “It’s my treat.”

Isi guessed it wouldn’t hurt for the boys to eat at the bar this one time. She put in an order for three cheeseburger baskets with fries. While she waited tables, she kept an eye on the trio and couldn’t help feel a tiny smidgeon of envy that she wasn’t sitting with them. Whatever Conway said appeared to amuse her sons, because they giggled an awful lot. Miguel was a talker, so it didn’t surprise her that he chatted with Conway. What amazed her was that shy Javier appeared more animated. Maybe Conway’s relaxed personality put her son at ease.

That nonchalant attitude would drive Isi nuts after a while. She was a go-getter, get-things-done-do-it-now-not-later kind of woman and Conway came across as a man who went with the flow. Instead of going after the future, he was happy to let the future find him.

A half hour later, the boys had finished eating and were fooling around with the jukebox in the corner.

“That’s too much,” Isi said when Conway left forty dollars next to the empty food baskets.

“You can never tip enough for great service.” He ran his finger along the bridge of her nose. “The swelling’s gone down.”

“It’s not as sore, either.” She didn’t want to tell him that last night when she’d rolled over in bed and had pressed her face into the pillow, it had felt as if someone had stabbed her up the nose.

“I don’t think you’ll have a bump.”

“I’m not worried about that.”

“You should be, because you have a very pretty, petite nose.”

She scoffed.

“What?” He leaned closer and whispered. “Just because we’re friends, doesn’t mean I don’t still find you attractive.”

Sheesh. The guy was an incurable flirt. The last thing she needed was to allow Conway to slip past her defenses when they both knew they were all wrong for each other. “Javier wasn’t really sick, was he?”

“No. And he wouldn’t tell me why he didn’t want to stay at school.”

“There are a couple of boys who tease him, because he’s shy. Give him a little encouragement when you drop him off tomorrow.”

“You want me to give him a pep talk?”

Conway made her handling of the situation seem stupid.

“Sounds to me like someone needs to tell the bullies to keep their distance from Javier.”

“Stay out of this, Conway.” The last thing she wanted was her babysitter threatening her sons’ classmates. “Red said I could leave early if it’s not busy tonight.”

He slid off the stool. “How’d your test go?”

Startled by the question, she didn’t immediately answer.

“You did have an exam today, didn’t you?”

“It went fine. Thanks for asking.” She wasn’t used to anyone inquiring about her schoolwork.

“See you later.” Conway called to the boys and they left the bar.

Isi ignored another sharp twinge of envy when neither of her sons waved goodbye or acted as if they’d missed her. As a matter of fact, they seemed downright gleeful that they were stuck with Conway.

She returned to work, hoping the night would pass quickly. By the time her shift ended and she arrived back at the trailer, she was exhausted and she still had schoolwork to do before going to bed. When she got out of the car and surveyed the mess in the yard, she groaned. Bikes, pogo sticks, footballs, basketballs, baseballs, mitts, bats, scooters and skateboards were strewn about.

Why hadn’t Conway demanded the boys put their toys away before turning in for the night? She thought about doing it herself, but she was too tired. When she entered the trailer, the place was dark, save for the light above the kitchen stove. She stood by the door until her eyes adjusted to the dimness.

Conway slept on the love seat, legs hanging over the end, boots off. His sexy sprawl triggered a vision of her coming home to him every night—until he found the perfect woman and left Isi out in the cold.

She padded closer to the couch and studied him. Why had he cut his hair? Had he wanted to impress her? Dream on. The shorter hairstyle drew attention to his square jaw and full lips—a mouth made for kissing as she’d discovered a long time ago.

They’d only shared a couple of kisses before Conway had learned she was a single mother, but those kisses had been amazing. The instant their lips had touched, sparks ignited. He’d nibbled her lower lip, making her yearn for more then he’d thrust his tongue inside her mouth and... Isi swallowed a groan and shoved the memory aside.

She glanced at the living room—toys scattered everywhere. When had her sons accumulated so much junk? She’d bought the toys at second-hand stores and rummage sales, but maybe she’d gone overboard. She was the first to admit that she spoiled the twins because she felt guilty for not spending more time with them. Guilty that they didn’t have a father. Guilty that they didn’t have any family except her.

She retreated to the kitchen, where a sink full of dirty dishes greeted her. The boys must have used a clean cup each time they’d gotten a drink. Next, she went into the bathroom and felt their toothbrushes. Dry as a bone—they’d gone to bed without brushing their teeth. She didn’t have dental insurance, so she was strict about making the boys brush and use a daily fluoride rinse. She walked down the hall to their bedroom and poked her head inside. They were sound asleep in their twin beds—fully clothed.