First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

my sister Skyler would really like it too. Right, Dad?” Liam nodded, answering himself. “But don’t call her Skyler, she likes Sky better.”

Leah smiled happily as she listened to Liam. He was the cutest thing. She glanced at Cade and saw he was equally amused.

“Oh, and Miss Leah?”

“Yes, Liam?”

“Thank you!”

“My pleasure.” And it was. Sharing one of her favorite snacks, watching one of her favorite movies, being here with Cade and Liam, she was so relaxed and happy.

When she polished off the rest of the snacks, Cade offered to make her more. Instead she pulled an afghan off the back of the couch and snuggled in. He put his left arm over her shoulder and squeezed her in close. She looked up at Cade and he briefly kissed her. Turning her attention back to the movie, she felt she had everything she needed right here. Well, almost.

Chapter 5

As Fezzik began his ascent on the Cliffs of Insanity, Liam moved up to the couch. He looked to Leah for approval as he tucked himself under the crocheted blanket with her. She smiled, adjusting it, making sure he had more than enough to cover his little body.

The fall air outside cooled the room this late in the evening. Cade probably had not turned the furnace on yet. She was glad for the added warmth on either side of her.

When Westley and Buttercup entered the Fire Swamp, Liam snuggled close. Leah wondered if maybe this part scared him.

“Miss Leah, do you think ROUSes are real?” Before she could reply, Cade interjected.

“Is what real?”

“ROUS!” Leah and Liam replied at the same time. Cade’s face made Leah want to laugh. Instead she explained, “It stands for Rodents Of Unusual Size. You know, from the movie. That’s what they call them.”

“Yeah, Dad! Everybody knows that.” Liam shook his head at his father before turning back to Leah and repeating his question. “So . . . do you think ROUSes are real?”

“This movie is just pretend, bud.”

“Da-ad! I know but I was asking Miss Leah!”

“Sorry, sorry!” Cade threw up his hands and leaned back on the armrest as if to take himself out of the conversation.

Leah thought Cade seemed pleased with the interaction taking place. She winked at him, then half-turned so she could fully engage with Liam.

“Well, I’ve never seen one in real life. Hmmm . . .” She tapped her chin pretending to think. “But it could be they do exist but only in the Fire Swamp. What do you think?” She turned it back to Liam, curious what his mind would come up with.

“This movie is just pretend,” he parroted his father’s words. “But . . .” his little face scrunched up, deep in thought, “is there anything in real life that is like an ROUS?”

“Oh! Now that’s a great question, Liam! I wonder what the largest rodent is. Should we look it up?”

“Yes!” Liam jumped up excited. He kneeled on the couch beside her, hands on her lap, practically bouncing. “Where’s your phone?”

“Oh, um . . .” She didn’t have her phone. She didn’t even have underwear! Not that she was going to tell the kid that. She turned to Cade.

Arms folded across his chest, Cade did not look like he wanted to help.

“Oh, so now I’m allowed to be part of the conversation? When you want something? I tell you . . .” his lips twitched and it gave him away. He laughed and jumped up to retrieve his phone from the bedroom.

Just before he left the room, he stopped and turned. He looked her straight in the eyes. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“It’s nighttime, Dad! I can’t leave.” Liam turned to Leah. “Where does he think I’d go?” the boy wondered.

Leah knew Cade’s comment was meant for her and she did not want to leave either. Thankfully, Liam’s focus returned to their rodent discussion.

Cade was back quickly. When he saw Leah there, his relief was apparent as he reclaimed his spot on the couch and handed over his phone. She barely got anything typed before Liam started to lose his patience.

“What does it say!” he demanded.

Liam was leaning in so close his sandy blond head practically touched hers. Even Cade leaned in. They were all curious now. Google quickly pulled up the world’s largest rodent.

“Cap-cap . . .” Liam tried sounding it out. “I don’t know that word.”

“Capybara.” Leah carefully pronounced, and Liam repeated it. Together they looked at pictures and Leah listed off facts. Cade sat back still observing. It made her a little nervous but she focused on Liam.

“Hey, it looks like a guinea pig! We have one at school in my class. We named it Snuggles!” He giggled.

“That’s right, they are closely related. But the capybara is much larger. It says here it’s the size of a golden retriever. Do you know what that is?”

“Yes! My friends have one of those dogs. Whoa, that’s a really big guinea pig!” Liam’s eyes were wide with wonder. “What else does it say?”

“It says it looks like a guinea pig but it swims like a beaver.”

“Cool! What else?”

“It’s a herbivore. Do you know what that means?”

Liam’s face scrunched up in thought and Cade supplied the answer.

“Plants. No meat, right? Sounds horrible. Next time you’re over I should grill. Not to brag but I grill a mean steak. You like steaks?”

“Da-ad!” Liam’s tone indicated the subject change was not welcome. “What else, Miss Leah?”

“Oh, gross . . .” Leah wasn’t sure she wanted to share what she just read. She quickly showed it to Cade.

“What the—” Cade caught himself before he said more.

“What? What? WHAT!” Liam bounced and tried to grab the phone. She handed it over Cade for safe keeping.

She looked to Cade for help. He was barely holding back laughter and she imagined the look of horror on her face was the main source of his amusement. He was going to be no help at all.

“I think you have to tell him now,” Cade chuckled.

“Tell me! Tell me!” Liam