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it.
Well, I highly doubt he could find us now. He d need magical powers or something to be able to
follow the muddy trail I left behind.
The kids had stopped at the corner and were tapping their little feet impatiently as they waited for
Hunter and her to catch up.
Holding their hands tightly, they crossed. The park came in sight up ahead, and the twins
enthusiasm at its sight was contagious. With a laugh at Hunter stuck dragging the wagon, Suzie sprinted
with the twins toward the swings.
When he finally arrived, the twins were soaring on the swings, powered by Mommy pushes.
Hunta! screamed Jared. Wook at me!
Me too! squealed Jessica. I go high!
To the twins vast amusement, Hunter stood in front of them and pretended to be hit by their flying
feet. Falling to the ground and getting up with a mock growl, the children howled and kicked their feet
at him. He pretended to lunge at them, and when their little feet hit his chest, went rolling backward in
the grass. Suzie laughed. She d never seen a grown man go through such antics to amuse children.
As is the case with all young children, though, this game lasted only for about fifteen minutes before
they were off the swings and racing for the slides.
Suzie and Hunter wandered over to a bench in the shade and watched them play.
You ve got really nice children.
Yup, replied Suzie smugly. Hey, when it came to kids, hers were the best!
30
It s funny. I d never really hung out with little ones and stuff before. Never realized how much fun
it could be.
It s great most of the time. Scary sometimes, though, too. Like when they run high fevers in the
middle of the night or when they decide to play hide and seek, but don t tell you first. And then there are
the times they drive you mad whining and bickering. But all in all, I have to say, being a parent is hugely
rewarding. Nothing beats hearing that first word. Or the first time they walk. Suzie looked at him
sideways. You planning to have kids some day?
Hadn t really thought about it before, but now, having met yours, I have to say, I d like at least a
half dozen.
Suzie looked at him with her jaw hanging open. Are you insane? Six kids! Suzie started howling
with laughter.
What s wrong with six kids? Hunter asked defensively.
Well, first of all, you need to find a woman crazy enough to go through childbirth that many times.
Let me tell you, pregnancy is not a bed of roses. Then there s the cost of raising that many kids. Not to
mention your sanity.
Okay, so maybe just a couple, to start with, he said with that endearingly cocky grin of his, eyes
dark with some emotion she couldn t identify. Once again, as if he were the sun and she a flower, she
found herself leaning toward him and . . .
Hunta, where the fwogs?
They pulled apart guiltily as Jared came flying up to them.
Ready to catch some frogs, little buddy? Hunter asked.
Jared bobbed his head eagerly. A hilarious, but successful frog hunt ensued with the handsome
Hunter wading in murky pond water, jeans rolled up to mid calf. Watching him with the twins, crouched
down to their level, holding a slimy frog for them to pet, Suzie felt her heart bursting. Is this what it would
feel like to be a real family with a daddy? Maybe she shouldn t dismiss Hunter as a possibility. But what if he
turned out to be a jerk? Could she afford to allow her children s hearts to be broken? And what about my
own heart?
She had no time to ponder this thought further as her hungry frog catchers came running up to her,
demanding food. Laying out the lunch items and watching the twins tousled hair and animated faces,
she knew she had a lot more thinking to do.
Hunter and the kids tore into their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with relish. Suzie stuck to her
ham and cheese. Grown up food, she thought with a grin. Watching Hunter and the kids fool around,
trying to talk with peanut butter tongues, she wondered how a man who d never been around children
could get down to their level so easily. He acted like an overgrown kid, himself. And the kids loved it!
After their picnic lunch, Jessica wanted to be pushed on the swings again while Jared wanted to play
in the sandbox. Hunter went with Jared and started helping him build some roads with trees and bridges
while Suzie pushed Jessica on the swing and exhorted her to pump her legs. To no avail, apparently only
Mommy pushes would do.
A tinny song erupted from the vicinity of Hunter s pants, some catchy salsa number that had her
raising her brow in amusement. Hunter pulled out his cell phone with a sheepish grin.
I changed the ringer by accident and can t change it back. Hunter looked at the number on his cell
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