Page 113 of Sycamore Circle

He was already dreading her going off to college.

“Bo, are you all right?”

He turned to find Joy standing inside the garage. “I didn’t hear you come out. How long have you been there?”

She walked out to his side. She had on a cotton dress that skimmed her calves, pretty sandals, and a prettier smile. “Long enough to hear Chloe make sure you were going to be sitting in the audience,” she teased. “Long enough to realize that you’re a little choked up.”

“I swear, that girl has wrapped herself around my heart.”

“She feels the same way about you.”

“I’m glad.”

Realizing that they were finally alone for the first time all day, he pulled Joy close. “How long do you think we have before someone comes outside to check on us?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Five minutes. Maybe ten?”

“That’s long enough.” He bent down and kissed her. When she relaxed against him, he ran a hand down her back and deepened the kiss.

After too short a time, she pulled back with a laugh. “What was that for?”

“I just don’t want to forget.”

She frowned slightly. “Forget what?”

“This,” he said, waving a hand at the messy garage, the full house, his wife in his arms, his shuttling Chloe out of the house. “I don’t want to ever forget moments like this, Joy.”

Her expression softening, Joy leaned close and kissed him again. Then looked up at him and smiled. “You won’t. Besides, if you do... I know exactly how to make you feel better.”

“And what is that?”

“We’ll just have to make more moments that are just as good.”

Bo smiled. He liked the sound of that. He liked it a whole lot.