Page 61 of One Hot Daddy

"Will there be ice cream?"Henry asks, his priorities clearly established.To Henry, everything boils down to ice cream.

"Of course there will be ice cream," Fletcher assures Henry, ruffling his hair."What kind of vacation doesn't have that?"

Just like that, the decision is made.I watch as the kids scatter to research South Dakota on their devices, already planning what they want to see.Fletcher's parents exchange amused glances with mine.

"Well, that was easier than expected," I tell Fletcher.

He kisses my temple."Cricket hero, remember?I'm invincible now."

I laugh and nudge him with my hip."Don't let it go to your head, Mr.Murgatroyd."

Two weeks later, we're packed into our rented van, heading north toward South Dakota.The grandparents, all six of them, follow in their own vehicle.That's probably for the best.Eight hours with six adults and four children in one van would test even Fletcher's newfound self-assurance.

My parents, Larry and Joanne Cordell, are thrilled to be invited on this excursion.

"Are we there yet?"Henry asks for the third time in thirty minutes.

"Not even close, buddy," I reply, passing him another snack bag."We've only been on the road for two hours."

"But that's forever!"Henry whines, slumping in his seat while pouting.

"Try looking out the window," I suggest."Count how many red cars you see.First one to twenty wins."

My plan distracts him for all of five minutes before he's fidgeting again.I glance at Fletcher, who's driving with one hand on the wheel, seeming completely unfazed by the shenanigans in the back seat.How does he do it?The man is unflappable these days.

"I need to pee," Charlotte announces abruptly.

"We just stopped twenty minutes ago," Fletcher reminds her, catching her eye in the rearview mirror.

"I didn't have to go then.But I do now."

Fletcher sighs but nods."Next rest stop, then."

I squeeze his knee and whisper, "You're doing great."

He flashes me a crooked smile, the kind that still makes me weak in the knees.Even with four bickering kids in the back, I still take a moment to admire how handsome he is behind the wheel, so confident and relaxed.

"You know," I whisper so the kids can't hear, "watching you take charge like this is really doing it for me."

Fletcher's eyebrows shoot up, and he throws me a heated sideways glance."Is that right, darling?Perhaps we'll need to find some alone time at the hotel."

"Count on it."I delicately trail my fingertips over his forearm.

The rest stop appears like an oasis on the horizon.As soon as Fletcher parks, Charlotte bolts from the van like she's been shot from a cannon.Henry follows, claiming he needs to pee too, though I suspect he's more interested in the vending machines.Josh and Amelia stretch their legs, looking grateful to escape the confines of the van.I watch through the windshield as the grandparents' car pulls up beside us, all six of them appearing remarkably cheerful for people who've been driving for hours.

"Ten minutes," Fletcher calls out as the kids scatter toward the rest stop building."And stay where I can see you!"

I climb out of the van, stretching my arms above my head.The summer air is warm but carries a hint of the cooler weather that's coming.Fletcher saunters up beside me, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind."Halfway there, Jennifer."

"Thank heavens."I lean back against his chest, savoring this moment of peace."Think we'll survive the rest of the trip?"

"With our sanity intact?"He smirks."It's doubtful."

Fortunately, we do survive all three rest stops that we see along the way without losing anyone.And finally, we're we've reached our hotel.Everyone waits in their vehicles while Big Daddy gets us checked in.Fletcher returns a few minutes later, waving for us to exit our vehicles.

Within fifteen minutes, everyone has found their correct rooms---the grandparents, the kids, and also Fletcher and me.The boys have their own room, just like the girls do.Miraculously, none of the children complain.They even go to sleep within ten minutes of bedding down.

Now, Fletcher and I finally get some time alone in our room.But we're too exhausted to make love.Instead, we cuddle.