Toni scooped Cole from his crib and held him close inhaling his baby smell. The nursery was the first place she went when she and Travis arrived back at Glenridge from their month long honeymoon. Travis stopped by the loo.

They  caught the household by surprise coming back two days early and unannounced. Kyle had been let off in Queensland and made his own way home after the secluded resort Toni and Travis spent some time in.

“I knew you’d be in here,” Travis came through the nursery door, “He’s changed.”

“I woke him up and I’m not sure he’s too happy about that. He has changed and feels heavier, here you want him for a minute.?”

 

“A minute, come on woman you know better than that.” Travis took his son and left the nursery walking down the hall. He resisted the urge to go and fire up his computer and walked through the house to the kitchen. Tomalee almost had dinner ready. She had to scramble to put something together for them.

Lee was busy putting fresh towels in the bathroom and making sure everything was perfect in their bedroom.’

“Uncle Travis,” Tee came bursting into the kitchen, “I saw you coming down the drive.” He was breathless.

“Hey, Tee,” Travis smiled and reached out and gave him a one armed hug. “How are ya?”

“I’m good. Um, Mike Roberts is here. We didn’t think you’d mind. He’s over staying with his Dad for the summer and most days he comes out here.”

“Oh he does, does he? Where is he?”

“He’s up helping muck out the stables.”

“Good lad,” Travis grinned

Tee bounced around and headed for the door, “Glad you’re home, I missed ya.” He grinned and stepped outside.

Travis smiled and glanced over at Tomalee, “Has he been giving any trouble?”

“Not to me, he don’t give me trouble. You talk to Jimmy, he’s been looking after him and Mike.”

“Oh, I will. How is everything?”

“It’s all good, Travis. Mrs. Stanley and  Jude they go back home a day after you left. No bother there at all..”

“Ordinarily I would ask my housekeeper these questions – “

Tomalee laughed out loud, “Oh you should see Lee run when he see your car comin’. Ha, he run so fast the rugs bunch up on the floor. You come back early and try to catch us all, eh?”

“No, I don’t worry about any of you like that, Tomalee. We got home early because that’s the way it worked out. Did Kyle make it back?”

“Yes, Sir, he’s back in business in the guest house. Tee’s been staying nights down at the farmhouse with his little friend.”

“Okay, good,” he smiled and walked outside with Cole.

Toni met up with Lee in the hallway and he went to bring their bags to the master bedroom and unpack for them. Like Travis, she went thought the house checking to make sure everything was as it should be. She stopped by the stack of mail on the hall table and fanned through it. A note from her mother thanking everyone for their hospitality and kindness and a note from Jude saying mostly the same things but on the back of his card he’d written a PS. It looked like he might be back. Things had not worked out for him at home. Toni hated to hear that. She placed the notes with the rest of the mail back on the table.

She stepped out of the front door and looked across the drive to the gazebo and smiled. That’s where she became Toni McGee, Mrs. McGee. She heard Travis shouting and went around the side porch. He was greeting a boy with Tee. She squinted her eyes, was that Michael?

Travis met the boys on the drive. “Hey there, Mike.”

“Mr. McGee, I really appreciate your letting me spend some time out here.”

Travis winked at Tee, “I’m glad you could come.”

Toni walked up and joined them, “I thought that was you, Mike. You’ve grown about a foot since I last saw you.”

Mike Roberts smiled and accepted her hug, “Nice to see you too, Toni. I’m kinda dirty,” he tried brushing himself off.

“Tee’s had him working in the stables,” Travis said over his shoulder.

“Tee, what a way to treat a guest.” Toni said.

“He’s not a guest, Aunt Toni, he’s my friend.” Tee declared.

“He’s a good friend to have.” Toni smiled and reached to take Cole from Travis.

“I guess I’d better, um, go see if I still got a cattle station.” Travis landed a kiss on her cheek.

“I guess you’d better.” Toni watched him with the two boys heading for the barn.

It was back to sharing him again. She rubbed Cole’s back and hugged him. “I love your daddy.”