Page 33 of Icebound Hearts
When I reach the bottom of the stairs and they come into view, I pause for a moment, a grin spreading across my face. They’re both following along as a woman on the TV screen instructs a group of kids to “get their wiggles out” before she calls out a litany of actions for them to perform—things like “touch your toes,” “spin around in circles,” and “wave your arms.” The kids on the screen throw themselves into each action, and so does Jake. Violet is doing each activity too, although I can see her keeping a careful eye on Jake to make sure he doesn’t get too excited and bump into anything.
It’s fucking adorable.
“That’s right, kids!” The woman on the TV claps her hands. “You’re all doing wonderful! Ready for your next move? Let’s do downward dog!”
Jake cocks his head, clearly confused, and Violet grins at him.
“Like this, bud.”
She demonstrates it for him, her legs and upper body forming a perfect A shape as she bends forward.
“Oh cool!” Jake does his best to match her, putting his hands on the floor too.
“There you go.” Violet nods encouragingly, her blonde ponytail cascading over the top of her head as she leans into the pose a bit more.
My gaze shifts from Jake to her, and my breath catches in my throat.
Fucking hell, she’s gorgeous.
She makes the stretch look effortless, and although she’s just wearing a comfortable looking t-shirt and a pair of sweats, they cling to the supple lines of her body in a way that has my imagination shifting into overdrive.
I clear my throat, partly to announce my presence and partly to gather myself, and Violet twists a little to look over at me.
“Oh, hey!” She grins and straightens up as the woman on screen tells everyone to stand like a tree. “Are you ready to go already?”
“Yeah. All set,” I answer, shoving my hands into my pockets as I mentally chastise myself for thinking about things Idefinitelyshouldn’t.
Get a fucking grip, Townsend.
“You got ready faster than I thought you would,” she says as Jake lifts his hands over his head, trying to balance on one leg. “Are you sure you don’t want me to take him? I don’t mind.”
“It’s no problem. I’ve got some other errands I need to run after I drop him off anyway.”
“Okay.” She smiles easily, and my gaze drops to her lips for a second before I drag it away. “Maybe I’ll get some stuff done too, then.”
I clear my throat again, and my voice is a bit more gruff than I mean for it to be when I speak again. “Sounds good. You ready to go, Jake?”
“Yeah!” He nods enthusiastically, dispensing with his attempts at tree pose as Violet turns off the TV.
I already got him dressed before I showered, and although his clothes got a little rumpled from his game with Violet, I’m not bothered by it. He’ll probably come home from the birthday party with some new stains on his clothes anyway.
“Alright. Don’t forget Carter’s gift.” I gesture to the tissue-paper laden gift bag Jake left sitting on the ground by the TV. He grabs it and hurries to me. “Let’s hit the road. See you later, Violet.”
“See you,” she says with a wave, and I lead Jake outside to the car and get him buckled up in the booster seat.
“What was that game you guys were playing when I came downstairs?” I ask, and Jake beams excitedly.
“It’s called Get Your Wiggles Out! Ms. Violet said it would be good for me, and for her too. She said it was good for her heart.”
That makes a lot of sense after what she told me, but as I climb into the driver’s seat and start the engine, I wonder if her heart is still a concern for her.
“I can’t wait to jump around in the moon bounce!” Jake exclaims, and I smile at him in the rearview mirror as I back out of the driveway.
“Sounds like you still have some wiggles that you didn’t get out yet.”
“I guess so. Carter said his mom might let him have a Nerf war too!”
“Sounds fun. Just try not to lose an eye, okay?”