6
“I want a chapter from Mr. Popper’s Penguins,” Maddie announced from the backseat.
Holt watched as Cayla unhooked the five-point harness on the car seat. “We didn’t remember to bring it home from Mimi’s house, Munchkin.”
“But you promised, Mama!” A thread of whine crept into her voice.
Though it had been years, Holt recognized the signs of an overtired kid. And no wonder. After their whirlwind surprise wedding, they’d gone out for a celebratory dinner in Johnson City, followed by the promised chocolate cake. With the hour’s drive home, Maddie was crashing on every level. The sigh Cayla tried to muffle told him she wasn’t far behind.
“Maddie—”
“I want Holt.”
Surprise flashed across Cayla’s face before she backed away from the car and made an after you gesture.
Holt bent to scoop M
