Page 47

Things had been going really well with Mimi since the night of their date. She was warmer toward him, and every night he’d been allowed to tuck Danny into bed.

In those moments when they both stood in Danny’s bedroom and took turns kissing the little boy and sending him off to dreamland, Johnny truly felt he was with his family, and he wanted it to last forever.

Yet still she hadn’t told him that Danny was his, and she hadn’t told him she wanted to build a life…a future with him. He was being held in some sort of a limbo torture chamber, waiting to see if she was going to claim him or eventually kick him to the curb. Was he just wasting his time with her?

Maybe it was time for him to demand a paternity test. He had a feeling if he did, it would end any hope of having her back in his life. He wasn’t ready to do that just yet.

It was with that thought in mind that he headed to her shanty that evening.

It was another warm night, and the animals along the trail seemed more active than usual. Maybe it was because the weather report said rain was moving in later in the night. He just hoped it didn’t rain so much that they couldn’t work the next day.

A small bit of anxiety burned in the pit of his stomach. Tonight he intended to push Mimi for some real answers as to where their relationship was going. He needed to know if he was just wasting his time with her.

He hadn’t gone far into the swamp when he ran into Jean-Luc on the path. “Evening,” he said to Johnny.

“Back at you,” Johnny replied.

“I suppose you’re on your way to Mimi’s shanty.” There was a bit of longing in Jean-Luc’s voice.

“I am.”

“I’m on my way into town to get some groceries,” Jean-Luc replied. “Uh…would you tell Mimi that I miss seeing her and Danny?”

Johnny nodded. “I’ll do that.”

The two men said their goodbyes, and then each of them continued on their way. Johnny could almost feel bad for Jean-Luc and the others. He knew what it was like to love a woman with all your heart even knowing that love wasn’t returned. Hell, Johnny was in the middle of just that, but he was hoping to get some real answers from her tonight.

It didn’t take him long to reach her shanty. As always, he felt the sweet sense of homecoming as he walked up the bridge to the front door.

She answered his knock, as usual looking beautiful in a pair of jeans and an emerald green T-shirt that perfectly matched her eyes. Her hair was loose around her shoulders. He immediately wanted to tangle his hands in it again and pull her toward him for a deep, passionate kiss. His desire to have her once again already blew hot and wild in his blood.

“Hi, Johnny,” she greeted him with a warm smile.

“Hi, Mimi,” he replied as he stepped inside.

“Johnny.” Danny launched himself into Johnny’s arms. With a laugh, Johnny caught him and held him close. “Are you going to play with me tonight?”

“Don’t I play with you every night? But first, let me visit with your mother and grandfather,” Johnny replied. He set Danny back on the floor.

“I’ll go get my blocks,” Danny said and ran for his bedroom.

“How was your day?” Mimi asked as the two of them sat side by side on the sofa. The sexy scent of her wafted in the air, again making him want to pull her close.

“Actually, it’s been pretty good. Beau found my trailer today. Well, actually Stump found it and called Beau,” he said.

“Oh, I’m so glad it was found,” Mimi said.

“Where was it?” Gramps asked.

“Shoved into the brush about a hundred yards from the swamp’s entrance,” Johnny explained. “Hopefully Beau will be able to get something off it to identify the thief before I get it back sometime tomorrow.”

“And the tools were still inside?” Mimi asked.

“They were, thank God,” Johnny replied.

“So, it was taken just to mess with you.” Mimi’s gaze on him was troubled.

“That’s what it looks like. I also believe the person who stole it is the same person who attacked you,” Johnny replied.