Finding His Way Back to Her

Chapter 53

Chapter 53

Over at Amelia's house the kids were out back playing leaving Amelia and Collin alone in the house. "Now that the paintings are at the gallery, I will go there Monday to make sure the paintings get to New York. Are you going to come with me?"

"If you can wait for the kids to go to school, I would love to go."

"That should be fine. They are not shipping them until 11:00."

"I still need to work on the last painting for the art show. It will have to be shipped later than the ones that left today if I don't finish."

"It should be fine. They will get these set up at the gallery and set up a place for the last one that you are working on."

"All these years I have worked with you; I never see you getting panicked that something didn't get there, or something is going to go wrong. The first showing here I was a nervous wreck."

"I have done this for years; I know how to deal with things. It comes with time and experience."

"Why don't we go outside and keep the kids company. I think they are playing in the pond. For some reason they get the biggest kick out of the fish swimming around their feet."

"Why don't we take them to the beach. The beach always inspires you and I would like to get wet."

"I know the kids would like that a lot. "As soon as the kids go to sleep tonight, I am going to work on this last painting."

"I'll tell them, and we can take off as soon as they get ready."

"I will put something up for dinner while you and the kids get ready. That way when we get home, I don't have to take time to make it."

"Kids we are going to the beach. Get your bathing suits on and hurry."

The kids ran in and up the stairs in a flash. "I think they like the idea." Collin started laughing as he went up the stairs. An hour later they were at the beach.

They were having a ball in the water. "Mum, can we come here every day?"

"Not every day but I will try to take you once a week maybe twice."

Collin was playing with the kids and saw Amelia sketching. He put his finger over his lips to tell the kids to be quiet. He then snuck up behind Amelia and picked her up. "Collin put me down right now."

"You are going to come play with us and that is final" He walked her into the water and threw her in.

"Mummy is all wet." The kids thought it was so funny they rolled around the beach laughing.

"That is not nice Mr. Dunavan." She chased the kids one at a time throwing them in with Collin joining in. It is late, we should head for home, you guys look cold and tired. Evan your lips are turning blue let me wrap you up in the towel."

"Ames this has been a great day I love being with you and your kids."

When they got home the kids got a bath, ate, and Amelia read them a story as Collin stood in the doorway watching. "They are finally asleep." Amelia says as she takes Collin's hand leading him downstairs. "Would you like some coffee?"

"I would love a cup." He then takes two cups out of the cabinet.

Amelia took the cups. "Thanks." She filled them and passed him back his. "Let's sit in the living room."

"It is getting late do you still want to paint?"

"I usually paint at night like this. Are you sure you don't mind me painting and leaving you in here?"

"It's fine I can stay out here and sneak in and peek every so often." He got a smile from her that let him know it was okay to peek.

Collin was watching television and dosed off. When he woke up it was very late, so he went looking for Amelia. He peeks in the art room. "Ames you in here?" He didn't get an answer. When he went in further, he saw her sleeping on her painting stand. All different colors of paint all over her arm and face. "Ames wake up, you fell asleep in your art room."

She lifted her head and looked around. "Collin I'm sorry I got into my painting, and I must have fallen asleep."

"It's okay but you have paint on you, and you had to be uncomfortable. Why don't you get a shower and go to bed."

"That sounds like a good idea. You should go to bed too it is still dark outside."

In the morning the girls woke Amelia, Evan woke up Collin. "We are hungry and want to eat."

"You do, do you. Why don't I take you all out for breakfast and save mum sometime in the kitchen."

"You don't have to do that Collin I can make breakfast."

"Nope I am taking you out for breakfast and then we are going out for the day and have some fun." Collin rubbed his two hands together thrilled to spend the day with Amelia and the kids.

"Where are we going to later?"

"I don't know Evan. I am going to have to ask your mum I don't live around here."

All three kids and Collin looked at Amelia for an answer. "I don't know, tell me what you want to do, and I will find a place we can do it."

"Uncle Collin what do you like to do?"

"I like climbing mountains, hiking, and riding four wheelers. I like seeing new things, so anything is good for me."

Amelia got a shitty grin. "I know where to go. There is a place where you walk on these dirt roads that go out into the water. You can see all kinds of birds and fish as you walk. If you are too tired, you can ride a golf cart. If you want, you can go up the mountain trail and not take the dirt road. The mountain trails have four wheelers you can ride on the trails. What do you say you want to go?" All four of them got the biggest smiles. Well from the looks on your faces we are going."

"You heard your mum get dress we are going to have fun today." Collin fist bumped Evan as he ran past him. "You made some very happy kids there."

Amelia walks over and leans into Collin. "I think we made some pretty happy kids. I am setting up a surprise for you."

"A surprise for me? Tell me what it is."

"Don't worry you will love it."

"Collin pecked her lips. "We better get dressed or they are going to be here yelling we are holding them up."

The five of them went to a neighborhood restaurant that is known for the best breakfasts around. "This place has been here sense I was little. My mum and da brought me here when I was little."

"Do they have waffles?"

"You can have waffles all the time try something new Olivia."

"Fine I want pikelets then."

"How about French toast and bacon. Maybe some banana bread."

"That is a good brekkie from home." Olivia is happy now.

"Fine is that what you all want?"

"Can I get a cinnamon scroll? I like them better than banana bread."

"That is fine but here they are called rolls."

Evan shakes his head. "Mum, they talk funny here." Collin and Amelia chuckled at Evan.

"It is alright you will figure it out. Collin what do you want?"

"What they are having sounds good to me. Tell them extra bacon." Once the order is placed, they start talking about spending the day together.