I paced back and forth as I waited for my mother to answer her cell.

“Hello?”

“Mom!”

“The desperation in your voice almost makes me want to giggle. It brings back a memory of you in your crib, taking off your diaper.”

I rolled my eyes. “Really, Mom? You have to bring this up again?”

“You clean poop off a wall and tell me you wouldn’t bring it up every chance you got.”

“I was, like, three, Mom!”

She let out a loud laugh. “I know. Oh, man, sweet revenge, and I didn’t even have to lift a finger.”

“Mother, this is serious. I need to get Heather out of this house. I will totally pay for a nanny to come in and help you for a couple of days.” I pushed my hand through my hair, and when I felt something slimy and wet, I quickly jerked it to the front of my face. “Applesauce?”

“What? What about applesauce? I was saying, your father and I would love to come and stay for a few days. We don’t need a dang nanny to take care of our own grandchildren.”

I placed my hand back in my hair and let out a gasp. “How did they get so much applesauce in there?”

“Oh Lord, I’m packing a bag right now.”

She hung up the phone before I could even say anything else.

I was about to hit Gunner’s name on my phone when a text came through.

Mom: My friend Nancy can come and help your father and me out if needed. Don’t worry. Take Heather somewhere and spend some time together.

I loved my mother more than anything right now. I pushed Gunner’s number and glanced back toward the house.

“What’s up?”

“Gunner, I need your help!”

“I truly thank God every day that I didn’t have twins.”

“Ha-ha. I need to get Heather out of the house, but I need to stay close to home.”

“I’m on it. There’s a bed-and-breakfast place right outside of Fredericksburg. I took Ellie there once. How many days?”

I instantly thought of Heather saying she wanted three orgasms. “Three nights. If Heather wants to come back earlier, we can.”

“I’ll call you back with the details.”

“Text me. I need to take a quick shower and get applesauce out of my hair.”

Gunner started laughing, and then he kept laughing, so I hung up on his ass and jogged into the house. Heather was standing at the kitchen island. She was talking to Will and Libby as they ate Goldfish pretzels.

She looked at me and smiled. “Will here wants to give it another go on the potty.”

I smiled and shook my head. “No way, little man. It’s almost bedtime.”

Will made a face while Libby gave me that look that melted my heart and made me want to give her anything she asked for.

Not tonight, little one.

I looked at Heather and smiled. “Princess, I need you to pack us a bag with enough stuff for three days.”

Her smile faded, and her body slumped. “Josh, it’s so hard to travel with them.”

I looked down at the two little devils as they glanced back and forth between Heather and me. I leaned down and kissed them each on the head. Then, I turned back to Heather. “It’s just you and me.”

“What? Oh God, if you’re kidding with me right now, I’m totally cutting your ass off for two weeks!”

I laughed. “Let me jump in the shower and get the applesauce out of my hair. Then, I’ll help with getting them ready for bed.”

Heather let out a little scream and jumped into my arms, which only led Libby to scream in excitement. Will used the moment to take his bowl of Goldfish and toss it across the island.

“We so need this,” Heather said, holding on to me tightly.

“God, I know. Um…baby, you need a shower, too. You have applesauce in your hair.”

I pulled up and parked outside the Magnolia House Bed and Breakfast, and Heather let out a sigh.

“Oh my gosh, it is so darling.” She spun around and smiled. “Let’s go!”

I jumped out of my truck and jogged around to the other side where I opened Heather’s door. She had packed a small suitcase for us, so I grabbed it from the backseat and then took her hand in mine.

After we walked in, we were greeted by Lisa, the owner of the bed-and-breakfast. “Josh and Heather, it’s such a pleasure to meet you both.”

Heather extended her hand. “Thank you so much for having us.”

Lisa smiled. “Where are y’all from?”

“Fredericksburg,” I said before thinking.

Lisa’s smile faded for a quick second before returning. “Oh. Well…”

“We have three-year-old twins,” I added.

Lisa nodded her head. “Oh, honey. This is your retreat for the next three days. I’m at your service for whatever you need.”

Heather and I both let out a small chuckle.

“I’ve been told your breakfast is the most amazing thing we will ever eat,” I said.

Lisa’s face lit up. “Why, yes, it is. You’ll find out tomorrow morning.”

Heather peeked at me through her eyelashes. I was pretty sure we were both thinking the same thing. There was no way in hell I would be getting up in time for breakfast tomorrow.

“Let me show you to your room. Now, your friend booked the Magnolia Suite. That is our most romantic room. You have a private entrance, so you can come and go as you see fit.”

When Lisa opened the door Heather let out a soft gasp.

“It’s beautiful. Look at the antique furniture. Oh my goodness, the mural is beautiful. It almost looks like we are in Italy!” Heather said.

I smiled as I set the bag down on the sofa. There was a small sitting area near the fireplace. I walked out onto the patio and smiled. This was just what Heather had needed—complete relaxation. I was planning on spoiling the hell out of her while we were here.

I walked over and glanced into the bathroom. It was small but looked like it had been updated recently. When I stepped back out, Heather was walking Lisa to the door—or rather, Heather was practically pushing Lisa out the door.

“I think it would be safe to say that we probably won’t be joining y’all for breakfast tomorrow. I’m going to want to sleep in.” I said with a smile.

Lisa smiled sweetly as she nodded her head. “Of course. I completely understand. Enjoy your evening.”

“Thank you, and thanks again for letting us check-in so late,” Heather said before shutting the door.