Jamie Hill Triple Threat by Jamie Hill

Jack.”
    He smiled at her. “I washed, dried and folded them, but I draw the line at putting them away. You’ll have to do that. Hey!” he wiped a tear from her cheek. “I sorted the white and darks, I promise.” He picked up a bra from the top of her pile. “I especially liked folding your things.”
    She snatched the bra away from him and threw her arms around his neck. She murmured softly in his ear, “Thank you. Did I ever tell you that you’re my hero?”
    He pulled away gently. “Hold that thought. I had another brainstorm today. My sister has a couple boys a little older than these two. She had some clothes they’d outgrown and was thrilled to find someone who could use them.” He went around the sofa and pulled up two bags of clothing.
    “Oh my gosh!” Crystal took a bag from him. The first things she noticed were two heavy winter coats, gloves and hats. “Oh my gosh!” She looked through the clothes and murmured “These are like new! How can we ever thank her?” She hesitated when she noticed a price tag hanging from the sleeve of one shirt. “Jack…why is your sister giving away clothes with price tags still on them?”
    He quickly yanked the tag and it came off. “Oh, you know, she’s one of those snooty society gals. Has more money than she knows what to do with.”
    She looked at him with suspicion. “You drove to see her today and still had time to do three loads of laundry? Did you have time to work?”
    “Of course.” He took the bag from her and set it down. “Just call me Super-Jack. Now let’s try on these coats and see if they fit.” He gave one to each boy.
    When they tried them on, she saw that they fit perfectly. Crystal leaned against him and smiled. “I bet you’re a good uncle.”
    “Hmmm?” Jack looked at her for a second, and then said, “Oh, yeah. Kids are great.”
    She smiled again as she watched the boys checking out all the pockets in their new coats. Crystal wondered if Jack really had nephews, or even a sister for that matter, but let it go. He was helping them, and they definitely needed his help.
    They ate, cleaned up, checked homework, gave the boys showers and had enough time left for a few hands of Crazy Eights. When they tucked the boys in and turned out the lights, Crystal knew she needed to go to bed too. She gave Jack a quick but good kiss, and smiled. “See you tomorrow.”
    He dropped back onto the sofa. “Going to bed so soon?”
    She snorted. “I know what would happen if I stayed out here. You call it distraction. Most people have another name or two for it.”
    He closed his eyes. “I guess I’m left with my fantasies, then.”
    She folded her arms across her chest. “I’d better be in them.”
    He opened his eyes and grinned at her. “Baby, you’re the star.”
    “Good. See you in the morning, Jack.”
    “See you.”
    Crystal walked to her room and stopped in the doorway. “Have happy dreams,” she said softly, and caught a glimpse of his smile.
    She’d slept for several hours when Crystal heard a noise and hopped out of bed. She tiptoed into the dark front room and ran smack into Jack’s bare chest.
    He cursed and raised his gun to the ceiling. “What are you doing, Crys?”
    “I heard a noise,” she whispered.
    He tucked the gun between the sofa cushions and peered at her while their eyes acclimated to the darkness. “Noises are my department, babe. You’re supposed to let me handle that stuff from here on out.”
    “Like that’s gonna happen.” She looked around. “Did you hear something too?”
    “Yes, and I checked, but it seems to have been nothing. Everything's secure, both here and next door.”
    She nodded and looked him over. He looked extremely sexy wearing nothing but jeans, unsnapped at the waist. She put two fingers through the belt loops on his waistband and pulled him closer. “Here we are again, alone in the dark.”
    “We keep managing to end up this way.” He stared into her eyes.
    “Must be