Chapter 31

“You’re looking better,” he said.

“I don’t know about that, but I feel better. Have a good practice session?”

“It was more like a marathon workout, but yes, I did. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower. It was rather warm in the church.”

“I’ll go next door and visit with Mrs. Lane for a while,” Noah’s mother said.

She left the room, closing the door behind her.

“Alone at last,” he said.

“Lock the door,” Noah said.

“Okay.”

He went to the door and secured it. “What did you have in mind, big boy?”

“Something involving the two of us getting naked.”

“Works for me. Need any help undressing?”

“I don’t think so.”

Later, as they embraced belly to belly on the bed, he said, “God, I’ve missed you.”

“Yeah, it was only like twenty-four hours, but it seemed an eternity.”

“I think we both need a shower right now.”

“Yep.”

They took a long warm shower together, after which Tom dressed Noah’s incisions.