Family Ties by Louise Behiel

no idea it was going to be such a horrendous undertaking.”
    “Well it’s done now. And from all appearances you’ve done a good job getting organized. Even the other night everything seemed to be in place.”
    “It was, for the most part. Things fell into place right away. I feel as if the days were forty-eight hours long and the organizing fairies were around to lend a hand for every minute of them.”
    “The organizing fairies?” He chuckled.
    “You know the ones who leave you a mess even though you’ve cleaned everything right before you went to bed?” When he waited, she continued, “Well, I figure there must be neatnik fairies too. They’re the ones who come out and clean every so often.”
    He loved her whimsical explanation for what had to have been some hard work and dedicated effort. “We both know nothing would have happened without some good management and great organization.” He raised his glass to her. “Here’s to the manager.” And saw the intensity and focus in her eyes.
    Gray drained his glass and returned it to the table. She was easy to be with, but if he didn’t get the apology over with, he might never make it. Better to get out of here before he took her in his arms and had something else to apologize for. “I should go home and get some sleep,” he said, rising from the chair. “I actually, uhm, I came over to apologize about ... uhm you know – what happened in the kitchen – earlier.”
    Curiosity flickered in her eyes. Or maybe it was embarrassment, he couldn’t tell. “I shouldn’t have grabbed you like that and I wanted to apologize. I don’t usually go around grabbing my neighbors.”
    She rose and ended up no more than a foot away. His palms itched with the desire to slide up and down her arms, maybe cup her shoulders and pull her close. He noticed her softening nipples through her shirt. He willed his legs to move, but they weren’t being too obedient right now. His mouth felt as if he’d been in a desert for the last few days. If he wasn’t careful he’d be making amends for more than a kiss.
    A little smile lifted the corner of her lips. “It was no big deal, Gray. We’re adults. No harm done.”
    He wasn’t so sure he agreed, since his libido had been on fire all evening. As he stepped forward to explain the effect she had on him, a scream from inside the house whipped her head around.
    “Jamie.”
    ***
    “It’s okay baby. Andie’s here, hon.” She held the shivering little body against hers and rubbed his back until he relaxed back into sleep. She laid him down and covered him with the other Spider Man sheet then ran her hand over his forehead. “It’s all right little man. Rest now. You’re safe.”
    She hummed a tuneless melody until she was sure he’d drifted into a restful slumber then rose, twitching his blankets straight around him. She took one last look around and was surprised to see Gray leaning against the door jamb. Quietly making her way out of the room, she left the door slightly ajar.
    “Poor little guy.” Gray spoke in a whisper. “What’s that about?”
    “I wish I knew specifically. He’s had them since he moved in with us. I don’t think he remembers them when I wake him. Or he doesn’t want to talk about them.”
    “I’m not surprised given how he screams. From what you said, he’s got good reason.” Turning toward him in the kitchen, she couldn’t miss Gray’s shudder.
    “I know. Pretty heavy stuff for a little boy. Plus he’s got the added burden of being shuffled from home to home.”
    “Why are they doing that? It’s obvious he needs stability and a good home right now.”
    “I agree – which is why he’s here and why I took him even though I was moving right away.” She plugged the kettle in. “His other homes were with good, caring people. But they don’t have the education or experience to deal with the problems of a child like Jamie. So he’s here.”
    “You certainly have a good hand with