THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

I’d head back in the morning, and I think you’re staying another day, aren’t you, honey?” Von patted Riley’s leg. She nodded.
    Scott stood. “Good deal. I’m going to head on out, but I’ll stop in and check on things tomorrow, if that’s okay with you.”
    “I’d like that.” Kasey got up from the couch and looked back down at Jake.
    Scott gave her shoulders a squeeze. “Happy endings. Good stuff.”
     
    The next morning Jake woke up before Kasey. She’d snuggled up on the couch with him, unwilling to let even a room separate them.
    “Mommy! We’re at the surprise house.”
    “Jake?” His shouting scared her to a sitting position. She relaxed a bit when she saw the smile on his face. “Yes. We’re at the surprise house.” She’d almost forgotten the whole surprise regarding the house.
    Jake’s little mouth formed an O. “Me and Daddy made it.”
    “I know. I love it.”
    Von came out from the guest room in a jog, with Riley at his heels. “Everything okay?”
    “Yeah.” Kasey smooched Jake’s tiny fingers. “We’re good. Sorry we woke you up.”
    Von bent over and opened his arms to Jake. “Where’s my buddy?”
    Jake giggled and ran toward Von, full-speed. Von caught him and airplaned him around. “Vrrrrroooooom.”
    Jake laughed so hard he hiccupped.
    Von set him down and Riley slapped Von on the butt. “No horsing around in the house, boys. Anyone hungry?”
    Von and Jake both raised their hands. “Me. Me,” they yelled.
    “I gotcha covered.” Riley disappeared into the kitchen.
    Soon the smell of bacon to wafted into the living room.
    Kasey called to Riley. “Need my help?”
    Riley leaned into the living room with a dishtowel over one shoulder and a spatula in her hand. “You’re kidding, right? I know how you cook. You stay right where you are.”
    Kasey twirled her hair and flopped back on the couch. “Works for me.”
    Ten minutes later, Riley banged a spoon against a plate and yelled into the living room. “Breakfast’s ready. Come and get it.”
    Kasey and Von each grabbed one of Jake’s hands and ran into the kitchen, swinging Jake through the doorway.
    “Awwwww.” Kasey’s head tilted as she spotted the plate of pancakes on the table. “Heart shaped pancakes. Aren’t you just a regular Martha Stewart?”
    “It is Valentine’s Day.” Riley walked over to Von, slung the dishtowel around his neck and pulled him to her for a kiss. “Be mine?”
    He hugged her tight. “Better believe it. You’re my Sweet-tart, sweetheart.”
    Kasey sat at the table and took a bite of the pancakes. “These are tasty.” She took a sip of coffee. “I can’t believe I almost let Valentine’s Day sneak by.”
    Riley twirled her fork in the air. “You’ve had a little bit going on, my friend.”
    Kasey wrinkled her nose at Jake. “Yeah. Good stuff.”
    Jake chomped on his pancakes. “My favorite.” He took another bite and swung his feet. “Hey, Mommy?”
    “Yes, sweetie?”
    He tilted his head. His lips glistened from the sticky syrup “Am I your valentine?”
    “My very favorite valentine.”
    “Good.” He grinned, then dug back into his pancakes.
    Von finished his breakfast, then got ready to head home. Riley walked him out to the SUV while Kasey helped Jake up to the kitchen sink to wash the syrup from his hands.
     
    “Hello,” Scott yelled from the front door. “Kasey? Riley said you and Jake were in here.”
    “In the kitchen,” she answered.
    Jake jumped down and ran to greet Scott. “Hi.”
    “Good morning, Scott,” Kasey said.
    “Bet you slept good.”
    “Best night in a long, long time.”
    “I brought you something. Sort of a welcome home present for Jake.”
    “You didn’t have to do that.”
    He lifted a shoulder. “I wanted to. I hope you don’t mind. It’s out in the car. Can y’all come outside?”
    “Sure.” She took Jake’s hand and followed Scott out to the porch. Riley waved to Von as he backed out the driveway.
    Scott put his hand up to stop Kasey and Jake. “Stay right there.”
    They stopped. Riley joined them. “What’s going on?” she asked.
    “Scott said he has a present for Jake.”
    Scott opened the passenger door of his truck, then leaned over, disappearing behind the open door.
    “What’s he doing?” Riley asked.
    “Who knows?” Kasey stood on her tiptoes, trying to see.
    A little golden puppy pranced out from around the truck, across the yard. A huge silk bow, with pink and red hearts on it,