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“It’s just for one day,” I say. “You have all of your fun activities tomorrow,so you’ll barely miss me.”

“I’ll miss you,” James says, stacking his hands over his chest and blinking up at me. The kids don’t have school tomorrow, but they have about seven classes, from morning yoga to piano lessons before dinner.

“I’ll miss you too, my little jellybean,” I say.

I’m about to stand, but he places his small hand over mine, holding me hostage in the cutest way.

I’m going to be late if I don’t leave soon, but I can stay for another minute.

“Tell me which class you’re most excited about tomorrow,” I say,pushing his soft hair away from his face.

The light in his eyes dims.

“He doesn’t like any of the classes,” his sister answers for him. She’s on the other twin bed, reading a book she got from the school library.

“Is that true?” I ask James.

James frowns like he’s been reprimanded. He shakes his head.

“No,” he says, averting his gaze.

“Yeah huh,” Rosalie says. “I know you don’t like any of them.”

This admission doesn’t sit right with me.I’m aware that the kids have a lot of extracurriculars and tutors for various classes, but I assumed they were actually interested in all of the classes.

“What about you, Rosalie?” I ask.

“What about me?”

“Do you like any of the classes?”

“I love horse riding,” she says. “But it’s right after martial arts, so my legs hurt when I sit in the saddle.”

I want to have a word with Mr. Sinclair about this, but I’ve only been here a week. I don’t want him to think that I’m overstepping again.

“We’ll carve the pumpkins and put up the decorations when I get back,” I say. “Okay?”

“Can we make more cookies, too?” James asks.

The cookies were a big hit with everyone. Rosalie took most of them to school the next day, but we still had plenty left over. They just didn’t last very long.

“Only if you’re a good boy while I’m gone,” I say, tickling his belly.

He giggles and smiles up at me.

“Good night, Miss Turner,” he says.

I say good night to the kids. Even Rosalie gives me a shy smile. She doesn’t completely hate my existence now, so I guess we’re making progress.

I softly close the door behind me.

I’ve only been here a week, but I’m already protective over the kids. They’re not my own, but I would still go to war for them.

That includes confronting their grumpy uncle, who’s been avoiding me like the plague.

I haven’t seen him since the evening we went to the mall for Halloween decorations. He’s gone back to having his meals inside his study. Even though we’re living under the same roof, our paths haven’t crossed even once.

I’m walking back to my room when a peculiar noise stops me dead in my tracks.