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His eyes lit. “Oh wow. My fave. I’ll meet you down there. I just have to make a quick phone call.”

“Great.” I pocketed my phone, belatedly realizing I still held Jai’s hand.

Our gazes met as Cadence walked away.

“Come with me?”

“Sure.” He offered a shy smile.

Thirty minutes later, five adults and two kids crowded into a booth. Wesley, in his high chair, had the most space.

I couldn’t have been happier.

After we’d placed our order with Sarabeth, Cadence produced the specs for both houses and passed them to Alaina and Keegan.

Both scrutinized each one. They sat between Jai, who was against the wall, and Alessandra who was on the end busily feeding her son some applesauce.

I sat between Smith and Cadence on the other side.

“Houses?” Keegan pointed to the pictures. “With actual backyards and grass and—”

“Duh.” Alaina rolled her eyes.

I cleared my throat.

“Sorry.” She pushed her sheet back. “And we’re going to see them after lunch?”

I nodded. “Now, I don’t want you to pay attention to the paint color and furniture, okay? We can repaint anything, and you’ll be bringing your own things.” Or I’d be buying new stuff for them—if I could fit it into the budget.

“And it’s three blocks from my new school?” Alaina eyed me “French Immersion, right? Mom said French was so important. She fought to get us into the program.” Spots were limited in Vancouver, and twice Erlene had engaged in what was essentially the hunger games to get her kids into the school.

She’d succeeded. And been so proud of herself.

You did so right by them, sweet lady. I hope I can do the same. “Yes. I’ve already put your name on the list. Regardless of where we live, you’ll be going to this school. I just might have to drive you, or you might have to take the bus.”

Alaina wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want to do either of those things.”

“No, I know that. That’s why Cadence focused on this neighborhood. There are other houses. We’re not in a rush.”

“Unless that nice lady sells our condo.” Alaina held my gaze.

“And I’m eight blocks away from my school?” Keegan continued to stare at the paper before him. “Uphill on the way home?”

“I can come and get you, or you can take the bus.”

“I can walk it.” He tipped his chin up.

“I know you can.” My little boy wasn’t so little anymore. And Alaina was growing like a weed. New clothes for everyone next month before they started school.

“My new friends Arnav and Foster live nearby. They have a dog.”

“Can we have a dog?” Alaina’s eyes widened. “We weren’t even allowed a cat in the condo. Oh, can we get a dog?”

Jai’s gaze shot to mine.

I smiled slowly, then refocused on the kids. “That’s entirely possible. A rescue, though, okay?”

“I know a great trainer I can put you in touch with.” Cadence grinned. “Torah Dixon.”