Page 82

Then Keegan said his mother had asked him to make sure his father found someone new to love. As far as he was concerned, apparently, he was off the hook.

Erlene never should have put that on his shoulders.

But if the end result was casual acceptance, I might be coming around.

Now we stood in front of D’s favorite of the two top choices. Alessandra, Smith, and Wesley had headed home after lunch.

We’d loaded the kids’ bags into their dad’s trunk and driven here—Alaina chatting the entire way, sharing everything she had learned about Mission City.

I’d caught Keegan’s gaze in the rearview mirror, expecting exasperation. Instead, he had a grin on his face. Something I had seen at camp—something I was grateful to see now.

“The other house was nice.” Alaina scrutinized the front of the second house we’d seen. “But I prefer this one. I love the front porch. We can sit out here with the dog—”

“On a leash.” Keegan’s contribution. He was very safety conscious. Almost too much. Something probably stemming from his mother’s untimely death. Something we’d have to keep an eye on.

“Right.” Alaina rolled her eyes. “But we can sit out here.” She gestured up and down the street. Several clusters of kids were doing…kid stuff. She turned to her dad. “Where do your new friends live?”

He pointed three houses over and across the street. “Arnav is best friends with Jai.”

She pivoted her attention to me. “Your friend who owns the dog?”

“Yes.”

“Can we go meet the dog?”

“We can go knock. Cadence and your dad have adult stuff to talk about.”

Demetrius met my gaze. “You like?”

“It’s your decision.”

He arched an eyebrow.

“Front porches are lovely for sitting and watching the world go by. A couple of rocking chairs and you’re good.”

Cadence chuckled.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Demetrius squeezed Alaina’s shoulder. “Good call.” He pivoted his attention to Keegan.

“As long as I get the blue room. I don’t want to repaint it—I love that color.”

That bedroom happened to be a bit larger than the one Alaina would likely choose. The fourth would be for Demetrius’s office.

“I like the yellow room. Can I keep that color?” Alaina turned to me. “I don’t do pink.”

Cadence smothered a laugh.

I offered a bright smile. “Neither do I. I’m all about yellow or green.”

“Well then that big bedroom is perfect for you and Dad.” She pointed. “You said, dog?”

I blinked.Just like that? You and my dad are going to share a room? There’s no way that’s normal. Kids don’t just accept huge changes like that.

Demetrius caught my gaze as if asking what I thought.

I tried to convey my panic.

“Alaina?” He watched her as she turned to him. “You’re okay with Jai…?”