There with You (Adair Family 2)

“No problem. I’m going to braid her hair today. Maybe a fishtail—or a mermaid tail, as Eils prefers—or I could do a braid crown …”

He didn’t ignore my inane rambling. In fact, he didn’t seem to find it inane. His expression softened. “I don’t know what that is, but I’m sure she’ll love it.”

Oh, boy, the tender look was even worse than the laughter.

“Okay, you better go, right?” Go, leave, now!

“Breakfast: cereal. No need to get fancy. I always treat them to a big breakfast at the weekend. Cereal is in the pantry. Lew likes Corn Flakes, no sugar. Eilidh likes Froot Loops.”

“Got it.” I gestured toward the door. “I have everything handled, I promise.”

Thane frowned. “We haven’t gone over your domestic duties.”

“Do laundry, clean house, cook dinner, right?”

“Right.” He eased backward. “But just lightly dust in my office. I want nothing moved.”

“You got it.”

“And Eilidh likes her bears arranged on her bed and around her tepee exactly so.”

My mouth trembled with laughter. “She and I will have a good talk about that.”

His eyes widened, as if a thought just occurred to him. “The kids are learning to clean up after themselves, so if their rooms are a bomb scare, no dessert after dinner. That’s the rule and they know it.”

“Good to know.”

“Lachlan should have a car for you in the drive, and Robyn said she’d guide you to the school so you know where you’re going.”

“Great.” I was a little nervous about driving in a foreign country.

“And—”

“Thane,” I cut him off. “We’ll manage for one day. And then you and I can talk tonight. You’re going to be late for work. Don’t worry—Eilidh and Lewis are in excellent hands. I promise.”

Anxiety flashed in his eyes, but he quickly shrugged it off. “Right. See you tonight.”

I waved, ignoring the fact that his adoring, caring dad thing was extremely appealing.

When the door closed behind him, I slumped against the counter.

“You can just stop that kind of thinking right now,” I muttered, irritated with myself.

* * *

I’d inhaled a bowl of cereal between getting Eilidh and Lewis ready for school. After a far too lengthy discussion about what I’d put in their packed lunches (and a promise to have a serious conversation about their likes and dislikes when they got home from school), I’d just gotten them into their shoes when the doorbell rang.

It was then I remembered Robyn was guiding us to school. My nerves dissipated at the thought of having my sister near. The familiar and comforting was always nice in an unfamiliar situation.

“You’re here!” I threw my arms around her as soon as I opened the door.

My sister seemed a little bemused but hugged me. “You okay?”

I pulled away, nodding, walking back to the mudroom. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, just first-day jitters.”

The kids were already making their way down the hall toward the main living room, so I stopped and waited.

Eilidh’s pretty face lit up at the sight of Robyn, and she went running to her for a hug.

“Hey, sweetie,” Robyn greeted, lowering to her haunches for the hug. She caressed one of Eilidh’s fishtail braids. “Look how gorgeous your hair is.”

Her big eyes sparkled. “Ree-Ree did it! They’re the best pleats ever. Maisie can’t make fun of my hair now.”

“Who makes fun of your hair?” I queried before I asked Lewis if he had everything he needed.

He nodded while Robyn reached out to tug on his hand. “Hey, you.”

He gave her a small smile.

“Maisie!” Eilidh answered, turning to me. “You have to meet Maisie, Ree-Ree. She’s my first best friend. Anna is my second best friend. Well, Maisie was my first best friend, but now you’re my first best friend, Maisie my second, and Anna my third. But we won’t tell them that.”

Heart melting in my chest, I met Robyn’s gaze, and she grinned at me.

“You’re my best friend too,” I whispered loudly in her ear, “but don’t tell Robyn.”

“Robyn can hear you.” My sister pretended to be affronted, making Eilidh giggle.

“Right, do we have everything?” I asked them again.

They nodded.

“Okay, then.” I grabbed the house keys off the kitchen counter and gestured for Robyn to lead the way.

To my shock, she led us to two Range Rovers. Hers, I recognized, a shiny black Evoque. The one behind it was larger—a silver Velar.

“You’re kidding, right?” I said as she smirked and handed me a key fob.

I took it, dazed.

“Lachlan’s fleet at the estate is all Range Rover,” she said, as if that explained everything. “Trust me, you want an SUV that can handle the roads here.”

“Is this your car, Ree-Ree?” Eilidh ran up to the silver vehicle and slapped it.

My eyes bugged out as I turned to Robyn. “I’ve never even driven on this side of the road, and you want to put me in a $70,000 car for my first try?”