Sean nods. “Yes. Grandpa showed me first and then Daddy did it.”
“It’s something Dad started with him. Orange parties were their thing.”
I place my fork on the plate. “Well, I like it.”
“You should come every day. We have parties at breakfast,” Sean says as he looks at me expectantly.
“Callie can’t come every day, Sean. She has work to go to during the week,” Luke says.
Sean’s face falls. “Oh, okay. But maybe on the weekends?”
I nod. “I’ll come whenever I can.”
He smiles again. And then a mischievous glint hits his eyes. “Maybe when you come, we can have pancakes and ice cream, too.”
Luke shakes his head. “That was a special breakfast,” he says as I fight to hold back the laugh bubbling up. Sean is a master negotiator, but his father holds strong. I love watching them together.
Paris enters the kitchen and glances at us. “I’m heading out now, Luke. What time do you need me home for Sean?”
“Three if possible. I want to go through some paperwork before work tonight.”
She nods. “No problem. I’ll see you then.”
I watch her leave and figure Sean is spending the day with us. I have no problem with this. But as Paris leaves, I hear her welcome someone else into the house. I don’t recognise the voice of who she is speaking to.
A moment later, a short, dark-haired woman joins us, her eyes firmly fixed on me. Those eyes are hard and a little unnerving. “You must be Callie,” she says, her voice as hard as her eyes.
“Yes. Hi,” I say, trying to put some warmth into my voice.
Before Luke can introduce us, she says, “I’m Glenda—Luke’s sister-in-law. Jolene’s sister.” She adds the last two words with emphasis as if she’s trying to remind me that Luke is married.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” I say.
It’s not.
How the hell is Luke surrounded by women I take an instant disliking to?
Luke finally gets a word in. “Thanks for today, Glenda. Sean’s looking forward to it.”
“Oh, he’s not coming with us?” I ask. I’d much rather that than leaving him here with her. Something about this woman rubs me the wrong way, and I’m not sure I’d trust her with my son if I had one.
Luke shakes his head. “No, he’s hanging out with Auntie Glenda.” Leaning close, he murmurs, “I’m not ready to share you yet.”
I’m not ready to share him either, but I’ll always share him with his son.
Luke stands and clears the orange party plate away. “You hungry, Glenda? I’m about to make bacon and eggs.”
She smiles, but it doesn’t touch her eyes. “I’d love some breakfast.”
Oh, goodie.
Yay.
Not.
When she sits opposite me, I push my chair back so I can go help Luke.
“You don’t need to help,” he says as he fries the bacon.