She glanced at her luggage still sitting where I’d dumped it after I entered the house half an hour before. “Looks like everything made it in. Wanna show me where to stick my stuff?”
“Nah, I’ll carry it up after lunch.” I gestured for her to follow me. “I’ll give you the grand tour.”
“Awesome.” She padded behind me. “Nice house.”
I nodded. “That’s exactly how I think of it. House. A place to hold my stuff.”
Her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong with that?” She pulled out a stool while I walked over to the stove.
After pouring the macaroni into the boiling water, I faced her again. “I want a place to hold my heart, a place filled with the people I love.”
“I love you, Daddy!” Keyon launched himself into my arms.
“And I love you, too, buddy.” I grinned and held him close a moment before growing serious. “Having you here is the closest I’ve been to that dream,” I murmured as I stared into her eyes.
Tegyn inhaled sharply, but nodded. “I see,” she responded. Then she shook her head. “So, what’s for lunch?”
“I’m making macaroni and cheese.” I pointed to the box.
“And?” Her brows rose.
“And what?” I frowned.
She sighed. “That’s no lunch for a growing kid.” Tegyn wandered over to the fridge and peered inside. “Okay, I’m seeing signs we need groceries.” Opening the freezer side, she murmured, “We have hot dogs.” She moved to the pantry and stepped in. “How about some canned fruit too?” Instead of looking to me for approval, she grinned at my son. “Do you like hot dogs, Keyon?”
He nodded happily. “And fruit.”
Teygn made her way to the stove. “Saucepan, then step aside. I’ve got this.”
I think my hand was shaking slightly as I passed her the pan. This was new to me. Camilla hated cooking. She hated cleaning. She wasn’t the least bit domestic. Two minutes in my house and Tegyn was going to make it a home. I could feel it. And that thought was equal parts exciting and terrifying. I reached in the cupboard and passed her the pan she’d requested. Then I wandered around the island and sat beside Keyon.
“What you think of this, Key?” I asked him, worried it was moving too fast and he’d be confused.
“I yike she.” He smiled.
“You like her?” I asked, once again trying to correct him.
“Yes, Daddy,” he whispered.
I frowned. “Then why so quiet about it?”
“When you loud, they leave.” Keyon leaned his chin on the granite.
His words hurt. I knew why he thought that. He was awake the night his mother left. He was here while Arionna packed up. Why wouldn’t he worry about losing Tegyn? I knew how he felt. I didn’t want to lose her either.