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It’s just as beautiful as the guesthouse I’m staying in, maybe even more so.
The white rustic theme is continued from one to the other, though the living room at Ken’s leans much more country club than fancy barn motif. A large patterned area rug lies over hardwood floors, and elegant striped couches and antique armchairs square off with a stone fireplace that reaches all the way up to the top of the high ceilings.
Along one wall is nothing but square blocks of windows with thin trim, providing a breathtaking view of Cedar Lake.
There’s a stuffiness to everything, though, and it makes my skin itch, like I’ve been placed in an uncomfortable outfit and can do nothing about it.
“Your home is beautiful,” I say, unsure of what topics are right for our first real conversation in my life.
Ken nods, giving me a real smile, though it’s still small. I’m starting to get that he might not be that comfortable with showing his emotions on his face, or maybe he’s one of those levelheaded types—like I thought Boyd was when I met him on the plane—and he just doesn’t have a lot of emotions to express.
It would explain his lack of wrinkles, that’s for sure, but that could just be Botox.
“Linda dabbles in interior design,” he tells me. “She got her bachelor’s degree and had a business for a while, but ultimately she wanted to be a mother. So now, it’s all recreational.”
I bob my head, my eyes still tracing over everything I can see, trying to drum up something else to say.
When my eyes land on a family picture over the fireplace, I head there, wanting another chance to see the boys.
It’s another version of the photo Ken sent to me in his message, though this one is a lot less posed. Instead of all four of them smiling at the camera, this one looks to be some kind of blooper where they’re laughing at something unseen.
When I feel a bubble of happiness in my chest, I let it simmer there for a moment, feeling thankful that even if I don’t know my little brothers, they look to be having a good life.
“They’re 8 and 10?” I ask, even though I already know. Maybe the boys are a safe subject we can discuss while we’re still getting our feet wet.
“Yeah. Elliott turns 11 in October, and he’ll be going into junior high in a few weeks. He’s very excited.”
I smile, my mind scrambling to create a picture of my younger brother with only the handful of things I know about him.
“What are they like?” I say, turning and walking over to the least ostentatious chair in the room to take a seat.
Ken scrubs at the little bit of stubble around his jaw with the back of his hand, taking a moment to think it over.
“Elliott is rambunctious. Very sporty. He loves to snowboard and has been working with a private instructor, hoping to compete professionally once he gets a little older.”
My eyebrows rise, and I can’t help but wonder what the cost of something like that is, though I guess I shouldn’t be surprised considering the size and style of their home.
Immediately I feel petty. I shouldn’t be comparing what he spends on his boys to what he spent on me. I should feel happy that they’re getting the awesome experiences Ken has been providing for them.
“Nathan wants to be like his brother, but he’s not as outgoing, so he’s just now learning how to kind of be his own kid. He loves kayaking and hiking, but more for the views and chance to explore nature. He’s really into frogs.”
“They sound amazing,” I say, and I absolutely mean it. “Do you think…I mean, is there a chance I’ll get to…you know, meet them? While I’m here?”
Ken made it clear that it would be just him and Linda at dinner tonight, saying the boys already had plans to do a sleepover at a friend’s house.
I call bullshit, though I’ve kept that opinion to myself. I think Linda doesn’t want me around them for whatever reason, and she’s made it her goal to make sure it doesn’t happen. Maybe that’s judgmental. Maybe I’m jumping to conclusions. Or maybe I’m just hitting the nail right on the damn head.
Regardless, I’ve been wondering whether or not I’ll get to meet them since I found out they existed, and I’m hoping Ken is going to be willing to give me the one thing I’m eager for.
As much as I’d like to have some kind of a relationship with Ken result from this trip, I can only hold out so much hope for things to work out well.
Knowing the boys—having brothers—is something I can actually see happening at some point.
“Elliott and Nathan?” he asks, almost surprised, as if we weren’t just talking about them.
I nod, unable to hide the eager expression on my face.
He opens his mouth then closes it again, shifting where he stands.
