But more than that, I had Oak. For as hard as I’d fought our attraction, I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. He was a ray of sunshine and brought contentment to my soul. The nights he slept at his cabin were nights I didn’t sleep well. But even though we’d been dating for a few months now, I knew it was too early to beg him to move in with us at the Yellow House. He still needed his independence as he worked through his trauma.
And he was putting in the work. There were days he came home from therapy emotionally raw and bruised. Dr. Marks, he told me, was pleased with his progress and he’d dropped down to one appointment a week. The important part for me was thatOakthought he was making progress. I’d feared a setback after his mother had shown up out of the blue a few weeks ago, but Oak was doing okay for the most part. He had his moments where it was just a lot, and he was sad, but really, he was doing great.
I wished he was with me now, dancing around my kitchen and shaking his delectable ass, while I cooked dinner, but he was working so I would just have to wait. He came over after dinner service every night, and slept in my bed most of them, but that was our time together. First as a family, and then just the two of us. It was the highlight of my day.
Thinking about all of that, I realized my children were quiet. Too quiet. I’d learned a long time ago the difference between the kinds of silence children could make and this one sent my Dad-senses tingling. They were up to something.
Turning down the burner so the pasta didn’t boil over, I went in search of them. The living room was empty, and so was Tris’ bedroom. I heard the soft murmur of voices then, coming from Harper’s room, so I slowed my steps and dialed up my hearing, straining to hear what they were plotting.
“But, Gramps! We need it.” Tris’ voice rose a little too high, and both his sisters shushed him.
A second later, as I stopped just out of sight, I heard Sean’s genial grumble, “But why? Gotta admit, it’s a little strange.”
“You gots lotsa wood, Gramps,” Tristan said, indignant.
“That I do, my boy. But when my youngest grandchildren call me up and ask for it, I wouldn’t be a good Gramps if I didn’t find out why, now would I?”
Marlie chimed in. “Yes, you would. The best Gramps in the whole world.”
Sean’s chuckled rumbled through. “I’m super good at keeping secrets. You can tell me and I won’t tell a soul.” He made azzztnoise, so I imagined he zipped his lips. The younger two giggled, but Harper hummed thoughtfully.
“Okay, we’ll tell you.” Harper’s voice was low and conspiratorial. “It’s for Oak. He needs something to make him happy. And I measured his fairy doors, so I have the size right. I measured twice, just like you showed me. We’re gonna make him fairy doors for his collection because he needs a smile.”
My heart squeezed painfully, the love I had for these hooligans just desperate to get out.
“Well, that’s a mighty nice thing to do,” Sean said. "I suppose I can get you three pieces of wood for that.”
“What’s going on here?” I asked, strolling casually through the door like I hadn’t just been eavesdropping. All three had been huddled around Harper’s iPad, cuddled together on her bed, and they looked up in shock.
“Aaah! Abandon ship!” Tris yelled, far too loud, and dove off the bed. He landed hard, and I winced, but he started laughing a second later so I knew he was okay.
The girls giggled at their brother’s antics and I chuckled too.
“It’s a secret surprise, Dad,” Marlie said through the laughter.
“And you’re roping Gramps into it?” I tsked like I disapproved, but I was grinning too hard to make it believable. I swooped down onto them, kissing both of their heads, and then grabbedTris as he climbed back up, giving him a quick tickle just to hear his peal of laughter.
“Gramps is our ‘complice,” Tris said, and I wondered where he heard that word. I had a sneaking suspicion it was from Teague. I could just picture their uncle doing something shady and calling the kids his accomplices.
“Oh. Well then.” I dipped down so I could see Sean’s beaming face. The joy there was unmistakable. I winked. “Make it four, hm?”
Sean’s grin grew wider. “Now that’s a plan.”
A few days later, we collectively decided to go to dinner service and bother Oak while he was working instead of eating at the house and waiting for him to come home. I couldn’t get my kids to eat meatloaf if my life depended on it. Dana on the other hand? Every time it was one of the selections, all three of the kids begged to eat at the Inn. When I playfully grumbled about it, Tris’ eyes got wide.
“But Auntie Dana’s hascheese.”
The auntie was reserved only for Dana. I wasn’t sure which one of them had started it, but Dana loved it. I think it’s why the kids all got double servings of twice fried French fries with their meatloaf, instead of the garlic mashed potatoes it was usually served with. She was spoiling them, but I couldn’t complain.
Just as we were commandeering a table, Felix ambled in. He was moving well today, with only his cane for assistance, and when he saw us, he came over. I pulled out a chair and insistedhe join us. Oak had probably talked him into coming to dinner, and I liked the man’s company.
“I don’t want to intrude,” he tried to demur.
“Mr. Felix, does your shop still gots the sword?” Tristan asked, practically bouncing in his seat. Oak had stopped into Nostalgia Nook with Tris the other day, and my son had been enamored with the claymore Felix had on display. Oak had had to move fast to keep the kid from touching.
Felix sat, albeit a little reluctantly, and engaged in conversation with Tristan. For Tris’ part, I only had to remind him once to use his inside voice. Cora served us our dinner, Oak snuck in conversation when he could, and Felix did his best to answer Tristan’s incessant questions. All in all, I thought it was a successful dinner.
“Mr. Huntley! What are you doing here?” Marlie called out, and I jerked my head up to see her teacher ambling toward us with a beaming Nic at his side. She looked even tinier next to the incredibly tall man.
