Con crawled with Caroline and Grace both on his back. “Nope.”
I smiled as one of the dogs sat next to me and rested its chin on my arm. Looking at it up close, it was pretty cute. Then, it opened its mouth and burped into my face before getting up and running away again.
I wasn’t sure what was happening to my family and how it would all end, but things were vastly different in a very short amount of time. It was kind of nice.
Chapter 16
***Autumn***
That night, Greta and Jeremiah were off. Zeke stepped up and decided he’d cook dinner for us if I helped him. So, the kids hung out with Con and the new babies while Griffin caught up on work. The house felt lighter with the dogs in it, the kids happier. It was almost like a normal home for a moment.
I was in such a good mood. I was so impressed with Griffin adopting two dogs from the shelter. I was impressed that Jones and Caroline hadn’t wanted puppies, but two older dogs who’d been in the shelter for at least a year each. Sir Fluffy Butt and Wiggles, named by the shelter staff, were going to do amazing things for Jones and Caroline, I knew. Jones had already loosened up some.
I typically danced and sang while I cooked for myself, and it was hard to keep my excitement in after having such a good day. I didn’t want to expose all my secrets to Zeke, though.
He seemed like he was in a good mood, too. He was all flirty looks and light brushes as he moved around me. There was something else to him, too, though, that I couldn’t figure out. He seemed almost pensive.
I’d been assigned chopping carrots for the dinner, but I quickly realized my knife skills weren’t up to par with Zeke’s expectations. He shook his head and moved behind me, wrapping both arms around me to show me how to properly hold the knife.
“They were getting chopped.” I bit my lip as he closed the space between us and pressed his body into mine. “Maybe not perfectly, but still.”
He chuckled. “This way they cook evenly and you’re less likely to lose a fingertip.”
I held my breath as he wrapped his hands around mine and adjusted my grip on the knife. He tucked my fingers in and then moved, helping me glide the knife through the carrot expertly. I’d never known cutting carrots could be erotic before then.
Lowering his voice, he pressed his lips against my ear. “I missed you while I was gone.”
My stomach fluttered, but I ignored it. “How could you miss me? You don’t even know me.”
“I know enough.” Moving away, he went back to preparing the steaks. “I also know that you turned this house upside down while I was gone. I am flabbergasted that you somehow got Griff to adopt two dogs. The kids have asked for a puppy a thousand times. He never wavered before.”
I went back to chopping the carrots the easy way. “I don’t know what got into him. Maybe seeing the kids playing with them? I really did just take them by to play. It wasn’t meant as a sneak attack on Griffin to make him get them a dog.”
Zeke looked at the carrots and sighed before looking me over. “I’d fire you if you were in one of my kitchens, but you’re fucking beautiful enough that I’ll keep you around here.”
I laughed. “Shut up. My carrots aren’t that bad. You’d really fire me?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Your knife skills are atrocious. I’ve seen Jones chop better than you.”
“Now you’re just trying to hurt my feelings.”
“Not at all.” He washed his hands and then leaned against the counter and looked at me. “Do you cook a lot when you’re at home?”
I thought about my apartment and sighed. “Some. My mom and grandma live close enough that I’m guilty of stopping by to eat their food sometimes.”
“You miss them?”
I snorted. “God, no. They’re insane. I’m glad to get some space from them. It’s the apartment I miss.”
“You could probably have Griff give you the weekends off if you want to go home. As long as you’re good with taking me with you.” He winked and straightened when he saw me almost cut myself. “Okay, you’re fired here, too. Just...sit on the counter and keep me company.”
I laughed when he easily lifted me onto the counter and moved to fix his precious carrots. “You’re a tough boss.”
“I have plans for your hands. Plans that would suffer if you cut your finger open.”
“Plans?”
He gave me a searing look. “Plans. I’m far from finished with you, Autumn.”
