Page 56 of Together Is Where We Belong

“My mom used to sing it to me. Sometimes she still does when I’m upset. I don’t mind singing it to her. She’s cute,” Luke said as he rubbed his finger gently over Olivia’s soft hair.

“How about we go to the barn, and I can show you the horses?” Leo suggested as Luke made his way back around the table.

“Horses?” Luke asked in a high-pitched voice.

“Yeah, buddy. Do you want to go meet my horse?” Leo asked with a hopeful tone. I leaned against the island and smiled at his excitement.

His little hand rested in his dad’s as they walked around the table and out the back door.

Holden and Brooks got up from the table and carried their dishes over to the sink before they kissed their mama on the side of her head and thanked her for dinner. She leaned in to each of them and then shooed them with a hand towel as she started to clear the rest of the dishes.

“How can I help?” I asked Lillian.

“You don’t have to help. Just sit here with me and keep me company,” she told me as she carried some plates over to the sink. My parents raised me better than that. I went over to the table and carried the bowls holding the food over to the island. Ainsleigh got up from the table when I walked back to grab the last of the dishes and walked over to the sink to help her mom.

“You want to go down in the den with me and watch the baseball game?” Sawyer asked Gentry who happily obliged, leaving me in the room with Ainsleigh and Lillian.

I didn’t know where she kept her Tupperware, so I leaned against the island as I watched Ainsleigh and Lillian take care of the dinner dishes.

“What are your intentions with my brother?” Ainsleigh asked while she washed the plate in her hand.

“Ainsleigh,” Lillian warned, and Ainsleigh looked over at her with a pointed stare.

“No, it’s okay, Lillian. I don’t have any intentions with your brother other than coparenting with him,” I honestly said. Even though I secretly longed for a family unit for Luke, I knew that was far off. I had to focus on my troubles and get them sorted before I even thought about a romantic relationship.

“And you aren’t going to up and leave again?” Ainsleigh pried.

“No, I’m not going to up and leave again. I wouldn’t have introduced Leo and Luke if I didn’t have intentions of staying. I’d never do that to my son,” I replied.

“He’s a cute kid. He’s very well mannered. And the way he was with Olivia makes me want another baby,” Ainsleigh said, changing the course of our conversation, apparently satisfied with my answers.

Lillian chuckled at Ainsleigh’s mention of another baby.

“Thank you,” I told her, not knowing what else to say.

“I wanted to ask you something so I’m glad Leo took Luke out to the barn,” Lillian said as she wiped her hands on a hand towel and turned around to face me. She looked nervous, and if I had to guess she was about to ask about spending time with Luke.

“I know he’s new to meeting us and all, but how do you feel about him coming here to spend some days with me while you work? I don’t want to interfere with how you have your schedule set up, and if it’s out of your way, I could pick him up when you need to leave for work. I just want to spend time with him,” Lillian rambled, and I walked over to her and put my hand on her arm to stop her.

“Of course you can spend time with him, Lillian. I’m happy you asked. It means a lot to me that y’all are welcoming Luke with open arms into your family. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for him. He goes to my parents’ house everyday while I’m at work. We’ll get it all worked out,” I promised, feeling lighter than I did when I first entered their beautiful home.

“And you’ll get me an EpiPen to keep here too, right?” Lillian thoughtfully asked.

“Absolutely. He keeps one in the backpack I take to my parents’ house, but I’ll get one for your house too,” I told her.

“Did Leo tell you about the community event we’re holding at the ranch next weekend?” Ainsleigh asked.

“No, he hadn’t mentioned it.”

“We’ll have hayrides, lots of games for the kids, and local vendors lined up. It’ll be a good time, if you want to bring Luke by,” she suggested.

Luke would love that.

“We’ll be here,” I told her, shocked that she’d want to include me in the plans.

Ainsleigh smiled at me before she turned back to finish washing the last of the dishes.

“Is he all registered for school here? I can’t believe the summer is almost over and school’s about to begin again,” Lillian said.