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She nodded. “It already is.”
After they parked, the kids piled out in the midst of Hailey’s reminders to be calm and respectful of other people since they were in a nice place.
As they were ushered into the backroom, the kids were surprisingly well-behaved. They seemed to sense that this was important and tiptoed through the restaurant, taking it all in.
“I looked over the menu. They have cheeseburgers the kids might like, and a shrimp macaroni and cheese. Or they said they can make some chicken fingers if we ask the waiter.”
“That’s great.” Hailey looked over the menu, frantically searching the dishes.
Landon brushed his hand across her elbow behind the table. “And everything is on me tonight. Order whatever you want.”
“Landon…” she began.
He held up a hand to interrupt her. “I want to do this. Please let me.”
She sighed as she leaned back in her chair. “Okay. Only if it’s what you really want.”
“Trust me, it is.”
Hailey tried to pick something that sounded delicious but was still reasonable.
The kids were so well-behaved that she was shocked. They talked and were a little too loud, but they stayed in their seats and ate their food without complaint.
“Why did we come to such a fancy place?” Charlotte asked over dessert.
Hailey’s heart pounded at double speed when Landon cleared his throat. If he had something important to say, he hadn’t told her.
“Because,” he began and flicked his eyes to Hailey. “Because you’re such a special family, you deserve a special night out. And because I like spending time with you and wanted to treat you.”
Charlotte smiled as she took another bite of her hot fudge sundae.
“We like spending time with you too,” Carter spoke up.
“Yes,” Hailey agreed. “We do.”
“I’m glad,” Landon said. “Because I’m planning to stick around for a while.”
“It’s almost like being a family again,” Ellie said quietly.
Hailey’s eyes stung with tears that formed quickly.
Landon must not have heard her because he asked what she said.
“It’s almost like being a family again,” Ellie repeated.
Hailey watched the shock and sadness that washed over Landon’s face.
He reached out for Ellie’s hand. “Sweetheart, you never stopped being a family. I know it’s different without your daddy, but your mom and your sister and your brother are still here with you. You’re still a family, and you’re loved and taken care of.”
Ellie gave him a faint smile. “And now we have you too.”
“That’s right. You have me too. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Hailey tried to swallow but felt like an elephant had sat on her chest. The words were too painful. Of course, he didn’t think he was going anywhere, but he couldn’t make that promise. Kyle thought he would always be with them too, but the future is never certain.
“I know I can’t promise nothing bad will ever happen,” Landon said, as if he read her mind. “But I promise I’ll do my best to be here.” His eyes met hers, and a silent promise passed between them.
In that moment, Hailey felt it in her soul that he meant the words he said, and that he cared about her and the kids more than she could know.
