Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135300 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 677(@200wpm)___ 541(@250wpm)___ 451(@300wpm)
I laugh and shake my head.
“I do remember. And that’s a little dramatic, kiddo, but thanks.”
Unable to help myself, my eyes flick from their smiling faces to where Kane huddles over the stove. By the looks of it, he’s wrapping up his feast prep.
He’s dressed casually in a hoodie that might be a size too small. The fabric stretches across those massive shoulders, and when Dan mentions me saving Sophie’s life, he sends the kid an annoyed glance.
Guess he still doesn’t like me.
Fine and dandy, it’s mutual.
But he turns, holding a frying pan with sizzling bacon, and nods at the table.
“Have a seat,” he says. “You like bacon?”
“There’s scrambled eggs too. Dad makes the best with the butter—oh, and toast!” Dan announces.
Sophie pulls a jar of Nutella from a bag on the counter and plunks it down on the table.
This is the most indulgent, classic American breakfast I’ve seen in ages.
Possibly the first time I’ve seen one outside a sitcom. Definitely not something I’m used to.
If I even bother with breakfast these days, it’s fast and healthy ninety percent of the time. Usually a grab-and-go yogurt parfait with chia seeds or an açai bowl or maybe just a banana on the way to getting on with my day.
I don’t skimp on coffee, though.
Life would suck without caffeine.
Like he can hear my thoughts, Kane pushes a button on a small sleek-looking coffee machine off to the side. It’s too new for this house, so it must be something he brought, and that convinces me to slide into my seat.
“Pancakes?” Daniel offers. He’s a miniature version of his dad, although he’s mastered the art of smiling. “We have maple syrup, bananas, and blueberries.”
“And Nutella,” Sophie chimes in. Her eyes are big behind her glasses as she looks at me shyly, then away again. Adorable.
“Berries and a little Nutella sound good,” I decide. Both their faces light up, and I know I’ve said the right thing. “Did anyone else notice the elves who fixed the stairs overnight?”
Kane snorts as he brings the bacon over and takes the final remaining seat. His sharp green eyes land on me like swords.
“I wasn’t about to risk another accident. Those old stairs are steep. Somebody could break their neck if they’re not careful.”
“Chill, Dadzilla. I said I was going to call someone.” I grip my butter knife tighter than necessary.
The kids giggle.
“No need. I saved you the trouble.” He looks away pointedly. “I’ll replace the burned-out bulbs, too, and start sanding down some splinters on the old dock. I noticed it’s a little rough this morning, but it has good bones.”
“It needs cleaning—that algae, yuck!” Dan wrinkles his nose. “It’s all covered in black stuff. It got all over my hands yesterday.”
“And your jeans,” Kane says with weary patience, but he sends Daniel a wink that makes the boy smile. “Looks like good weather to make it shine. Think I could get a little help?”
“You’re not my maintenance guy, Mr. Saint,” I remind him.
He glances at me quickly, then looks away before I can read any layered meaning behind that broody expression.
“And you can stop fussing. Consider it a perk of keeping us around,” he says firmly.
But I can hear what he doesn’t say. Let’s not argue in front of the kids.
Fine, idiot.
“Yeah, Dad, I’ll help,” Dan says. “Do you wanna start after breakfast?”
“Isn’t there something else you need to do first?”
“Huh? Like what?” The boy tries to sound innocent, and he isn’t fooling anyone.
I can’t help smiling, remembering when Ethan would do the same thing.
“You can come help out after you’ve finished your homework, little man. You promised me you’d start this school year strong before we left, and I’m holding you to it.” Kane gives him a knowing look.
“I’ll help you with math,” Sophie volunteers. “It’ll go way faster.”
It’s hard not to laugh at the way the boy scowls. So familiar.
Not that my brother was ever much help with homework.
Certainly not when he turned into a teenage punk, but when it came to family drama and friend group fights, he always had my back.
“Aw, do we have to do it now?” Daniel asks.
“Yes, Bud. The sooner you hit the books, the sooner you can hit the docks, and the faster we can all hit the water. Get moving and we might make it out on the lake today.”
Sophie’s face lights up.
The difference is stark.
When she forgets to be shy, she’s a pretty girl, radiating light. I bet she’ll be gorgeous when she’s older.
“You promise, Dad?” she asks excitedly. “Can I take my telescope? The little one?”
“Only if you let me make sure you’ve got the solar filter on first. I’m not letting you burn your eyes out staring at the sun,” Kane says, frowning as he crumbles more bacon on his pancakes.
“Yeah, I know!” Sophie chirps. “I actually just want to look at the scenery. No sky until after dark.”