Page 124 of Lee

Right at that moment, Lee couldn’t see how that was possible. He had a wonderful woman in his life. One who didn’t seem to care whether or not he knew anything about his biological family.

He wished he could get the medical information he wanted without having to learn anything about what had transpired prior to his adoption by the Halversons. Or maybe he should just be happy with the medical information he’d gained from DNA site.

Maybe the PI would just give him a detailed report in a sealed envelope. Perhaps he should have told the guy that was what he wanted, and that he could just mail it to Lee.

Well, it was too late now. He had to go and have a conversation with the man.

Down in the kitchen, Lee found Rori standing between the girls, spreading sauce and cheese on the pizza shells. He paused in the doorway, watching as Rori leaned down, her attention on Amelia as she talked about something.

Rori had confessed to not having much experience with children beyond having been a child herself. But over the weeks, she’d become more and more comfortable with all the kids. Even baby Shiloh.

“Take a picture,” Janessa said as she walked by Lee into the kitchen. “It’ll last longer.”

He followed her deeper into the room. “What makes you think I haven’t already taken lots?”

Janessa laughed. “Oh, I’m sure you have.”

As his gaze went back to Rori, Lee realized he was getting a glimpse of what it would be like to watch Rori as a mother someday. It cemented within him the desire to be around to witness that. As the father of her children.

Rori looked up, smiling when she realized he was watching her. Lee gave her a wink, enjoying the flush that came to her cheeks as her smile grew.

The playful part of their relationship wasn’t something he’d experienced a lot of in past relationships.

Life had been a lot more hectic back in college and then while working in Chicago. Shifting out of stressed work mode into light and playful had been nearly impossible most days. On the days he did manage it, there was no guarantee that his most recent ex—who’d had an equally stressful job—would be able to.

He loved that he and Rori had lives that allowed them to have those fun moments without too much effort.

Soon, the pizzas were all outside, baked or getting ready to be baked. After getting shooed out of the kitchen, Lee went out to supervise the pizza baking, leaving Rori in the kitchen with Charli and the girls.

However, it wasn’t too long before they were all gathered in the backyard. Hudson and Kayleigh weren’t there, but that wasn’t a surprise since Hudson had just returned from a business trip earlier that day.

Conversation over pizza that night circled around the fact that summer was drawing to a close in a couple of weeks with the start of school. None of the kids seemed excited about it, and Charli was definitely on the fence, which wasn’t usual for her.

“I’m aware that I’m super fortunate that Mom and Denise are willing to help watch Shiloh, but I’m still not looking forward to going back to work.”

“Could you have worked part time?” Rori asked.

“If they’d had someone else looking for a part-time job, they might have been willing to work with me. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. Everyone at the school at the moment wants full-time hours.”

Lee was sure that, given the choice, Charli would be a stay-at-home mom. However, Blake didn’t make a ton of money at the garage, and it probably wasn’t cheap to raise three children.

After dinner, they came into the house to make their sundaes, then the kids sat at the counter, while the adults squeezed into the breakfast nook.

Life had settled into an almost idyllic pace that Lee didn’t just accept, he embraced fully. And after the conversation he’d had with Carl the previous week about taking on the position at the clinic permanently, this life was his for the keeping.

And he was definitely going to keep it.

Lee left the house the next morning a little before eight to make sure he wasn’t late for his nine o’clock meeting with the private detective in Coeur d’Alene.

He hadn’t told anyone about his trip. Since no one was expecting him to be anywhere until his date with Rori later that afternoon, he didn’t feel like he needed to clue anyone into his whereabouts.

The sky was moody that morning, with gray clouds hanging heavy in the sky. The weather person was forecasting some rain, but that wasn’t a definite. Rain or no rain, the sky reflected his current mood quite well.

The peaceful mindset he’d had the night before had vanished. He’d woken up with his thoughts and emotions in turmoil. However, he’d resolutely left the house, even though all he’d wanted was to stay home.

Lee had no trouble finding the cafe where the PI wanted to meet. It was a little hole in the wall place, with large windows at the front to let in light. From the outside, it looked more like a bar than a place to get a cup of coffee.

But as he stepped into the space, he was greeted by the strong aroma of coffee, along with a mix of baked goods. It wasn’t an unpleasant experience. In fact, Lee was enticed to consider ordering more than just a cup of coffee.

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