Page 118 of In Spades

“So, what was that about?” she asked once Logan was out of earshot. “He’s never taken initiative with his homework. It’s like pulling teeth to get him to even open his backpack.”

“Must’ve gotten a little motivation,” I said, kissing my way up her neck.

Kristin hummed happily and melted into my arms.

“Are you having a good morning, Sunshine?” I asked.

“Mhmm, the best,” she said in a sigh, closing her eyes in contentment. “I don’t want today to end.”

I pressed my lips to the nape of her neck. “Me either. And as much as I want to haul you back to bed, I enjoy having everyone here. A lot.”

“You mean that?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling. “You know, I was thinking… The kids will be on Thanksgiving break soon.”

“Yeah?”

“And I’m guessing you still have to work.”

Kristin nodded.

“Do you let them stay home alone while you’re at the inn?”

“I usually try to have someone stop by for a few hours. Erica’s a huge help.”

“What if y’all stayed here while they’re on break? I know it’ll double your drive to work, but they can hang out here. I’ll be around. You won’t have to worry about babysitters and schedules or them being unsupervised. And as a bonus, I get you in my bed.”

Kristin’s lips pursed into a hard line. “A little birdy told me you like to let kids run with knives.”

“Scissors, sweetheart.”

She snickered. “I’ll think about it.”

Quiet solitude had always been my preference, so I was surprised by how much I loved having a noisy house. It had been a full day, but it was the best one I’d had in a long time. I’d been having more of those best days as of late, thanks to Kristin.

I wanted to press harder until she agreed to stay here over Thanksgiving, but I decided to let it go for now.

She agreed to think about it, and that was a win. I didn’t want to scare her off. Kristin could be stubborn as a mule. If she felt cornered, she’d dig her heels in and outright refuse.

Before long it was time for us to head back to Havelock. The moment Kristin told them to go pack their bags, the waterworks erupted.

Zoey wrapped her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist and begged not to leave. All four kids argued for one more night and begged Kris to not make them go home.

If it had been up to me, I would’ve hitched their house to my truck and hauled it over just to make moving in easier.

But Kristin and her pride told the kids to load up in the truck.

“Kris, they can stay another night,” I whispered as the kids sulked their way out the door. “I don’t have anything going on.”

She shook her head. “I have to work tomorrow, they have schoolwork, and we need to get back into a routine before Monday.”

“Kristin—”

She put her hand up. “Don’t argue with me about this too, Will. I need you to be on my side.”

“Wanting to spend more time with them doesn’t mean I’m not on your side.”

“This went well.” She ran her hand back through her hair and looked up at the top of the door frame. “Like, really well. But I need space to check in with them and see how they’re doing with all of it.”

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