Page 74 of Already Home

As soon as he said the words, his expression froze. Jennablinked at him.

“The Force?”

Oh, God. First Serenity with the universe and now Ellingtonwith the Force? She found herself glancing toward the exit.

He cleared his throat. “Sorry. I’m a huge Star Wars fan. I had the lunch box and everything when I was a kid.Isaiah has seen the first movie with me and we’ve been playing with our lightsabers, so it’s on my mind.” He looked completely humiliated. “When I said ‘hugefan’ I meant I like the movies. I don’t have costumes or think there really isan Empire.”

She relaxed, finding the confession more charming than scary.And seeing the somewhat perfect Ellington squirm didn’t hurt, either.

“Light sabers?”

“Toys. They’re toys.”

“Do they make the noises?”

He sighed, as if surrendering to the inevitable. “Sure.Otherwise, where’s the fun?” He stared at her. “Do you think I’m an idiot?”

“I think you’re a lot less like my ex-husband than Irealized.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Very good.”

They smiled at each other.

He cleared his throat. “Now what were we talking about before Istuck my foot in my mouth?” He paused. “Serenity and Tom.”

Jenna would rather have talked StarWars, but okay.

“You know they’re good people, right?” he asked.

“I do,” she admitted. “At first I resented her. I have afamily, I wasn’t looking for more parents. But my mom—” She paused. “I knowSerenity is your client or patient or whatever, so don’t take this wrong, butthe woman who raised me will always be my mom.”

“Fair enough.”

“My mom thinks I should get to know Serenity and Tom. That myconnection to them is important.”

“She sounds very wise.”

“I think so, which means I’m listening. Maybe Serenity isn’t asstrange as I first thought. I can see she’s a lovely person, but she’s nothinglike me.”

“You have a lot in common with her.”

“That’s the second time you said that.” Jenna wrinkled hernose. “I cook with butter, eat meat and the universe has never once sent me amessage. Or the Force.”

He laughed. “I was thinking you shared other characteristics.You look alike.”

“True.” At least she knew she would age well.

“You’re both caring, nurturing people.”

“I don’t nurture,” Jenna protested.

“The act of cooking, of feeding people, is nurturing by itsnature. Food is life.”

“I think you’re taking my work a little too seriously.”

“Or you’re not taking it seriously enough.” He mitigated theintensity of the words with a smile. “Appreciate the gift you bring.”

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