Page 13 of Hot Zone

“Okay, let’s get you all settled, and then we’ll figure out tomorrow. You know where Steven’s old room is. You’re welcome to stay there, or you can stay in the guestroom. The mattress in there is new, comparatively speaking, but you’re familiar with Steven’s room, so it’s up to you.”

Mars chuckled. “I had my first kiss in that room.”

“With Steven?” I asked, surprised.

“Oh, hell no. That would’ve just been weird. With David Ackerman. The three of us were hanging out, playing video games. He and I were sitting side by side on the bed, and he was just so cute. I went for it.”

“What happened to David?”

“I don’t know. I kissed him, he kissed me back, and then we acted like it never happened.”

“Teenagers, right?” I asked.

“Yeah, but anyway, I’m thinking I’ll stay in Steven’s. I don’t remember the bed being all that uncomfortable, and it might be kind of fun.”

“Why don’t you leave Kismet in her carrier until we get your stuff in from the car? I’d hate for her to run out of here since she’s in a new place.”

“That’s a good idea.” He dropped the backpack that he had slung over his shoulder. “I’ll start bringing stuff in.”

“I’ll come help.” I followed him out to the car.

“Everything’s in the back seat.”

I looked, and there was a litter box, a box of litter, and a few shopping bags. I’d known he didn’t have much, but realizing that the two of us could basically get everything he owned into thehouse in one trip made it all hit home. I grabbed the cat supplies while he grabbed the rest, and we went inside. He turned to the left and went down the hall to Steven’s old room. He flipped on the light as he went in and tossed the bags on the bed, looking around. “It looks basically the same.”

“This room does, but this is the part of the house I’m just starting to work on. Unfortunately, I started with the shared bathroom between the guestroom and this room. You’ll be fine to use the toilet and the vanity, but I’m in the middle of retiling the bath area. So you’ll have to use mine to shower.”

“I always loved that bathroom. I know it’s probably silly, but I thought it was so cool the way it opened into both bedrooms but had a separate door you could shut to take a shower.” He chuckled.

“Thatishandy,” I agreed.

“It is. I think I was probably obsessed with the idea of privacy back then, having grown up on the ranch. Knowing I could take as long as I wanted to shower and not have to worry about anybody needing in was really awesome.” He paused and looked worried for a second. “Not that I mind having to use yours now. I didn’t mean that. I got over that a long time ago.”

“Why don’t you get everything all situated in here, and I’ll go get the cat carrier for you.”

“Thanks. Kissy does really well in her carrier in the car, but she hates being stuck in it otherwise.”

I grabbed the carrier, brought it back to the room, and set it on the bed next to his shopping bags. Then I stood back and watched as he got everything situated the way he wanted it.

When he was finished, he let her out and showed her where the litter box was. She hopped in and back out and then pranced out of the bedroom to check out the rest of the house.

“She already acts like she owns the place,” I said with a laugh.

“Yeah, that’s cats for you. They’re pretty much always convinced they’re the most important being in the room. I need to find a place for her food and water, though.”

“You can put that in the mud room. I know the perfect spot. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

We walked down the hallway and out into what was now a large open floor plan that took up most of the house. He stopped right in the middle and turned in a circle. “I can’t believe this used to be a bunch of smaller rooms.”

“I got pretty bored after Steven moved out and got the home improvement bug. I wanted to add some built-in shelves, but first, I needed to paint. And then I got the idea that I never used the dining room and the great room would be so much larger, which would mean more room for shelves, and it just kind went on from there.”

“So you did all this yourself?”

“All of it but the electrical and the countertop in the kitchen.” I shrugged like it was no big deal, but the truth was, it had been the only thing that kept me going. Up until then, all my spare time was spent with Steven going to his games, taking him fishing, and trying to be the best father I could be after the divorce. And then suddenly, he was gone off to college. Which is what he was supposed to do. And I was so proud of him, but I had no idea what to do with myself.

“Well, it looks pretty awesome.” He walked over and ran his hand over the granite countertop. “Do you cook much?”

“Not really. I think Danni’s used this kitchen more than I have.” From the moment Danni and I decided to get divorced, we’d worked hard to maintain a good relationship. We’d never wanted Steven to have to choose where to spend the holidays, so we normally did them together as a family.

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