Page 62 of You're My Person - For Always

"No. Big John gave me a ride." Zora held out the basket. "I didn't get a chance to give you flowers last time, so I wanted to drop these off. I cut them this morning. If you put them in water, they should last a good while."

She looked toward Kingsley. "Do you have a vase?"

"I doubt it." He walked into the kitchen and opened the cabinets.

Zora leaned to the side. "Check above the fridge."

Kingsley looked back at his mom and then followed her instructions. Several large vases were stored in the cabinet above the fridge. Kenna glanced at River, not wanting to say anything but needing to know if she was the only one who found it strange that their mother lived in a cabin instead of in the house.

It was a huge house with plenty of room for everyone.

Her sister raised her brows. She too thought it was strange that Zora knew where the vases were located. Maybe at one time, they belonged to her.

Kingsley filled up the vase with water and set it on the island. Zora put the basket on the counter and began to arrange the cut flowers.

"Once I'm done, I'll get out of your way." Zora smiled tenderly.

"There's no rush." She leaned forward and smelled a bloom. "These are beautiful. They smell wonderful."

Zora ducked her chin but couldn't hide the smile of pleasure. She was obviously proud of the way she could grow flowers.

"Okay, so Dad mentioned that we'd find a key in the package that goes to the bank." River leaned back in the chair.

"It wouldn't be to the bank." Zane stepped behind River. "It'll probably go to a safety deposit box."

"What's that?" Kenna turned around.

"You don't know what a safety deposit box is?" asked Kingsley.

She scoffed. "Don't make it sound like I'm an idiot. When in my life would I have found that out? I don't even have a bank account."

"Not making fun of you." Kingsley kissed her, softening his words. "Banks have safes in the back, in a little room, that customers can rent. They're given a key." Kingsley leaned against the kitchen island. "Those with the key can open the safe whenever they want."

"It takes two keys," said Zora.

Kenna grinned at Kingsley, knowing she wasn't the only one who didn't know exactly how bank safes worked.

"Are you sure it takes two keys? Kenna's dad only mentioned one key," said Kingsley.

"I'm positive." Zora delicately slid the stem of a flower into the vase. "The owner of the safety deposit box receives one key, but to open the box, it also takes the master key from the bank. Once both keys are in place, the box slides out of the vault. Theyallow you to go inside a little booth with a curtain behind you for privacy to go through the contents of the safe."

"How do you know that?" Zane stepped closer.

"Because I have a safety deposit box." Zora eyed the flowers, changing where two of the blossoms were set, and continued putting the rest of the stems in water. "There was a time when I needed somewhere safe to store some of my papers while I was away from Gem Haven."

Zane frowned. "But, we have a safe—"

"You're a lot like your father." Zora's warm smile took the sting out of the comparison. "But I wanted somewhere that only I could get into. I think it's important to have that security."

There was so much Zora wasn't saying that all Kenna could do was watch the conversation taking place around her. The Stafford men seemed lost—and that wasn't something she'd ever seen before. Normally, they knew when someone sneezed in Gem Haven.

Zora turned from the flowers and met Kenna's gaze. "Enjoy the flowers."

"We all will." She leaned against Kingsley. "Thank you."

Zora limped past her. Kingsley stiffened, and Kenna looked up at him, only to have his total focus on his mom.

"Zora?" said Kingsley.

---