Page 10 of Ethan's Command

Liam immediately went down on his knees and petted the dog. Mojo stood still and let the boy ruffle his fur.

Brooklyn reached out and touched Liam’s shoulder. “Why don’t you go finish up your homework and then you can help Mr. Foster put up the cameras.” She glanced at Ethan. “If that is okay. Liam is into electronics.”

Liam looked up at him with bright eyes. “Can I?”

“I never turn down help,” Ethan agreed.

Liam turned on his heel and disappeared back down the hallway.

“Thank you for that,” Brooklyn said.

“Not a problem. If he helps me put the cameras in place, it will help him feel better about the whole incident. He’ll feel more in control.

Brooklyn looked surprised that Ethan understood why she wanted Liam to help but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she just raised an eyebrow as if to ask if there was a reason he was still standing there.

“Do you want cameras on the inside of the house?”

“Ah…I…didn’t think about that. Do I need cameras on the inside?”

“If it’s alright with you, I’ll take a look around first and then answer that question. Okay?”

Brooklyn considered it for a moment and then said, “I guess so.”

Ethan toed off his boots. “You lead the way.” He signaled to Mojo to lie down and stay.

Brooklyn took him to the kitchen first. It wasn’t big, but it didn’t need to be. White cabinets lined the walls, and the countertops were a pale gray stone that seemed practical for wear and tear. The backsplash caught his eye—a mosaic of blues and greens that shimmered like the ocean under sunlight. Open shelves displayed plates, bowls, and a few mismatched mugs. A small breakfast bar with two stools was tucked against one side, the wood lightly scuffed from daily use. On the counter sat a bowl of fruit—pineapples, mangos, and something he couldn’t identify. It felt... domestic.

“Does that door lead to the garage?” he asked. He wanted to comment on how she’d turned this little house into a home in a much better way than he had managed since he’d moved to the island. He was a bit jealous. His two sisters were good at that type of thing too, but that skill had missed him completely.

“Yes, it does. I usually don’t bother to park in there, but under the circumstances, it seemed…prudent.”

“Wise move,” he commented as he crossed the kitchen and opened the door. It was a standard garage. Neat and tidy, like the rest of the home with lawn chairs and tools hanging on hooks on the walls and her small SUV in the garage. He noted a large ladder resting against the front wall, then closed the door. “Let’s see the rest of the house.”

She moved over to the dining area. A round wooden table with four chairs sat under a simple pendant light. A small vase of flowers—some kind of bloom that smelled good—added a touch of color. The table looked like it had seen a lot of use. Scratches in the wood and faded rings from coffee cups spoke of everyday life.

A set of patio doors led to the backyard. Ethan opened them and stepped out to the back deck. The yard itself was quite large. It appeared neat and well cared for, with a few bushes and palm trees. He was pleased to see it was fenced.

He turned to Brooklyn. “I’m going to put a couple of cameras here and here.” He pointed to the corner of the house and a tree on the right. “Those will cover the whole yard. I’m also going to put one in that back corner that will keep an eye on the yards around you. None of those are fenced so it makes for an easier approach for anyone not wanting to be seen.”

Brooklyn rubbed her forehead. “I’m not sure my neighbors will like that.”

“They won’t even notice. I have a camera that looks like a birdhouse.”

She grinned. “That’s sneaky.”

She looked amazing when she smiled. It was the kind of smile that hit him in the solar plexus and knocked the wind out of him. Ethan grinned back. “Yeah, but it works beautifully.”

Heading back inside, they did a quick tour of the rest of the house. Three bedrooms, one which she obviously used as an office, and a bathroom. They returned to the front door.

As he stepped back into the main living area, Ethan’s eyes caught on the details again. This house was practical, but it wasn’t cold. It felt cared for. It fit Brooklyn perfectly—no-nonsense, but with a softness she probably didn’t even realize she had.

“There are a couple of spots I can install cameras on the inside if you want but if you’re not comfortable with it, then I think we can manage with just the outside.”

She exhaled audibly. “That’s good. The idea of putting cameras inside my home is just…”

“Invasive,” he supplied.

“Yes. That’s a good word for it.”

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