Page 24 of When Love Comes Home

I glance over at her. Is that a hint of a smile?

“Aaron is my foster brother. He and his parents were my last foster family here in town. He’s a few years older than me, so he was already in college when I met him. He’s the friend I mentioned earlier—the one renting my condo with his wife. He oversees a lot of the work I can’t be there for. We make a good team.”

“Can I ask you something?” Katie’s tone is solemn.

I glance over at her and nod. “Of course.”

“Is there something going on between you and Meredith?”

A laugh bursts out of me, louder than I intended. “Meredith Sanders?” I repeat, trying—and failing—to stifle another chuckle.

“Don’t laugh,” she scolds, narrowing her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” I say, still amused. “Meredith was my lab partner in tenth grade. She refused to dissect a frog, so I told her I’d do it—for a price. She let me do all the work and then said she owed me one. That was the extent of our relationship.” I pause before adding, “When I decided to buy a condo in Cold Spring, I googled realtors in the area, and her name popped up. So, I figured I’d finally cash in on that seventeen-year-old debt.”

Katie shoots me a skeptical glance.

I hold up a hand. “Scout’s honor.”

***

We arrive at her parents’ home, and I circle around to the passenger side, opening the door for her. As she steps out, I reach into the trunk and pull out some bouquets of flowers.

"Are any of those for me?" she asks, her eyes twinkling.

"Of course," I say handing her one of the bouquets. I grab the other three as she smiles and slips her arm through mine.

Sharon opens the door, and as always, I’m struck by her beauty and youthful appearance. It’s easy to see what Katie will look like in twenty years. She greets us with warm hugs and a kiss on the cheek.

“Did you two drive here together?” she asks, her eyes twinkling.

“Yeees, Mom,” Katie replies, her tone playful. She slips her arm from mine and hands Sharon one of the bouquets she's holding. “These are from Adam,” she adds, linking arms with her mother and gently steering her toward the hallway.

Sharon’s face lights up. “Thank you, Adam. They’re beautiful!”

I’ve been bringing her flowers for at least fifteen years, yet her reaction is always the same—pure delight, as if it’s the very first time. I smile as I watch them disappear into the kitchen.

Loud chatter and laughter point me in the direction I should go. Entering the living room, I see Loren, Justin, and Jon sitting on the edge of their seats, while Laila is standing holding a small card and yelling out words. It’s complete chaos, and I automatically know they’re playing Taboo. I love this game.

Laila sees me first, “Adam!” She walks over to me and gives me a big bear hug. I hand her white roses, which earns me a kiss.

The men walk over and give me a handshake and a hug.

Loren approaches me last and reaches for the roses. “These must be for me,” She says as she takes the flowers and stands on her tiptoes to give me a kiss on the cheek.

These people are my family. This is what I’ve been coming back to year after year after year. From the aroma of pot roast, fresh baked cookies and hot coffee to the laughter and cheerful voices that resound throughout the house, this is what makes me happy. The Linders.

I settle in next to Justin, quickly getting into the rhythm of the game. The room is filled with laughter, playful banter, and the occasional frustrated groan when someone blurts out a forbidden word.

A few minutes later, Jon glances at me. “Did you come with Katherine?” I catch the knowing look in his eyes and smile, nodding. He smiles too, as if filing that piece of information away for later.

Chapter 12

Katherine

MomandIwalkinto the kitchen, and I can tell her protective motherly instinct is going into overdrive by the way she squeezes my hand.

“How are you doing?" she asks. "I was very clear with your father—I told him I didn't think Adam moving in with you was a good idea."

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