Page 107 of Embers in Our Souls
“Good. I’m tired though. I just want to change out of these clothes and curl up on the couch.”
“Sounds like a nice plan. Let’s grab Noah and I can make something for dinner.” I smack her ass.
“I like that. Are you dessert?” She winks.
The next week, I’ve got a whole spread of breakfast out for Noah. Indiana had to head into work early, so I offered to take him to school.
I know how picky kindergartners can be and Indiana has told me he always changes his preferences up, so I wanted to be prepared this morning. Looking around, I’m realizing I may have overdone it. It’s too late now, as I hear his hurried footsteps moving along the stairs.
“Hey, Hunter. Wow! That’s a lot of food.” Noah’s eyes look over at all the food I’ve laid out on the counter. Yeah, I’ve definitely overdone it. He’s only six and I made enough food to feed the crew at the firehouse.
“Good morning, bud. You hungry?” I walk over to the kitchen table and pour some orange juice. “What do you want to eat? I made a few options.”
Grabbing a plate, he walks around the kitchen island, assessing all his choices. “French toast, please.” He points at the piece he wants, and I place it on his plate.
Once he’s seated, I load some scrambled eggs on my own plate and sit opposite him. We sit silently for a few minutes, until Noah looks up at me.
“Hunter, are you living here now?” I’m mid-bite and I’m grateful I wasn’t in the middle of swallowing my food. I would have needed the Heimlich after that question.
I chew my food for a long while, then finally answer, “No. Why do you think that?”
“Well, you’re here a lot. And we hang out with you all the time. I like having you around. Darth likes you, too. So, I just thought you lived with us. And you cooked me breakfast today and you’re taking me to school. Sometimes you sleepover.” He keeps eating his breakfast like his question didn’t throw me off course. Of course, Indy isn’t here to help me maneuver this.
“How would you feel if Ididlive here?” I hope Indy doesn’t hate me for having this conversation with him, although he was the one to bring it up.
“I think it would be awesome. We could watchStar Warsand you’re a way better cook than my mom.” He sets his fork down and leans in as if he’s going to tell me a secret. Damn, this kid is too much.
“Don’t tell my mom this, but she burns one side of my toast sometimes. I don’t like telling her because I think it would hurt her feelings.” Fuck, my heart may have just exploded.
“Your secret is safe with me.” I wink at him.
He goes on eating his breakfast with a little smile on his face until every last bite is consumed.
“I take it you liked it?” I ask him once he’s cleared his plate from the table.
“Yes.” He smiles up at me. “Thanks, Hunter.”
“No problem, Noah. Why don’t you go grab your backpack and we’ll head out. I have your lunch right here.” I hold up his lunch bag in my hand.
“Alright.” He runs off, but pokes his head back in the kitchen as I’m loading a few dishes in the dishwasher.
“Hunter?” he says.
“Yeah, buddy?”
“I do think it would be fun to have you living here. You make my mom happy. And you make me happy too.”
Before I can even answer, he runs off to get his things and I swear, I stand completely stunned in place. Forget my heart exploding. It may have simply walked off into the other room because a little boy just took hold of it.
CHAPTER 51
Fire Hunters
Tyler
THREE MONTHS LATER
Dear Indy,
