Jim had refinished the wood floor. There wasn’t much in it, so each step echoed. The grand staircase helped divide the house in half. At the bottom of the stairs, the door on the left led to Jim’s place and the door on right stood open.
Winifred led them into her cozy apartment. The living room was decorated in the same familiar rose and cream colors. Knickknacks adorned the bookcase, and pictures of nature scenes hung on the walls.
She waved for Michelle and the boys to follow her into the yellow kitchen. Jim inhaled deeply, as if trying to use his nose to vacuum in the cookies Winifred was baking.
The boys sniffed the air too, eagerly looking around.
Nana laughed at their expressions and handed Aden forks.
“If you help set the table, I’ll give you the big cookie I made for Jim,” Nana said to Aden. Then, she handed Liam the plates with a promise that he’d receive the other big cookie she’d made for Jim.
Winifred, I—
Emmitt, I know what I’m doing. Giving them tasks will help them feel like they belong.
Liam and Aden looked to Michelle for approval before doing as Winifred asked.
Jim elbowed me then moved to sit at the table. I followed, knowing he was up to something that would probably get us both into trouble.
Aden and Liam eyed us as they quietly set plates before each chair. Jim openly studied the pair in return. He didn’t have a serious bone in his body so the boys didn’t seem to mind him. But, they still tensed around me.
When Aden set a fork next to my plate, Jim reached over and moved it so it was at an angle. He did the same with the spoon so my plate looked like it had a set of ears. I turned Jim’s plate upside down.
Jim put Michelle’s silverware outward so they were like arms.
Liam tentatively reached out to straighten the fork.
“Can I help with anything?” Michelle said, turning back toward Nana.
Winifred shook her head. “You just sit.”
I immediately scooted the chair next to me out from the table. Michelle glanced at the open seat, clearly uncomfortable. Her blue eyes darted to me. I smiled, trying to reassure her.
Her scent changed ever so slightly as it had back in the hotel room. Then, she blushed.
I tried to stay calm. I tried to play it cool. But, now I knew. When she smelled like pancakes with syrup, she was noticing me. Thinking of me. As a Mate.
I didn’t realize I was staring at her until Jim kicked my chair. Clearing my throat, I looked away.
Winifred removed a pan loaded with baked chicken pieces from the oven, along with a side of rice and buttered corn. Michelle gave the large portions a double take.
“If you’re lucky, they’ll leave some for you,” Winifred said with a laugh.
“Maybe not,” Jim said, giving Aden a wink when he saw he had the boy’s attention.
“Liam, Aden, you had better pass your plates down. I’ll fill them before Jim fills his,” I said.
“More,” Jim said, under his breath, when I would have stopped serving up Aden’s plate.
I added extra, already knowing what he would do.
As soon as the boys had their food, Jim reached over and stole a chicken wing from Aden. Jim had been stealing foods off plates since he was old enough to reach them. Stealth was the key. And, he had it. One minute Aden was forking in a bite of corn, the next he was staring at his plate in puzzlement.
He glanced at Jim, who was happily munching on a chicken wing. A second later, the boy nudged his plate further from Jim.
I wanted to laugh. The meal was perfect, just like the company.
When we finished everything on the table, we worked together to clean up. Winifred insisted on washing so Michelle and the boys could get settled in. Jim offered to give a tour of my apartment.
“You don’t want to give the tour?” Michelle asked, looking at me.
“I haven’t seen it yet. The last time I was here, it wasn’t finished.”
Jim led the way out to the main hall.
“All the way at the top,” he said to the boys. “Penthouse suite.”
The boys jogged up the stairs, never going too far ahead of their sister. At the top, the pair turned and watched us, their guilty expressions not making sense. My new family was complicated.
Jim opened the apartment door with a flourish. Michelle tried to step back to let me in first, but I shook my