Isabella turned to her and explained calmly, “Pancakes are weekend food. Tomorrow’s Saturday. Saturday is the weekend. I’ll make you pancakes tomorrow, with blueberries in and everything. But today you get eggs.”
“Okay,” Sally agreed happily.
Prentice burst out laughing.
So focused on Sally, Isabella’s body jerked and her gaze snapped to him. Her mind blanked as she caught sight of his handsome, laughing face.
His handsome, carefree, laughing face.
No tightness around his mouth, no pain in his eyes, his face was relaxed and he was at-ease in his kitchen with her and his children.
This so astonished Isabella, she didn’t react when he snatched her in his arms, gave her a hug and a swift kiss on her neck even though he was still chuckling.
He released her and she stood swaying as he went to the cupboard, pulled down a mug, poured in some coffee, splashed in her milk and brought it to her.
Automatically, her finger hooked the handle as he murmured, “I’d like mine scrambled.” She blinked up at him but he just grinned and turned to the fridge to get Sally some milk. He poured the milk in a glass while walking to Sally but he was speaking to his son, “Jace, get your rucksack ready, mate. We’re running late. We’ll need to leave right after eggs.”
The words “late” and “eggs” made Isabella jolt out of her motionless, befuddled stance, preparing to sort breakfast.
Her body stilled again when she saw Jason, his eyes darting back and forth between Isabella and Prentice like he was viewing a fascinating tennis match. His gaze stuck on Isabella and she watched as he slowly smiled his father’s smile.
Carefree, at-ease, relaxed.
Joy shot through her as fear pierced her soul.
She jolted yet again when she felt Prentice’s hand slide along the small of her back, stopping to give her waist a squeeze.
“Elle, baby, eggs,” he prompted softly, let her go and said to Jason, “I’ll finish the toast, Jace. Rucksack. Go.”
Jason nodded to his father and raced upstairs.
Isabella made eggs.
Prentice made toast and, shockingly, didn’t ruin it.
They ate while Isabella’s thoughts descended into turmoil, happy, sad, elated, sated, content, but most prevalent of all, terrified.
After they finished breakfast, she trailed after Prentice as Jason ran ahead to the door.
She caught his wrist, starting, “Pren –”
He abruptly turned, twisted his wrist and grasped her hand, pulling her to him. Her body hit his at about the same time his lips hit hers.
The terror fled and all good things Prentice were the only things on her mind.
His head lifted and he murmured, “I should make today’s deadline and be home in time for tea. Pick Jace up, will you?”
Without waiting for her to answer, he turned and walked out the door.
Long after it closed, Isabella stared at it.
Then she felt Sally’s little hand slide into hers.
She looked down at the girl.
“We forgot to give Blackie breakfast,” Sally told her, her face full of worry that a half an hour delay in Blackie getting breakfast would cause her new kitten to expire.
Alleviating Sally’s worry obviously took precedence over the fear closing around Isabella’s heart.