the best.”
But I wanted to know even more. That was a lie. I wanted to know everything. Yet it felt as if I were walking through a minefield. One wrong step and I’d blow us both sky-high. We’d never recover.
I pushed up in bed, swinging my legs over the side. “I’d like to hear more about that.”
A battle waged beneath the surface of her skin as if there were two halves of her—one who wanted nothing more than to unburden herself, and the other holding tight to every secret she’d ever locked away. “Okay.”
It wasn’t the thing she guarded so fiercely, but it wasn’t a denial either. “That request has no expiration date.”
“Thank you.”
I could’ve given her an out. Told her that there was no pressure. But that would’ve been a lie. I wanted her secrets because it felt wrong to have pieces of her hidden from me, especially if it caused her pain. I knew every inch of her body, but that wasn’t enough. I wanted every inch of her soul, too. The thought had me rearing back. What the hell was going on with me? Kenna wanted the white picket fence and a stable, predictable man in her life. I was not that. But maybe underneath it all, Kenna didn’t need that. I’d just have to find a way to get her to accept it. That might be as difficult as getting her to open that vault she’d locked up so tightly.
“Kenna!”
Zoe flew at Kenna with a speed I worried would knock her over, but I should’ve known not to underestimate my girl’s strength. Kenna swung the little girl up in her arms with an ease that was beautiful to watch. “Missed you, sweet girl.”
Zoe ducked her head. “Missed you, too. I’m glad Crosby brought you.”
Kenna laughed, setting Zoe down. “Brought me? I hounded him to bring me over last night, but he made me wait till this morning.”
“You did?”
“Ask him. I was super annoying.”
Zoe grinned at me. “Was she annoying?”
“The absolute worst.”
Zoe giggled, and Kenna gave one of her braids a tug. “How are you holding up?”
Zoe rolled her lips together before answering. “I like it a lot better here.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are a lot nicer, and I have a whole room to myself. I don’t have to share with anyone. And Daniel isn’t mean, he even let me play Xbox with him.”
“Daniel is Mr. and Mrs. Wilson’s son,” I explained to Kenna.
“I’m so happy to hear that.” Kenna wrapped Zoe in another quick hug.
“Sorry about that,” Ingrid Wilson bustled back into the living room. “Five or fourteen, there’s always something that boy has misplaced. This time, it was his math homework. Think the teacher will believe that Loki ate it?”
A huge smile spread across Zoe’s face. “Loki is Daniel’s ferret. We got to play with him last night, and he’s really cool.” She looked up at Ingrid. “But I don’t think he’d eat a bunch of paper.”
Ingrid chuckled. “I thought it might be worth a try.” She turned her attention back to Kenna and me. “Please, come on into the kitchen. I’m not the best cook, my husband is more the chef around these parts, but I have mastered the art of toaster waffles and cutting up fruit.”
Kenna studied Ingrid carefully. If the middle-aged woman could tell she was under the microscope, she didn’t seem too bothered by it. But then again, she and her husband had put up with the third degree from me the day before.
We settled at the large, worn kitchen table that had enough chairs to seat eight. The scratches on the surface spoke of many meals held in this spot, and no one too overly concerned about a ding here or there. Ingrid placed a large platter of waffles, a bowl of mixed berries, and some whipped cream on the table.
I began pouring Zoe a glass of orange juice. “This looks amazing.”
Zoe nodded, a look of wonder on her face that had me cursing the girl’s mother and her earlier foster parents.
Kenna cleared her throat. “Thank you for letting us come over before school. I know it was last-minute.”
Ingrid gave Kenna a gentle smile. “I completely understand. I’m glad Zoe’s got two such caring champions in her corner. As I told Crosby, you’re welcome to come by anytime. And I’ll give you my cell number. You can text me if you want to check in.”
The set of Kenna’s shoulders eased a fraction,