His eyes flashed open. “Arthur’s here?” He didn’t wait for her answer, leapt out of bed and ran into the living room.
Well, she knew her place. She pushed the slight jealousy away. She was his mum, his everyday constant. She couldn’t compete with the excitement of an ex-soldier in the house.
And to be fair, she’d wanted to run out to greet Arthur when she’d woken this morning, too.
She made his bed and by the time she returned to the living area, Jordan was sitting at the table, eating porridge, chatting to Arthur, completely at ease.
“I’m off to work.” She kissed Jordan, lifted her backpack, and smiled at Arthur, even though she wanted to kiss him as well. “I’ll see you this afternoon.”
“I’ll walk you out.” Arthur stood and joined her at the door.
Jordan was busy eating, not paying them any attention. She kissed Arthur. “Have a good day.”
He smiled. “I will now. You too.”
She waved, smiling, her heart full of hope as she headed to work.
***
Arthur locked the front door after Gretchen drove away and turned to find Jordan staring at him, confusion on his face. “Something wrong?”
“Mum kissed you.”
Oh. Damn. “Yeah, she did.”
“Are you like, really her boyfriend now? Not pretend?”
Arthur sat at the table. “I’d like to be. I think your mum is pretty special.”
“Is that why you’re being so nice to me?”
He leaned back, shocked. “No, of course not. I like you too. You made me feel better about losing my leg.”
Jordan frowned. “Huh?”
“When I moved up here, I was feeling pretty bad about my leg.” He tapped the prosthesis. “I thought I was worthless. But you and Cody saw me as a person, not an injured soldier, and that made me feel much better. It gave me the confidence I’d lost.”
The boy was silent for a moment as he processed the information. “I helped you?”
“A lot,” Arthur confirmed. “I like you as much as I like your mum.”
“Are you going to stay here forever now?” Jordan asked. “Like Faith moved in with Lara’s dad.”
The image of staying here forever warmed him, but it was far too early for that. “I don’t know. It depends on how your mum feels, and how you feel.”
“Me?”
“Yeah. Your mum loves you so much, so if you don’t want me around, I won’t be around.”
“I like you. I like you’re teaching me stuff, and that I don’t have to go to school early.”
Arthur smiled. “I like that too.”
“I don’t mind if you’re Mum’s boyfriend. You’re cool.”
Arthur nodded solemnly, though inside he cheered. “I appreciate it.” He checked the time. “You’d better finish your breakfast and brush your teeth.” There wasn’t time to make lunch. “I’ll give you some money for the canteen.”
Jordan’s face lit up. “Really? Thanks!” He rushed his bowl to the sink and then ran to the bathroom. Arthur cleaned the kitchen and Jordan returned carrying both his school backpack and Arthur’s bag. As he handed Arthur’s bag to him, a pile of notes fell out.
