“Hope you didn’t get in trouble with him the last time, then,” Ken joked.
“Nah. But for a full grocery trip like this I definitely would. While you’re here, if there’s ever anything you’re looking for special, call or text me. I don’t have it, I’ll make sure it’s brought in from Spokane to save you a trip.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
Webster helped Ken carry the purchases out to the SUV. A few minutes later, Ken was safely driving back to Peyton’s.
Still, he frequently glanced behind him in the rearview mirror.
He took his time even though the ride wasn’t long because he wanted to savor this. Despite his prior hairy experience, Ken loved Idaho. Before meeting Dewi, he’d traveled very little and hadn’t seen much of the country. Being born and raised in Florida, he still felt a childlike fascination for the mountains and thick forests occupied by his new family.
It was also still an adjustment that people knew who he was and welcomed him with genuine warmth and affection. A far cry from his previously anonymous and mostly solitary existence.
After Ken put the groceries away, he texted Dewi, who invited him over to Trent and Asia’s. Gillian, Dewi, and Tamsin were all there with their babies, while Asia reclined on the sofa, baby Malina asleep on her chest.
“Where’s everyone else?” Ken asked.
“Beck and Nami are with his family, and Malyah and Joaquin are visiting his,” Dewi said. “And the kids are in school. Trent’s working at the office in town. Malyah said to text her if she’s not around when you’re ready to start meal prep.”
“Peyton’s still locked in his home office on phone calls,” Gillian grumbled. “With Trevor and others.”
Ken’s pulse spiked. “Did they find Faegan?”
“No,” Dewi said, frowning. “And Peyton ordered me to take the day off, the rat bast—eh, rat fink.” She looked down into sleeping baby Lyssa’s face. “I’m really going to have to remember to watch my mouth,” she said.
“Honey, is there any reason you can’t take the day off?” Ken asked her.
She screwed up her face to likely spit out a snarky reply before obviously biting it back. “No,” she softly grumbled.
Asia snorted. “Good grief, lady. You’re more of a workaholic than your brothers and Gillian. I mean, I knew you were, but for crying out loud, enjoy this time off. Okay?”
“Yeah,” Gillian said. “It’s not a lie when they say you don’t get much of this time with your baby. And if I can take a little time off, so can you.”
“And what if someone needs me?” Dewi asked. “What if something happens? Me and Beck, Joaquin, Da, and Badger are all out here, not there.”
“Do you trust your people?” Gillian asked. “Are they good?”
“Well, yeah, of course I do. You know that. I wouldn’t have hired them if I didn’t or they weren’t.”
Gillian serenely smiled and held out her hand to illustrate her point. “There you go, then. Trust them to do their jobs.”
“This sucks,” Dewi said. “I feel like I’m slacking if I’m not working, and I feel like a horrible mother if I’m not doing this right here.”
“That’s called a ‘trauma response’,” Tamsin said. Everyone looked at her. “And,” she continued, “speaking as someone who is now unfortunately intimately familiar with trauma, perhaps it’s time for you to look into addressing yours. No offense,” she added, her cheeks turning pink. “But life is rather short, even for us. I’m certain your parents would want you to strike a healthy balance. Especially now.”
Dewi blew out an aggravated breath. “No offense taken,” she said, poking herself in her temple. “Brain knows all that. But brain’s wiring hasn’t figured out how to transmit the message to my soul yet.”
Ken leaned over and gently hugged her so he wouldn’t disturb the baby, then kissed her on the top of the head. “If you don’t need me, I’m going to start making lunch for everyone.”
“Ken, we already love you,” Gillian teased. “You don’t need to spend your entire visit in my kitchen.”
“I don’t mind,” he said. “I feel useful like this. And I enjoy cooking, so it’s a win-win.”
“Well, my kids want to abduct you,” Asia joked. “I haven’t seen them willingly devour veggies like they did last night in…ever. They’re raving about Uncle Ken’s cooking.”
Ken caught himself before he stupidly asked who Uncle Ken was.
Oh. That’s…me.
