“Only with reading at first but they’re good students.” She smiles. “They attend a very good school.”
I hear footsteps in the hallway and push away from the counter. “That’s good to know.” I head for the dining room.
“There you are, sweetheart.” Jack pulls me close and kisses me. “Got tired of me already?”
I gaze into his bottomless blue pools and sigh. “Never. I couldn’t sleep so I took a shower and came downstairs. I wanted to ask Jenny about the kids’ routine.”
“They’re set in their ways.” Jack shrugs. “They’ll accept you easier if you slide into their lives unnoticed. Don’t make sudden changes. They’re settled with Jenny; she’s been a surrogate mother for them since Laura died and, in fact, she was the one that changed their diapers. Laura liked them when they were fresh and clean.” He frowns. “Don’t judge her, she loved them but that’s the way her mother raised her.”
I look at the table, set for two, and smile to myself. Moments later Amy glides into the room carrying a covered platter and places it on the sideboard. “That will be the crispy bacon.”
Over breakfast, I turn to Jack. “I’m going to spend tomorrow checking out which rooms I need to redecorate. Do you have a floorplan I can use? It’s something I’ll need if I plan to suggest changes.”
“I’ll send you the password to my computer and the office files.” Jack looks at me over the rim of his cup. “If you type ‘Beauford Manor’ into the search engine, the blueprints of the building will come up. Print what copies you need. There’s been many changes over the years. Laura insisted the house has secret passageways where she used to play when visiting here as a child. The house was in her family for a time. I’ve scanned the blueprints and can’t find anything. I do know part of the house was changed, as in interior walls moved to increase the size of some of the rooms. There are windows on the outside that don’t show on any plan I’ve seen. They don’t exist on the inside. It’s a mystery.”
Intrigued, I open my mouth to reply when footsteps come clattering down the hallway with the unmistakable sound of children’s voices. Two dark-haired children run into the room, and a young girl is waving a toy. A smaller boy of the same coloring follows close behind.
“Dad! We had the best time yesterday.” Ava threw herself into Jack’s arms. “Grandma took us to a place called Save the Bay.”
“The aquarium?” Jack pulls her onto his lap. “Yes, I’ve been there. It’s great fun, isn’t it?”
“We got to touch the fish and some yucky things.” Noah waved a blue shark under Jack’s nose. “Grandpa got this for me at the store. I saw a big lobster with huge claws. The lady said we couldn’t touch it because it might hurt us.”
“I got to touch a starfish.” Ava held up a finger. “It was all bumpy and weird. It made my finger stink. Here, smell it.” She stuck it under Jack’s nose.
“Ava, that’s not nice. Haven’t you washed your hands since yesterday?” Jack frowned at her. “What else did you do?”
“I did wash my hands but I can still smell it.” Ava’s gaze left Jack and she looks at me. “Is that Willow?”
“It is.” Jack moves around in his chair to look at me. He gently places Ava on the floor. “Willow, this is my daughter Ava and my son Noah.”
“She’s not ugly at all.” Ava looks at me; she is a replica of her mother, right down to the almost black-blue eyes and tumbling ebony curls. She gives Jack a strange look and frowns. “Stepmothers are supposed to be ugly. Grandma read me a story, but Willow is pretty and has hair like an angel.”
I grin like a monkey and a giggle escapes my lips. “Thank you. I think you’re pretty too. It’s nice to meet you, Ava, and you too, Noah.”
“Are you staying here now?” Noah looks at me with his father’s deep blue eyes. “All the time. Like a real mom?”
I nod and notice just how like Jack this little boy is, right down to his concerned expression. “I am, yes. Is that okay?”
“Yes, I guess so. I can’t wait to tell my friends about the—” he looks at Jack “—aqu-er-ium? Can we go again some time?”
“Please, Dad.” Ava jumps up and down. “It was awesome.”
“Yes, we will, soon.” Jack looks up and waves at the door.
“Come on now, you two.” Jenny comes into the room. “Help me carry your things upstairs.”
As the kids scamper off, an older couple walk into the room. I look at Jack and he smiles at me. My stomach does a backflip. This must be his parents.
“Mom, Dad.” Jack stands and hugs his mother. “Thanks for taking the kids. It sounds like they had a great weekend.” Heturns to look at me and holds out a hand. “I bet you’re dying to meet Willow.”
I stand and walk to Jack’s side feeling like I’m an animal at a show and these are the judges. His mother flares her nostrils and her eyes flash with instant dislike. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Hunter.” I offer my hand but she doesn’t take it.
“Welcome to the family.” Mr. Hunter takes my hand in both of his and looks into my eyes. “I hope you’ll be happy living in Beauford Manor; if not, I’m sure Jack will build you the home of your dreams.” He glances at his wife’s stony expression and smiles. “Jack tells me you’re an actor.” He leads me to the table. “Tell me all about yourself over coffee.”
I sit down and the temperature in the room drops to zero. The woman is staring at Jack in disbelief. I smile sweetly at her husband. “Yes, and interior design. I’ve created quite a few sets in my time too.”
“You are a breath of fresh air to this family.” Mr. Hunter beams at me. “Isn’t she?” He glances at his wife who’s standing like a frozen statue.
