He stole a glance at me as he grabbed another nail. “How many kids are coming?”
“Six.” I drove three nails in for every one of Eli’s. “All boys around your age.”
Katie and I had decided to hold a camp for kids who were like Eli—lost in the system. The family was all for it, so we reserved a couple of weeks to host them. If it went well, we’d make it an annual thing.
“They won’t get to ride my horse, will they?” His shoulders were stiff as he asked. He still sometimes wrestled with feeling like he belonged on the ranch. As if he thought we’d send him back any day.
“They will not. Your horse and Jonah’s are off-limits to them.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “Besides, I don’t thinkMajor would even let them on his back. That horse is in love with you.”
He made a face, but I could tell he was secretly pleased. He stuck his tongue out as he hammered the last nail in place. “Done.”
I stepped back and surveyed the structure. We’d built a bunkhouse for the kids, figuring it would be easier to have them in one place instead of spread out across the cabins. My brothers and I would take turns supervising them at night.
“We did good, Eli.” I nodded in approval. “Now, let’s head home and clean up. Katie has something special planned for tonight because we have a surprise for you.”
He took off for the cabin, and I ran behind him. I let him beat me, but I doubted it would be long before he won for real. The kid was fast.
“Hi, Katie!” Eli hugged her quickly before darting into the bathroom to wash up.
“Well, that was quick.” Katie chuckled as I stepped to her side.
“I told him we had a surprise for him.” I leaned down and kissed her upturned face.
“That would do it.” She grabbed the oven mitts and pulled a tray of brownies out of the oven. “I thought about making a cake but realized Eli would rather have these.”
“They are his favorite.” I breathed in the scent of warm chocolate and eyed the tray.
“Don’t even think of it.” She gave me the Mae stare that all the mates had perfected. “Is the bunkhouse finished?”
“Mason just has to set up security on it.” I leaned against the counter. “My father’s in jail now, but Vince is still out there. The sheriff couldn’t get anything useful out of my father. He never actually met Vince. He only spoke to him over a burner phone,when Vince explained how to get past our security. But Mason is sure he’s not done with us.”
She frowned. “I almost wish he’d just get it over with, so we can move on without the constant worry hanging over the ranch.”
I scrubbed my hand over my face. “Yeah. Mason is still running on fumes. He thinks it’s all on him to protect us and is still kicking himself over the breaches, even though he knows Vince can get around his system.”
“He needs to meet his mate. Maybe that would mellow him out.” She spread a thick layer of chocolate frosting over the brownies.
“Well, there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s all up to fate.”
Eli burst out of the bathroom. “I’m ready for the surprise.”
I grinned at him. “I still need to get clean.”
“Hurry up.” He tugged at my arm, trying to drag me toward the bathroom.
Laughter echoed through the cabin as I pretended to resist. He ran behind me and pushed at my back with all his might. I let my feet stumble forward and pretended to trip into the bathroom. “You got me. Don’t eat those brownies without me.”
After I cleaned up, I entered the main room of the cabin to find Eli already sitting at the table. Katie gave me a nervous smile and held her hand out to me. I took it, twining our fingers together as we joined Eli.
He looked at us expectantly. In the months he’d been here, he’d blossomed, proving what Katie knew all along. He’d just needed to find where he belonged.
I didn’t want to drag out the suspense any longer. It was too important. “Katie and I have something to ask you.”
“We want you to take all the time you need to decide.” She let out a wobbly breath. “It needs to be something you want. Ifnot, nothing needs to change. I want you to know that no matter what, you’ll always have a place here.”
His gaze bounced between us, shoulders still.
I squeezed Katie’s hand beneath the table. “Eli, Katie and I would like to adopt you.”
