“This is where you grew up?” Marcus asked as they pulled into the driveway.
“Yep,” Roan said. “Our mother was Walter Hayes’s sister. This was one of the original farmhouses on the property. My Uncle Walter remodeled it for a rental a few years back. But once their lease was up, Uncle Walter said it was all mine.”
“That’s pretty lucky,” Cody said.
“I know,” Roan said. “Being part of the Hayes clan is a blessing.”
“A family farm is so cool,” Marcus said softly, his voice full of wonder.
Cody didn’t say anything, but Roan saw him taking it all in—the porch, the big oak tree in the yard, the Christmas lights making everything glow. Roan said a silent thank you to Jason for insisting they get the lights up.
Inside, the tree in the corner sparkled with ornaments. Their mother’s snow globe collection was displayed on the mantel, with the stockings hung below.
“Whoa,” Marcus breathed, stopping just inside the door. “It’s like a Christmas movie house.”
“My aunt saved all my mom’s Christmas decorations,” Roan said. “We just put them all up.”
“Was it hard to see all the old ornaments?” Cody asked. “Like all the memories and stuff?”
“It was, actually,” Roan said. “But nice at the same time. We have a lot of wonderful memories of our time with our mom.”
“Yeah, me too.” Cody looked up at him, a moment of vulnerability flickering across his face before he looked away.
“Come on upstairs. I’ll show you your room,” Roan said.
As they made their way to the second floor, Roan explained that the bedroom they would be staying in used to be the one he and his brother shared as kids. “Bunk beds and everything.”
“Which do you want?” Marcus asked Cody. “Top or bottom?”
“You choose,” Cody said.
“I’ll take the bottom,” Marcus said. “I’ve never been in one of these. I’m kind of afraid I’ll fall off the top.”
“Works for me,” Cody said.
“I always took the top too,” Roan said, leaning against the doorframe. “Jason’s a restless sleeper, so it was better for me to be above him. The beds are made up already, so you should be all set.”
The boys both mumbled thanks.
“Okay, you guys want to take showers?” Roan asked. “There are clean towels in the bathroom across the hall.”
“Yeah, that’d be good,” Marcus said.
“One of you can shower in that bathroom. One of you can use the one in my room,” Roan said. “I’ll find you something to sleep in and some spare toothbrushes.”
Marcus offered to take the smaller bathroom, so Roan took Cody across the hall to his room, showing him the bathroom and leaving to give him privacy. He grabbed several pairs ofsweatpants and T-shirts from his closet. They’d be too big on Marcus but they would have to do for now. He left a set for Cody on the chair outside of the bathroom and took the other over to the boys’ room, leaving them on the bed.
Downstairs, Roan pulled a frozen lasagna from the freezer and slid it into the oven. Although the boys had scarfed down a few pieces of pizza each, Roan had the feeling they were still hungry. He stood in his kitchen, looking around at the quiet house that was suddenly filled with life. Two teenagers upstairs, showering in his bathrooms, about to sleep in his guest room.
Was he in over his head? Probably. But he wasn’t about to let Marcus sleep outside tonight. Tomorrow he’d take them shopping. Get them some clothes. New jackets. Hats and gloves for sure.
Marcus appeared downstairs first. He’d rolled up the legs of the sweats and the T-shirt was like a dress on his small frame, but he didn’t seem to mind.
“You want some milk?” Roan asked.
“Water’s fine,” Marcus said.
“Lasagna should be ready soon. Should we watch a movie?”
