“I know, I know.” Eli rolled his eyes in a way that reminded Luke startlingly of Jenna. “No running, stay back from tools, and always listen to Uncle Luke or Keaton.”
“That’s right.” Jenna set the drinks on a clear section of counter. “Although maybe we should add ‘no sassing your father’ to that list.”
The easy banter between them made Luke’s chest tight in the best way. He’d worried, in those quiet moments when doubt crept in, about how Jenna would react to his permanent place in their lives. But she’d been nothing but supportive, especially since his accident.
“Jenna grabbed your favorite,” Noah murmured, pressing a coffee into Luke’s hand and dropping a kiss on his temple. “And it looks like Megan sent extra chocolate croissants.”
“Angels.” Luke caught Noah’s hand, squeezing gently. “Both of them.”
Eli appeared at Luke’s side, carefully climbing onto the stool next to him. “Can I help you supervise? Mom says I’m good at telling people what to do.”
“Wonder where he gets that from,” Keaton muttered, but his smile was fond as he ruffled Eli’s hair. “All right, crew! Breakfast break, then we tackle those upper cabinets.”
The kitchen filled with words of gratitude as everyone grabbed coffee and pastries. Luke watched it all from his perch, taking in the controlled chaos of the renovation mixed with the warmth offamily. Drew had taken the weekend off from coaching to help, and even Ryan had shown up early with his tools ready.
When Luke had asked why he was flying solo again, Ryan had quickly changed the subject. The two of them had been inseparable for so long, Luke couldn’t help but worry there was trouble in paradise. There’d been a time when he’d have used their possible issues as another reason for him to avoid commitment, but no more. He found he rather liked being tied down to one person instead of heading to the bar every weekend.
“You okay?” Jenna settled on Eli’s other side, her voice pitched low. “You’ve got that look.”
“What look?”
“The one that says you’re overthinking something.” She bumped his good shoulder gently. “Spill.”
Luke glanced around—at Noah chatting with Ryan, at Eli showing Keaton his latest drawings, at the crew who had become more like family than employees. “Just grateful, I guess. For all of this. For everyone showing up to help.”
“That’s what family does.” Jenna’s smile was knowing. “And you’ve built quite a good one here.”
“Yeah.” Luke’s throat felt tight as he watched Noah laugh at something Ryan said. “I really have.”
“Uncle Luke!” Eli tugged at his sleeve. “Can I show Keaton my ideas for the backsplash? The ones we drew yesterday?”
“Of course you can, buddy. Your art folder’s in my bag by the door.”
They watched Eli dart off, his excitement infectious. Jenna’s quiet laugh drew Luke’s attention back to her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” But her smile was soft, understanding. “Just thinking about how worried I was when Noah told me you two were dating. It’s hard being so far away. I knew we’d both eventually move on, but the reality was a tough pill to swallow. I worried he’d either jump in headfirst or push you away.”
Luke’s stomach clenched. She hadn’t been far off. In some ways, it felt like they were moving at the speed of light, but Noah had indeed tried to push him away. He hadn’t counted on Luke being ready to fight. He’d hated that work had kept him from doing so before the accident. “And now?”
“Now?” Jenna gestured at the kitchen full of people who had shown up to help, at Eli proudly showing his drawings to Keaton, at Noah watching them all with quiet contentment. “Now I know you’re exactly what they needed. What we all needed, really. It’s easier for me to be out west knowing Noah isn’t trying to do everything on his own. And Eli adores you.”
Before Luke could respond, Keaton’s voice carried across the kitchen. “These are actually really good design ideas, kid. Did you know there’s a company you can send pictures to, and they’ll put them on tiles? Maybe you could do a couple of drawings just for that.”
“Really?” Eli’s whole face lit up. “Dad! Uncle Keaton says we can use my drawings!”
“Using a six-year-old as your designer now?” Drew teased, reaching for another croissant.
“Hey, talent is talent.” Keaton’s defense was immediate. “Besides, it’s his kitchen too.”
Luke would have to talk to Keaton about giving in to Eli. Yes, the drawings were cool, and really good for someone his age, but he wasn’t sure Noah would go for children’s art being part of the final design.
“All right,” Keaton called, clapping. “Break’s over. Let’s get these cabinets hung before lunch. Eli, want to be my official level holder?”
“Can I, Dad?” Eli looked between Noah and Luke, bouncing slightly. “I’ll be really careful!”
“’Course you can, buddy.” Luke nodded toward Keaton. “Just listen to everything Keaton tells you, okay?”
