He gave a whoop of approval. “Yes, please!”
“Omelettes coming right up.” She mentally added some diced spinach and cheddar cheese shreds to the list of ingredients. “Who wants one?”
To her amusement, Owen’s hand shot up along with his boys. “You’re bottomless pits,” she marveled. “All of you.”
Ryder and Cooper raced inside. She and Owen followed at a slower pace. He slung his arm around her. “In case you missed it, we can’t get enough of your cooking…or you.” He paused at the door to nuzzle her temple. “You make everything better, Halle. You’ve brought the color back into our lives.”
She was so moved by his words that she wrapped her arms around his middle, lingering in the garage with him. “I feel the same way about you guys. Getting to be a part of your family is the happiest I’ve been in a long time.” She wasn’t simply referring to the loss of her parents. Growing up as an only child had been lonely. “I’ve always wished I had siblings.”
“Siblings with an S?” The look he gave her was both searching and teasing.
She nodded shyly. “A classic case of wanting what you don’t have, huh?” Her biggest, most heartfelt dreams had always revolved around family.
“Do you want more children, Halle?” He scanned her features. “Beyond my two ragamuffins, that is?”
“I do,” she whispered, feeling her face grow warm.
“Me, too.” He brushed his mouth against hers. “I always have. The thought of the twins growing up without knowing what it feels like to be older brothers...” He shook his head. “I want more for them.”
She smiled dreamily. “Can you imagine their reaction?”
“I don’t want to imagine it.” His voice grew rough with emotion. “I want to live it.”
So did she—right after they figured out what her ex-fiancé and his crooked family were up to. The Houses and Aspens deserved to be behind bars. “I’m so ready for the bad stuff to be over,” she sighed, “so we can focus on the good things.”
“Speaking of the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he said slowly, “what’s your opinion about homeschooling?”
The rapid change of subject caught her by surprise. Was it something he was considering for Ryder and Cooper? Because she had a long list of opinions to share on the topic. Favorable ones. “I think it’s a great option for families who can pull it off. There are more resources out there for homeschoolers than ever before. More curriculum choices. More support groups. More umbrella schools for credentialing and accountability. More accommodations at public schools for clubs and sports. Parents no longer have to wing it or worry about teaching to their own strengths. It’s seriously the best of both worlds.”
His eyes glowed into hers. “You’re a wealth of information on the topic, Miss Garrett.”
“It comes with the territory,” she reminded, chuckling. “My dream classroom is a small homeschool group in a flexible workspace that could easily spill outdoors.”
“A chicken farm, for instance?” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.
“A chicken farm would totally fit the bill.” Was he seriously considering it? “It would be the perfect place to engage half a dozen well-vetted students with a hands-on curriculum—everything from science experiments in the kitchen to nature walks to stargazing. Education isn’t contained by textbooks or classroom walls. It’s something to be experienced. To be lived.” Her enthusiasm for the idea welled up and threatened to bubble over. There was no limit to the number of field trips she could coordinate for a group that size—in town, out of town, everywhere! The possibilities for learning were endless.
“Sold!” Owen hitched her closer. “I would give anything to provide my boys with the quality education you just described.”
Her brain swam with ideas. “You don’t want Ryder and Cooper in Blaire Aspen’s classroom any more than I do, huh?”
“You know me well.” He drew a finger down her cheek. “It’s a lot to ask of you. It’s a lot to ask of anyone, but after hearing you describe your dream classroom…” He left the question hanging between them.
“I would homeschool the twins in a heartbeat, Owen.” She didn’t have to think twice about it. “If we include a few more students in the venture, it would more than pay for itself. It would also go a long way toward replacing the income I’d be giving up at the elementary school.”
It was a good thing she’d requested Dr. House to put the changes to her job description in writing, essentially forcing him to renegotiate her teaching contract. He’d inadvertently paved the way for an early termination of her contract. Even if he didn’t like her decision to resign, she instinctively knew he wouldn’t contest it. A man in his shoes couldn’t afford the scrutiny of a lawsuit.
“Let’s do it,” Owen declared exultantly. “We’ll pick out a curriculum, draft a budget, and take it from there. If you prefer to start small with a class of only two boys, that’s fine with me, too. You have my full support with whatever you decide.”
“It’s sweet of you to say that. Really.” Her heart was floating with excitement and anticipation. “But socialization is important, too. Children learn so much from each other about sharing, teamwork, and so many other things.”
“I trust you with the details.” He raised her hands to his lips. “My only request before jumping into the homeschool venture is this. Let’s set a date for our wedding and make it quick.”
She caught her breath. “How quick are we talking about?” They’d tossed around a few dates, but hadn’t penciled anything on the calendar yet.
“Yesterday,” he joked.
“Owen!”
