“Oh, we just ate breakfast not too long ago,” Cheyenne said with a wave of her hand. “I’d love a tour of this fabulous house before we eat.”
“Maybe you should meet the children before we take a tour. That is why you’re here, isn’t it?” Debbie’s words carried a hard edge. Apparently, his fiancé—pretend fiancé—wasn’t any fonder of his ex-wife than he was.
He gave her hand a quick squeeze before standing. “I’ll go get the kids.”
As badly as he wanted to protect his children from their mother, the sooner she met them and realized she didn’t really want custody, the better. Cheyenne would disappear as soon as she got what she wanted, so the quicker they helped that happen, the sooner he could say good riddance.
Savannah looked up as soon as he stepped into the playroom. “Are they here?”
“Yes.” Austin wished there was some way to make this easier for his daughter. But she would have to face her mother at some point. He’d rather it be while he was by her side to protect her.
Savvy stood, and the boys followed her from the room. They walked much slower and quieter than their usual run-and-scream-at-the-top-of-their-lungs pace. Perhaps they were more upset about meeting their mom than Austin realized.
Dallas slid his hand into Austin’s.
He squeezed his son’s hand, then put his arm around savvy’s shoulder and pulled her close, keeping a close eye on Cody who walked ahead of them.
* * *
Debbie gaveCheyenne and Tucker a tight smile as Austin walked out.
He better come back.
It wouldn’t surprise her if he decided to take the kids and sneak out the back door. What kind of woman promises to attend her sons’ soccer game then goes shopping instead? And how on earth can Cheyenne be more interested in touring the house than seeing the children she hasn’t seen for five years?
Cody walked through the wide doorway into the sitting room first.
Cheyenne leaned forward on the sofa. “Oh my goodness. Dallas, you’re so big.”
“I’m not Dallas.”
“Oh, then you’re…” Cheyenne faltered as though she couldn’t remember the name of her youngest son.
“I’m Cody.” He said the words with an air of defiance then walked over and sat by Debbie.
She wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him close.
“Cody. Right. I can’t believe how big you are. You were just a little guy the last time I saw you.”
And whose fault is that?
Dallas walked through the door next.
“Oh, there you are, Dallas. Wow, you sure have grown too.”
“I’m almost ten.” A note of contempt filled Dallas’s voice.
Was that his subtle way of reminding his mother how long she’d been gone?
Even though Dallas could be as hyperactive and as loud as Cody, he had a much more serious and reserved personality. He was only four when his mom left, but was it possible he remembered her neglect while she was still there? He plopped down on the couch on Debbie’s other side.
She wrapped her other arm around him. Tears flooded her eyes when he leaned into her.
Dallas wasn’t usually as cuddly as Cody.
Cheyenne stood when Savannah walked into the room. “Look at you Savvy. I can’t believe how grown up you are.”
Savannah froze when Cheyenne took a step forward.
