She giggles and crawls inside. I poke my head in to see her reaction. Wide-eyed, she glances around at the battery-powered lanterns I set up along the perimeter. She flops down onto an air mattress and closes her eyes, like she’s trying to take in the moment. When they open, she looks over at me. “This is the bestest blanket fort in the whole wide world.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
Over the next four hours, my cheeks hurt from the smile that never disappears. Because through all the pizza eating—spills and all—games, laughter, and one impromptu dance party, I find I’m having the time of my life. And based on Kenna’s quiet,peaceful, awestruck demeanor, she might just be having the time of hers.
~ ~ ~
Amelia’s smile drops and her shoulders sag when breakfast—also eaten in the fort—is over and we’re packing up to leave.
I go to remove the large tarp, but Kenna puts her hand on mine. “Leave it. It’ll keep her busy today if she can play in it.”
“Sure.” I nod, knowing I’ll do whatever I can to make both of them happy. “We’ll pack it up when I come back.”
Kenna smiles. Because Bug and Christian may be going home, but after I drop them off and pick up a few supplies, I’ll be right back here, living out the fireplace fantasy. The thought of it has me eager to leave.
“Maybe we can do this again next Friday,” Christian says.
“We’ll see,” is all I can say.
Kenna and I exchange a look. I know we’re both wondering if they’re even going to be here a week from now. Will Jonah and his friend have dug up any useful information on Cyrus? Will Kenna decide it’s too much trouble living in the cabin and finally go south? My brain doesn’t even allow me to think that far ahead. Because this isn’t a permanent solution. Just like them living in my basement was never meant to be one.
I shake away those thoughts and questions and move on to something more productive. Leaning in so nobody else can hear, I whisper to Kenna, “Maybe wewon’tdisassemble the fort. Because I can think ofa lotof other fun things we can do inside it.”
A blush sweeps up her face. Then a smile. She’s totally on board. And it might help solve the problem of little prying eyes should Amelia wake up and come out for a glass of water. I’ve tossed around a few ideas on how we could get naked withoutthe fear of being interrupted, and the fort now adds another layer of protection.
I whisk Amelia off her feet and into a hug. “Thanks for the best sleepover, pumpkin.”
She hugs me tightly. It has me closing my eyes. There’s nothing like a hug from a child, and it’s a distant memory when Christian wrapped little arms around me like this. Every time Amelia does it, my heart flips almost as much as it does when her mom hasherarms around me.
When I put her down, Amelia turns to Christian. “You’re lucky. You have the best daddy.”
“You’re right about that, squirt,” he replies. “Heisthe best. And I’m more than happy to share him with you.”
Her eyes light up. “You mean he can be my daddy too?”
My heart thunders at her innocent words. Same as they did the last time she asked the very same question.
“I, uh…” Christian looks like a deer in headlights. “I meant, you know, like building forts and snowmen and stuff.” He glances at me. “Don’t we need to get going?”
“Amelia,” Kenna says. “Get your coat on. We’ll go build another Frosty.”
“A daddy Frosty?”
“Sure, if you want.”
“Can we name him Carter?”
Kenna and I stare at each other. She doesn’t know what to say. Nobody does.
I step forward. “You can name him whatever you want. But Carter the Snowman?” I cringe. “Maybe you should just stick with Frosty.”
“How about Snowflake the Snowman?”
Christian and Bug chuckle.
“I think Snowflake is perfect.” I ruffle her hair. “See you later, alligator.” I turn to Kenna and raise a sultry brow. “And you.”
Kenna’s smile isn’t as big as before. She’s still thinking about the whole ‘daddy’ thing. I wonder if when I leave, she’ll sit Amelia down inside the blanket fort and have a serious conversation. One about me not being her father. Not now. Not ever. One about her not getting her hopes up and not getting too attached. One about how they will be leaving soon.
