Page 26 of York

“Mommy?”

She had good timing.

I knew I had to have that conversation with York, but I was a little too raw and vulnerable right then. I needed time to wrap my head around this new reality. Then I could sit him down and explain everything. Or, at least, what I knew. Which wasn’t much.

“Yeah, munchkin?” I called, hoping she wouldn’t question my red eyes as I opened the door.

“I want my toys from the car.”

“We should go pick up the rest of them from the motel,” I said.

“If you want to give me the motel and car keys, I can do that for you,” York offered.

“Can he?” Denali, who clearly didn’t want to leave her new home, asked.

“I don’t mind,” York said under his breath as he read my face.

“Okay,” I agreed.

“And we can stay?”

“Yep,” York answered. “And I will make sure to get all your toys and clothes from your old room.”

“And my toothbrush. Mommy left it charging.”

“I will empty every drawer,” York promised her as I fished for the two sets of keys.

With that, York was on his way, and I toured back through the house, opening all the closets. I found that he’d stocked towels, washcloths, first aid kits, medicine—both adult and children’s—cleaning supplies, and a vacuum.

Then, when I made it to the kitchen, I found pots, pans, cutlery, dishes, and pantry supplies.

With a tightening in my stomach, I pulled open the fridge, then the freezer.

Both were stocked.

I’d never seen so much food in my life.

Better yet, he made sure that he had every one of Denali’s favorite foods. And, I realized, they must have discussed mine, too, because he’d stocked the black raspberry ice cream I loved.

“Mama?” Denali called, making me jump.

“Yeah?”

“What are you looking at?”

“Come see,” I said, ushering her over.

I wasn’t sure she remembered a time we had a full-sized fridge, and I doubt she ever saw one completely full.

“Did York do that too?” she asked.

“He did.”

“Can I have one?” she asked, pointing at one of the ice cream cones she loved.

“Sure,” I agreed, taking one out and unwrapping it.

“He’s nice, isn’t he, Mama?” she asked.