Page 96 of The Locksmith's Promise

I was a dead weight in the parenting department.

But I could be a paycheck.

A support system.

And I could love them.

Half of Cor’s chatter went in one ear and out the other as I wrestled with my gross ineptitude.

“Dad?”

My gaze whipped around to meet his.

Dad.

Cheeks flushed, he stared back at me steadily.

It was only the second time he’d used that word.

I swallowed. “Yes, Son?”

He smiled, eyes twinkling with mischief. “Are you daydreaming? I just asked you if we could get chickens and you said yes.”

I cleared my throat. “Chickens?”

He laughed. “Yeah, chickens. Mickey says he’s getting rabbits.” His face scrunched. “I don’t think I could eat rabbits, they’re too cute. But I could do eggs. What do you say?”

Chickens.

We needed a house.

“Can we wait until we get a house?” I took an exaggerated look around my tiny apartment. “Not sure where we’d put them.”

He laughed again, loud and free, then eyed me speculatively. “Are we getting a house?”

For a second, I froze, wondering if it was okay for me to share my plans. But if I were him, I’d want to know a plan existed.

And that it included me.

“That’s the plan. A long time ago, I promised your mother a key. I intend to keep that promise.”

“Where?” He narrowed his eyes.

“Wherever your mother wants it.”

“I want to stay in Moose Lake.”

“Noted.”

“Can we stay in Moose Lake?”

I shook my head. “That’s wholly and entirely up to your mom.”

“Huh,” he grunted. “You really like her, eh?”

“You could say that.” I smirked. “You want to head out and see if Miller and Mickey want to play catch?”

By the time the boys tired of the game, Maggie was ready for us.

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