Page 49 of Raspberry Cake
The fire truly was the perfect end to a long day. He held Eveline close while the embers slowly died out. When they’d both finished their drinks, Eveline wiggled out of his hold and pulled her wheelchair closer.
“Come on, let’s get you inside.”
“Try to get some sleep,” Laira teased, earning a wink and a smirk from her sister.
“Let me grab my stuff from the truck.”
As they walked, Renley noticed the little things that made the house more accessible for Eveline: the yard had a paved path, and both doors had ramps instead of stairs. Inside, she showed him to their spacious room on the first floor with an ensuite bathroom.
“You seem tired,” she said, pulling him down to cup his cheek.
“I am.”
“Well, time to cuddle and rest up. We might get lucky to sleep in tomorrow, but I can’t promise it’ll happen all weekend.”
The second he laid by her side, his arms tightly around her, he was out like a light.
Soft snickering woke Renley the next morning. It took him a moment to realise where he was, but Laira’s voice jogged his memory.
“Let them be,” she whisper-yelled. “You’ll meet him after school.”
Eveline’s body shook in his arms as she tried to suppress her giggle. When the footsteps quieted, she couldn’t hold it in anymore. “Told you.”
He pulled her tightly to his chest and kissed her forehead, unable to fight the tingle that spread through his veins. “If I’m going to be interrogated by children, I’m going to do it with food. Let’s go.”
Seeing that Eveline only threw a sweatshirt over her pyjamas, Renley didn’t do more than slip into the fluffy slippers she’d bought him. He followed her into the kitchen, where Laira had tamed Mathew and Drew with pancakes while she packed their lunches.
The younger one, Drew if he remembered correctly, waved excitedly. “Uncle Renley!”
Thatmade Renley’s heart jump.
“Drew, remember what we talked about,” Laira scolded, offering Renley an apologetic smile.
“But he’s Auntie Eve’s boyfriend.”
“He has a point,” Tod chimed in as he came down the stairs. “I’m off.”
Laira pulled him into a kiss and handed him a lunch bag. “Love you.”
“Love you too,” and with a kiss for each of his boys and a smile towards the two adults, Tod left.
With a plate filled with pancakes that Laira insisted he have, Renley sat down between the boys and Eveline.
“Are you coming with us tomorrow?” Mathew garbled around a mouthful of pancake.
“I am, so I hope you guys are ready for a jump-off on the trampolines.”
“They have a zipline too!” Drew cheered.
With a sigh, Laira stood behind her two blond-headed boys and combed through their messy hair. “You two better behave otherwise they will not take you again.”
“Yes, Mom,” they promised in unison.
“Now, grab your bags and put your shoes on.”
They scrambled off their chairs, rushing to the front door and grabbing their things. With bright smiles and waves their mother ushered them out the door.
“Did she even have anything to eat?” Renley asked, looking around.
