Page 3 of Summer Heat
I picked up the bags and followed them at a slower pace. I was relieved that Maya was happy to be here, and she wasn't dwelling on everything they'd lost.
I paused in the doorway to the guest room where Maya was jumping on the bed.
"Stop jumping on the bed," Kinsley implored her.
Maya's eyes widened when she saw me, and she dropped to her butt.
"I don't want you to fall off and get hurt," I said, following Kinsley's lead. My brothers and I had routinely jumped on these beds when adults weren't paying attention. But I knew enough to respect Kinsley's parenting decisions, and I didn't want to see Maya's arm in a cast. Just the thought had my chest tightening with anxiety.
Maya tilted her head, her hair falling across her face. "Can this be my room?"
"You can choose any room you want. Except for mine, the one at the end of the hall."
She nodded seriously. "I want this one."
Kinsley appeared in the doorway. "No matter how many times I see this place, it’s still impressive.”
I looked forward to not being alone in the house anymore. The pressure of renovating it like my grandmother would have wanted was overwhelming at times.
Dad complained that I'd get started on a project, then forget about it, moving onto something else. I worried that he was right in this case.
I wanted to be like my brothers, but no matter how hard I tried, focus and organization weren't my strong suits.
"We'll try to be quiet."
I paused, leaning a hip against the counter. "I'm renovating the place. I can assure you; I won't be quiet."
Her lips tipped into a smile, and warmth spread through my chest.
"I want you to feel at home here. Can I get you anything? Food? Clothes?"
Kinsley's forehead creased, the reality of her situation coming back to her. "We need everything. Then I need to deal with the insurance company."
"Why don't you call them now, and I'll help get Maya settled into her room?
She shot me a grateful look. "If you're sure you can handle Maya."
I squeezed her shoulder as I edged past her into the bedroom. "Trust me. I've got this." Then to Maya, I clapped my hands. "Let's get your things unpacked so that we can get you some toys."
"Toys!" Maya cried as she launched herself at me. Her arms and legs wrapped around my neck and waist, stunning me for a second.
I met Kinsley's gaze over Maya's shoulder. "Go do your thing."
"I'm going to make a phone call about the water damage. You can hang out with Mr. Shep."
I winced at the formal designation. "Let's go with Shep."
"Shep, Shep, Shep," Maya chanted as I lowered her to the floor. I waved a hand at Kinsley.
She sighed, then turned and walked out of the room. I couldn't believe that Kinsley and Maya were living in my house, even if it was only temporary.
I was used to being a bachelor. I didn't have a set schedule, other than at work. That was going to change. Because kids demanded things at certain times.
I bowed deeply in front of Maya. "Where should we put your things, my lady?"
She giggled. "In the wardrobe, silly."
"In the wardrobe. But of course." I went through the bags, pulling out her clothes. I folded some and placed them in the drawers, and others I hung in the closet. Maya was a good helper, directing me as I went.
