Page 69 of Summer Heat
"I want it to be in our family for generations. I might not have any kids, so it makes more sense for the rest of the family to enjoy it."
My stomach sunk when he said he might not have kids. Did that mean he didn't want them? He didn't see a future with me and Maya? Or was it something more? He didn't think he was worthy of having children? My brain was running rampant with ideas, none of them good.
Elena curled her hand around Hudson's arm. "I think it's a great idea, Shep. Your parents will be thrilled too, I'm sure."
"It's going to be great when it's done." Hudson shifted through the other blueprints. "What's this?"
He held up one I hadn't seen before.
"That's the garage. I was going to put a gym out there."
Hudson nodded. "I like that you're doing something for you."
"What about for the kitchen? You decide whether you're going with dark or white cabinets?" Hudson asked, having slipped into full contractor mode.
"I think dark. It just goes with the overall style of the house. White is too modern."
Elena nodded. "I have to agree. I love white, but I can't see it in a home like this. It's so grand. It needs something that makes a statement."
"You should do what you want. Make it your own," Hudson reiterated.
"It will be a Kingston house. For now and forever," Shep said firmly.
I wondered why he was so insistent that it stay in the family. Maybe because he felt a little guilty that he'd gotten the house over his brothers. "What should we make for lunch?"
"I picked up some sandwiches from the local deli earlier." Shep pulled the platter from the fridge and set it outside.
I grabbed glasses and the lemonade that I'd made yesterday. Shep set the table, and then I went by the staircase to call for Maya.
"In a minute!" she called down.
I waited for her to descend the stairs in case she felt uncomfortable with guests here. She hurried down the stairs, jumping from the second step. I didn't chide her because it wasn't that high. I took her hand, and she skipped to the sliding door.
I opened it for her, and Elena smiled at her. "Maya, I'm so glad you're here."
Maya moved to her for a hug. "Are you getting married on the beach like a princess?"
Elena laughed. "I don't know about a princess."
Maya held her hands out as if she was showcasing a voluminous skirt. "You're wearing the big white dress. You'll be a princess."
Elena smiled indulgently. "I suppose I'll look like one for a day."
"I'm always a princess," Maya said, spinning in a circle, her dress fanning around her knees.
"Come sit, princess," I said.
She flounced onto her chair, and I set a sandwich and fruit in front of her. She dug into the fruit bowl, hunting for grapes. "Use your fork, please."
"Ugh, fine," she grumbled but picked up the utensil.
We talked about Elena and Hudson's plans for the wedding.
"Let us know if we can do anything to help," I said.
"Linnea's handling everything, so you don't have to worry about anything," Elena said.
"I'm sure we'll be moved out before the wedding," I managed to say around the bite of my sandwich that tasted like dust.
