Page 44 of A Winter Redemption
“You seem very good at this job,” Jarne said, voice direct and clipped. “This and the baking. And I’m glad you’re happy here. You made the right choice leaving. Sero loves you. His whole family does. You belong here.”
Aryn didn’t speak for a few moments. He stayed so still Jarne wondered if Aryn breathed at all. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“Of course,” Jarne said. “I would not say anything I didn’t mean.”
Aryn’s brows furrowed as if he was confused.
“And you want children?” Jarne asked, attempting to keep the conversation going.
“Yes,” Aryn said.
“When were you thinking?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh,” Jarne said.
Not exactly a flowing conversation, but they spoke words with no anger or hurt. That seemed like progress.
“We want to adopt from Bordertown, but we’re not sure how to go about it,” Aryn said. “And we don’t want to go to the city, which makes it complicated.”
Jarne nodded.
“Maybe I’ll need to go back,” Aryn said. “But do I just go to an orphanage? How would I choose? Do I choose? I hate the idea of choosing a child.”
“I know someone,” Jarne said. “A director of an orphanage in Bordertown.” Greweth Perfumeries donated money to the orphanage, and he’d met the director at some dinner. “I can send a letter.” He could at least help his brother with this.
“Can you? Really?” Aryn smiled at Jarne.
Jarne sucked in a breath. His brother actually smiled at him.
Jarne cleared his suddenly tight throat. “Yes. I can. What questions should I ask on your behalf?”
“I suppose the process. How do we adopt would be a good start.” Aryn gave a nervous laugh.
“And do you know how many children you want? Age preference? Gender?”
“Oh.” Aryn’s brows furrowed. “I’m not sure. We often talk about lots of kids. But not straightaway. We don’t care about gender or age. I just hope we will be good parents.”
Jarne didn’t know what made a good parent. He didn’t think theirs had been good.
“I’ve seen you with Mila and Rhorton’s daughters,” Jarne said. “And I’ve seen you all together as a family. There is so much love amongst you.” He stared at the baked goods on the shelves behind the counter. “I think if you love the children you adopt and accept them unconditionally and you build a family with affection, then you will be good parents.”
He met Aryn’s gaze.
“But what would I know about such things.” Jarne turned his face away. “I’ll send a letter for you.”
“Jarne,” Aryn said after a moment. “Are you all right?”
“Perfectly fine. Can I try one of the baked goods?”
“Oh yes. Of course.” Aryn turned to the shelves. “What do you want?” Aryn lifted his hand and waited for Jarne to decide.
“Something you made.”
Aryn’s hand tensed but only for a moment. He picked up a cookie and placed it in front of Jarne.
Jarne bit into it, chewing as the cookie dissolved in his mouth. “Lots of butter and sugar. Cinnamon and a hint of clove. A very pleasing texture. Very good. You’re a very good baker, Aryn.”
