Page 99 of Peach Tree Family

Chapter 25

It was another very early morning that had Theo climbing out of Seth's bed and sneaking back into the bedroom he shared with Ace. Sometimes Ace would wake up and ask him where he was.

"I was hanging out with Seth," Theo told him. It was close enough to the truth, and Ace had only one follow up question.

"Did you play video games without me?"

So far, Theo hadn't talked to Ace about him and Seth. He didn't know exactly what was going on between them, but he did know it was good. That's why he tried not to question it too much.

That morning after breakfast as Ace was running around the woods with the cat, he had yelled about how many flowers Butter found. Theo was pretty sure cats weren't interested in flowers, but now that he was standing outside he could see for himself all the new green shoots and colorful buds coming out on the shrubs and trees.

It made him smile. Until now he never thought he would like living in a house that seemed to be in the middle of the woods. After all coming here was a desperation move. But seeing the forest around them come alive was really nice, and he was looking forward to looking out there at lots of green.

Theo had cleaned up their picnic table for lunch. They were expecting a bunch of kids to show up for a "forest adventure", and Ace was now in the kitchen with Seth helping him put together some sandwiches and making sure he didn't put too much salad in them.

Theo was expecting the kids to be dropped off any minute, but the car he saw pulling up in front wasn't one he ever wanted to see again. As the car door opened, Theo kept staring like he could will her away, but there she was, Aunt Cindy. At least she was alone. For now anyway.

Watching her approach, Theo was reminded of how much he hated that she looked like their mother. But the closer she got, the less she looked like Mom. She might have Mom's blond, wavy hair and slight frame, but Aunt Cindy didn't have Mom's expressive eyes full of kindness. Seeing her up close, Theo only saw the woman who failed them and hurt Ace.

"Why are you here?" Theo said to her, but she didn't answer as she looked over his shoulder at the house. Was she looking for Ace?

"That's a nice little house. You gonna invite me inside?" she asked with an insincere smile.

"No."

"We need to have a little talk, Theo," she said wiping the fake smile off her face.

"We have nothing to talk about," Theo told her.

She opened her mouth to disagree, but just then Rico drove up. Aunt Cindy gave Theo one of her thin smiles and she went off to her car. As Theo watched her drive away, Rico let Sammy and Gloria out of the car. After greeting them, Theo pointed them toward the door to the kitchen where they would find Butter and Ace.

"That's not a happy look you're wearing," Rico said as he came over.

"Just an unwelcome visitor," Theo said then he pointed at what Rico had in his hand. "Is that a swing?"

"Mitch made it. Just pick a sturdy branch and tie it off then watch the kids fight over who gets to swing on it," Rico said as he handed it to him.

"Oh, OK. Thanks."

He went off and Rob and Julian were next to arrive with Danny and Lenny. "We'll keep a close eye on Danny," Theo assured them and he wasn't planning to let Ace out of his sight either.

Danny and Lenny went to join the other kids, and Julian told him, "Thanks. It's nice of you to host the kids."

"We're planning to take full advantage," Rob said and he grinned at Julian.

"I'm not confirming or denying anything," his fiancé said.

"Have fun," Theo told them then he went to show Seth the swing they needed to install.

They were picking out a tree for it with the help of the kids when Wyatt got there, but didn't get out of the car, only the kids did.

"I'm going to pick up Sam." Wyatt waved to Theo and Seth then he called out to the boys, "OK, you guys try not to get eaten by bears."

"Bears!" Ry yelled like he was ready to challenge them to a fight.

Theo wanted to tell Wyatt about his aunt but he was gone too fast, eager to get together with his husband.

As the kids kept them busy, Theo tried not to let Ace see how rattled he was. Of course Seth noticed, but Theo couldn't talk to him about it just then. "I'll tell you what's going on later," Theo told him. For now he just wanted all the kids to have fun.

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