“Let’s go on a Carnival one, Jax. One with the big slides.” Jayden got points for not calling his brother a baby.
Connor gave him the side eye. “How do these kids know so much about cruises?”
“Blame my mother. She’s obsessed.” Early shook his head. She was convinced Christmas cruises would be fun. He maintained that he wanted a tree. Presents. Parties. Lights. Sleighrides. The train.
Connor shrugged. “They have all the playground they need here.”
“Yep. And I need their help in the quest for perfect ranch lights and a singing big mouth bass in a Santa hat.” It would go perfectly in the front room.
Connor shook his head. He expected an emphatic no, but instead he got, “What does he sing?”
“Jingle Bells.”
Connor blinked, eyelashes fluttering. “You just—you didn’t even hesitate, Early.”
“I told you. They’re cool.”
“I guess this is what being a bazillonaire does for you? Dreams of singing fishes on wooden plaques singing Jingle Bells?” A skillet size portion of scrambled eggs landed on the counter in a big bowl. “Well, if you get that, then I want Santa and his sleigh and all his reindeer.” He grinned at Early. “On theroof.”
“I will make that happen.” He could totally hire it done, but he’d threaten to get up there himself a half dozen times first.
“Awesome.” Connor sat plates next to the eggs. “Bacon?”
“We’re getting reindeer on the roof!” The boys high-fived.
“No one loves the singing bass like I do,” Early lamented as he went for the bacon.
“Awww. I promise to at least try to enjoy the singing fish in a Santa hat.” Connor lied so well.
“Thank you.” He watched his sons inhale their first breakfast. That was impressive. It was like a weird magic trick where the food when into a black hole, and it didn’t seem to do anything.
Connor had taken a small plate for himself and was only half finished when the boys brought their plates to the sink. “Hoovers.”
“Bathing suits!” The boys took off at a run.
“Easy on the stairs, boys!” Connor rolled his eyes. “I don’t know why I bother saying that.”
“That pool was the best idea I’ve had since the boys. They love it.” Early shook his head. If he didn’t have an interview, he’d jump in himself.
“Are you sure the boys were your idea?” Connor winked at him. They had been and they both knew it. Not the adopting kids part but adopting these particular kids part.
“Pretty sure, but we both fell in love, so that didn’t matter.” They’d been so little—scared and skinny and desperate for connection and attention. They had all needed each other.
“How could we not?” Connor took the dishes to the sink and started loading up the dishwasher. “Thanks for the bacon. I’ll get this cleaned up. Do you want to find us a nice spot by the pool for this meeting?”
“I’m on it.” Early patted Connor’s butt on the way by.
“Easy, cowboy, I’m a little tender there today.” Connor clearly wasn’t complaining; he sounded pleased about that.
“I’ll get you a cushion for your chair outside.” It was going to be a great interview.
21
Reese brought the doughnuts from the best doughnut shop in fifty miles so as far as the kids were concerned, she was hired. They weren’t taking into consideration whether Reese actually intended to accept the position, but kids were great judges of character and Connor had to agree, it was hers if she wanted it.
She and Early started off talking shop though, and he was trying to follow, but he had to admit there was a lot he just didn’t understand. So he sipped his coffee and munched on his Boston cream doughnut while he listened.
“—raise cattle for meat or did you want to start a breeding program?”