“The puppies need to go out. I need help.”
“I’m coming, son.” Early took out Sophie and one of the Labs, Jaxson took out the other.
He watched them leave because Sophie on a leash was too cute, like taking a dust bunny for a walk.
“So…you really like it here, huh?” Jayden asked peeling an egg and not looking at him.
“I told you I would.” He set the spinach on the counter and ruffled Jayden’s hair. “Are you ready for school to start?”
“Yeah. We’ve already got friends, and soon it’ll be too cold to swim all the time here. Do you think it’ll be different?”
“School? Maybe. I think there are fewer kids than back in Denver, but the school itself is bigger. But like you said, you already have a few friends, so you know you’ll meet more.”
Jayden nodded, working the shell off the egg like he was defusing a bomb. “Yeah, and everyone wants to know us. That’s cool too. Are you going to help Daddy run the ranch so that you can come to stuff with us after school?”
“I am. Won’t that be great? I don’t have work regular hours anymore, so I can come to everything.” He wasn’t going to miss anything. “That’s one of the best things about running our own business.”
“I think it’s great. You’re going to have so much fun, too. We like the idea of having hang-out afternoons with you too.”
“You do, huh? Then I guess this whole ranch thing is good for us.” When did Jayden get so grown up? He sounded like a teenager already. “Are you excited about your puppy?”
“Duh! I love her! She’s so pretty, and I’m going to teach her how to catch a ball and swim and bite bad guys and lead the blind!”
Lead the blind. He managed not to laugh this time. “Ambitious. What if she just wants to play and snuggle?”
“Daddy says ranch dogs need jobs. Is that a good enough job to keep her?”
Oh, so sweet. “Yes. That’s a good enough job for any dog. But if Daddy says you should keep her busy, there’s plenty for her to learn.”
“First, don’t poop in the house.”
“Yes.” He grinned at his son. “Or pee. Or chew on anything but chew toys, especially not Sophie.”
“Brownie’s going to be the best dog, Dad. You may have to watch out for Goldie.” That wink was pure wickedness. “She did pick Jaxson…”
“You are very observant, buddy.” Jaxson and Jayden were not their biological children, but it didn’t matter. Jayden took after him, and Jaxson was just like his Daddy.
“Hopefully, they will wear each other out enough they can only get into so much trouble.”
“Can they swim? What if they jump in the pool? What are you going to do when we’re at school?”
“I think Labs swim pretty well. And we will look after them. They’re yours mostly, but they’re family dogs. Don’t worry.”
“Daddy promised that there will be a running yard thing for them, and once a week we have to pick the poop up. Do you too, since you got a dog?”
“Hm. I don’t know. Since Daddy and I are buying all the groceries I think maybe you boys can do some chores for us.” He winked.
“Yeah. Outside chores are cooler than inside ones. Inside chores suck.” Jayden shot him another look. “Daddy fired Ian, and he was cleaning the house and stuff. Ian wasmad.”
“Oh?” It was hard to school his expression and stay cool, but he managed it. “Did Ian say something to you?”
“Yeah, but it’s not nice.” Jayden sort of glanced away from him. He knew that look. He’d known it since Jayden was barely able to make himself understood.
It infuriated him, that Ian would say something around his kids that they didn’t even feel like they could repeat. He was angry under the surface, but he kept his lawyer face on for his son. “Sometimes when a grown-up asks, it’s okay to say not nice things. You can tell me, it’s okay.”
“He said that Daddy fired him because you found out they were in love. I told him that you were married and kiss all the time.” Jayden shook his head. “I know I’m a kid, but Daddy talks about you all the time. Daddy never talked about him. Never.”
He couldn’t answer right away; there was too much in what Jayden just said to unpack gracefully. He took a breath, then nodded. “Daddy and I are solid as a rock. You told him the right thing.” He took another breath. “Hey, can you do me a favor, and run out and see if Daddy needs help with Sophie? Two puppies is a lot.” He could hold it together another thirty seconds.