CHAPTER 12

Abby

I woke to weak sunlight filtering through the gap in the curtains. Running my hand over the sheets next to me, I feel they are cold. The only indication Kane had been in bed next to me was the indentation of his head on the pillow.

I'm not sure if I'm disappointed or relieved that he didn't try anything last night. Shaking my head, I think about what I must do today, including taking the girls shopping for clothes this afternoon. All our plans had been moved around, with the meeting being changed to this afternoon instead of last night.

After a long cat-like stretch, I got up, went to the bathroom, did my routine and then made the bed. Heading to the dresser on the far side of the bedroom, I opened the bottom drawer and found a set of clean clothes I had left herea couple of months ago. I was surprised Kane hadn't questioned the woman's clothing when he moved in. Opening the rest of the drawers, I realised they were all empty. I guessed he didn't use this dresser.

Pulling on the clean underwear, jeans and jumper, I put my dirty clothes in the laundry basket in the corner of the room. Then, picking it up, I make my way through each of the bedrooms to pick up any dirty clothes and get them in the machine. Each floor had its own laundry room, so you didn't have to traipse downstairs with your washing.

Opening the room that Ben and the girls had used, I smiled when I saw everything was neatly folded, beds made, and Ben's makeshift bed tidied up and put in a pile on the chair in the corner. Then, checking their washing basket, I noted it was empty of dirty washing.

Heading to the bedroom next door, I saw it starkly contrasted with the one I had just come out of. The beds were left unmade, and clothes were scattered across the floor. Shaking my head at the mess, I picked it all up and added it to my basket before heading to the laundry room.

I was surprised to find Bren and Ellie already in there, snuggled up and reading quietly on the sofa that looked like it had seen better days but that I knew was very comfortable. Each laundry room had one so you could sit and fold if you wanted to while waiting for your next load to finish.

Smiling at them as I walked in, I said, "Good morning, girls. How are you both this morning?"

They smiled shyly at me, and once again, I was struck by the sheer beauty of these two. They replied with a quiet, "Morning."

Seeing the empty washing machine, I loaded it up and started it. Their washing was already in the tumble dryer.

Finishing up, I asked if they had eaten breakfast, and they both shook their heads.

"Not yet. We weren't sure if we would be allowed to go to the kitchen alone or to take food," Bren replied.

I thought these kids were going to kill me. I didn't think it was so much politeness that had stopped them but the fact that their kitchen didn't always have food in it or they were punished for taking without asking. I blinked my eyes quickly to stop the tears.

Clearing my throat roughly, I grabbed their hands and pulled them up from the couch and into my arms. Hugging them both tightly, I told them, "You never have to worry about that in this house, girls. If you're hungry and there is food in the kitchen, you help yourselves and eat. Come on, let's fold your washing and go and get some breakfast."

Grabbing their washing out of the dryer, I helped fold the few clothes they'd washed, and we dropped them off in their room on our way downstairs. Once we got to the kitchen, I showed them where they could find everything, and we made toast and scrambled eggs. Finally, they slowly started to open up and feel more comfortable with me.

"So, what do you girls feel like doing today?" I asked.

"I was supposed to go with Noni to the bakery this morning, but she put a note under the door to say that I was to sleep in and we would start tomorrow. I don't know if there is any cleaning or anything we need to do for Ms Maggie to help her?" Bren said.

"Ah, hun, you don't have to worry about cleaning too much. Just keep your bedroom tidy. Maggie and Kate have a cleaner who comes in and does the heavy cleaning a few times a week."

"Wow, they have a cleaner. They must be very rich," Ellie said, her eyes huge.

Bren and I laughed a little at the amazement in Ellie's voice. I guessed having a cleaner may seem a bit odd to these two. I certainly wouldn't like to keep on top of keeping this huge house clean and tidy. Grabbing our plates, I took them over to the sink to rinse. Bren took them from me and loaded the dishwasher. Looking over my shoulder, I saw Ellie wiping down the table and putting everything back where it should be.

I thought, ‘These kids needed to learn to relax a little.'

"Well, as you two girls are free for the morning, do you want to come to the barn and help me take measurements and make notes on what I will need to get the electrics sorted?"

They both nodded in agreement. We headed to the back door and the shoe and coat rack. Suiting up, I opened the door and saw it was drizzling again.

"Got to love an English spring day," I muttered, pulling my hood up. Then, making sure the girls were covered, we walked over to the barn along the gravel path past the cottage. I saw they were both in sneakers and made a mental note to see about some wellies for them.

I unlocked it with the key Kane gave me last night to get into the barn. Then, pulling out my tape measure and notebook from my wax jacket's deep pockets, we started work.

I loved spending time with the girls. Once they relaxed, I found them to be bright and fun to be around. When Ellie grew bored, I tore a few pages out of my notebook and set her up with a pencil to draw happily.

Bren and I were in the back of the barn looking at what would be the bathrooms when I heard a little grumble from the tummy of the girl standing next to me. I looked up with a grin.

Bren's cheeks were pink, "Sorry," she whispered.

Looking at my phone, I saw it was nearly lunchtime.

I grinned at her and flicked her nose, "No worries, hun, I'm getting hungry too. We've done loads of work this morning, enough for me to list the stuff we need. Let's grab your sister and head back to the main house to see what we can scrounge up for lunch."

Locking up, we headed back to the main house and found the kitchen filled with a bunch of delicious looking men. No Kane, though.

Draco turned from the stove, where he was stirring a pot of what smelled like tomato soup, and Dragon was at another counter buttering toast.

I greeted them all with a smile as we walked through the door in our socks, having left our muddy shoes in the hallway.

"Hey guys, anything we can do to help?"

Draco shook his head, "Nope, this is nearly ready. Wash hands and grab a seat."

The girls and I cleaned up and sat at the table. Bowls were in a pile at the top of the table, and spoons were placed in another pile in the middle of the table. I watched as Bren struggled before she gave up and started laying the table. The look of surprise on her face was priceless when she reached where Onyx was sitting. She laid the spoons in front of him with a serviette.

"Thanks, sweetie," he said to her. Her head shot up in surprise at his thanks.

"Um, you're welcome," she whispered before continuing with her job.

When she was finished, she sat down next to me, and I slipped my arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. My breath stopped briefly as she leaned her head slightly on my shoulder before sitting back up.

Ellie had not been as shy and was standing next to Dragon, chattering away, helping him butter the toast.

I couldn't wait until Bren was as comfortable, but I understood that she had been hurt much in her short life, whereas Ellie had been protected by both her and Ben.

Draco brought the soup to the table and started spooning it out and passing bowls around.

There was silence as everyone ate. I was finishing and was wondering what was happening that afternoon or if the plans had changed.

"What's happening this afternoon?" I asked.

Draco looked up, "We have a meeting with Reaper to go over what can be done about the gang infiltrating the village and corrupting it. Avy and Noni are coming to the meeting, and then I think you are all heading to the next town to buy the girls some clothes."

"Oh, we don't need clothes. I can wash what we have," Bren said quickly.

Rogue laid his hand gently over Bren's, "Bren honey, you have to let Noni take you shopping. My sister goes into withdrawals if she doesn't go at least once a week. And then, man, is she a bear to live with," he rolled his eyes to the ceiling during this last comment.

I sniggered a little, thinking I needed to tell Noni what Rogue had just told the girls because I knew for a fact that it was a lie. Noni hated shopping.

"Plus, if you don't go shopping, what will we do with all these gift cards we got you," Dragon said with a smile as each of the guys reached into a pocket and laid a gift card in front of the girls. Soon they each have a pile for different stores.

Ellie's eyes are just about popping out of her head. Bren, though, my poor girl, promptly burst into tears and threw herself at Dragon.

I have to hand it to him. He didn't flinch at Bren's tears and pulled her in for a tight hug before kissing the top of her head.

Putting her back on her feet, he took his serviette and dried her face. "Enjoy your shopping, sweet girl. And make sure Noni and Avy take you for ice cream after, okay?"

She nods, giving him a beaming smile that lights up her entire face, before sitting back down next to me to start looking through all her gift cards.

I looked around the table at these battle-hardened men, their faces soft as they watched the girls and listened to their excited chatter.

Surrounded by the sounds of happy girls chatting and the deep tones of the men as they talked, it was the most contented I had been in a long time.