“Mmm. My stuff is already here, and since I have the most to move, Sunday should be easy,” Ford said, leaning back into his body.
Sawyer nodded. “Not that you have that much stuff.”
“What can I say? I travel light.” Ford shrugged, then called out to the kids. “Savanna, Gavin, come and pick out your rooms." Sawyer couldn’t help grinning at the excitement in Ford’s voice.
The kids had been roaming around outside since they’d gotten to the new house, checking out the huge backyard and the surrounding woods. Ford had already mapped out a space in the back for a play area, and even had picked where a tree house could be constructed.
He kept reminding Ford that they were just renting, even though the owners made it clear they were interested to sell. Sawyer had set up a tentative rent-to-own agreement with them, so he would build whatever Ford wanted for him and the kids.
“I want the biggest room!” Gavin took off into the house. If he hadn’t gotten out of the way, the kid would have flattened him on his way up the stairs that led to the house.
“Careful,” Ford called. “We don’t need a trip to the emergency room before we even get moved in.”
“Um no!” Savanna came through at a run. “Hey, I’m the oldest. I get the biggest room!”
“If you wanted it, you should have moved faster,” Gavin called already up the stairs.
Savanna made a sound like an angry cat and took off after her brother. “You little jerk.” She actually laughed. “Come back here.”
Sawyer sighed. “Did you see that? She does have a smile.”
Ford chuckled before adding, “They should both run track with how fast they jetted past me.”
Fuck, Sawyer was worried his face would lock in a permanent smile.
“What time did they say the sofas and dining table would be here again?” Sawyer asked as they walked up the stairs and into the house to join the kids.
Ford snorted, “Sometime today.”
Yeah, not even late delivery people could ruin his mood.
It was late Sunday evening, and they were all moved into their new home. They’d spent most of the day making sure the rooms were sleep ready for the kids since tomorrow was a school day.
They’d just finished their first dinner that Barb had made for them before she left. Once everyone was good and full, Ford smiled and rubbed his hands together. “Who’s up for a family game night?”
“I am. I am.” Gavin eagerly shouted. Over the past week and a half, Gavin had come out of his shell even more, and Sawyer even made a call to his teacher, Mrs. Harper, to confirm that she had noticed a drastic improvement already.
“One down… who else is on board?” He turned to Savanna.
She groaned and rolled her eyes. “Pass. Sounds boring.”
Gavin was practically vibrating in his seat, and he nudged his sister. “Come on, Savanna. It will be fun. Stop being a party pooper.”
Did the kid know they meant board games not video games?
Her lips curved, and Sawyer was relieved to see her smile, even though he had to admit it was becoming more frequent. “Okay… I’m in.”
Ford cheered. “Okay, you know the drill. Rinse your dish and put them in the dishwasher, and I’ll go get the game.”
Ford hopped out of his seat like an eight-year-old on a sugar high and disappeared into the smaller living room that held most of the boxes that didn’t belong to anyone in particular. Sawyer knew he was grabbing the one with board games Barb and Doug had given them as a housewarming gift.
“Okay, let’s get this tidied away and then we’ll have our first family game night.” If someone had told him a year ago this would be his life, Sawyer would have snorted and told them to get their head checked.
The kids picked up their plates and walked over to sink without complaint while Sawyer grabbed Ford’s before joining them.
Ford walked back with his hands full. He had chosen Monopoly, Scrabble, and Clue. When Sawyer looked up at Ford with a brow quirked, before he could speak, Ford said, “Babe, can you get the Jenga and Yahtzee please.”
Sawyer shrugged and nodded before disappearing into the living room to find the box marked “board games” still open. Sawyer looked in the box and saw there were a couple more options in it. He shook his head. Of course Doug and Barb had bought them every game they could think of.
Sawyer grabbed what he’d been sent for. Man, when was the last time he’d played board games? Maybe cards in college, but not since.
He hadn’t exactly grown up the family-game-night type. His mom was either working or sleeping after coming in from work. In between, she was helping him with homework or endeavoring to get whatever extras he needed.
Sawyer closed his eyes. Gosh, he wished that she was here, both to enjoy everything he’d achieved and to meet Ford. Sawyer wondered what she would think of him now… would she be upset that he’d taken in his siblings?
He thought about how kind she was, how she’d go shopping for their neighbor, another single mom, even when they were struggling.
“Sawyer.” Ford’s voice brought him out of the memory, and he hurried back to the kitchen.
“Take your pick.” Ford gestured at the games laid out in front of him, and Sawyer placed the ones he’d brought in next to them.
Both Gavin and Savanna reached for Jenga.
Ford’s lips curved in a wide smile. “All right, Jenga it is!”
“You know we can play all these on our iPhones, right?” Savanna shot them a look.
“Yeah, but this is family game night,” Ford said. “Which means we all play together.”
Sawyer lowered himself to the seat beside Ford, muffling his laughter
