“We’re in the kitchen,” a woman’s voice answered in the distance.
Theo left my bags by the front door and led me through the shabby-chic living room that reminded me a lot of my own. We stepped into the kitchen that followed the same decorating pattern as the living room. It was like something out of a magazine. Chalk-painted cabinets, butcher block countertops, and white tin ceilings.
After I was done taking in all of the charming décor my eyes focused on the little boy, sitting at the table, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, looking just as I remembered him on the screen of my tablet. He had the same head of curls as his uncle but in a shade of auburn instead of dark brown. His eyes were the same hazel green as Theo’s and Kate’s, and there was no denying, he was absolutely adorable.
“Jillian, this is Thomas,” Theo introduced, messing up the little boy’s hair.
“It’s so nice to meet you, Thomas.” He gave me a shy grin, then buried his face in his hands. “That’s okay, we’ll get to know each other later.” I smiled.
“And this is Anna, she’s Kate’s housekeeper, cook, Thomas’ nanny, and my lifeline.” Theo walked over to the older heavy-set red-haired woman and maneuvered his arm around her shoulder.
“How do you do?” Anna asked, extending her hand to me.
“I’m well.” I took her hand gently in mine.
“How about some tea after your long journey? Or better yet, how about if you let me fix you a proper English breakfast,” she suggested.
I went to decline, but before I even could, she was already fiddling with the pots and pans.
“No use protesting, she’ll make you eat it.” Theo laughed. “I’m going to bring Jillian’s things upstairs and show her where she’ll be sleeping.” Theo directed the conversation back to Anna.
“Okay, love. Just don’t make too much noise. Kate’s taking a nap. I don’t think she slept well last night. She said she was in a lot of pain.”
Theo’s face was instantly etched in worry upon hearing that bit of news, and my heart ached for him just as much as it did for Kate. We walked back through the living room to the entryway. Theo effortlessly lifted my suitcase and quietly led the way upstairs. When we reached the room at the end of the hallway, he cursed under his breath at the creaking door as it opened.
“Wow!” I whispered as I entered the cheery room with lavender walls and bright sunlight streaming through the windows. “This is adorable.” I spoke a little louder when Theo closed the door so we wouldn’t disturb Kate. The bed was covered by a lace comforter that appeared to be handmade with the curtains to match. There was a white French provincial-style dresser in the corner of the room with a galvanized vase filled with fresh lavender on top. I couldn’t resist walking the few steps and inhaling its soothing aroma.
“That’s Anna. She loves fresh flowers everywhere.”
“This room is just so pretty.”
Theo shrugged. “I guess. In a very girly way.”
“I like girly stuff.” I laughed and plopped down on the bed, getting a good look at Theo with the bright sunlight filtering in. He really appeared to be exhausted. He had bags under his eyes and his paler-than-normal skin accentuated the dark circles under them even more. I tapped on the mattress for him to take a seat. “Are you sleeping okay?” I asked once he sat down next to me.
“Yeah.” He answered a little too quickly to be believable. “Why?”
“Because you look so tired. Look, I’m here for the next two weeks to help. Use me to your benefit.”
He smirked and I shook my head.
“Get your mind out of the gutter. Seriously, give yourself a break and relax a little. Go out with your friends tonight and have a good time. I’ll be here with Kate. I promise, she’ll be in good hands.”
“I know that.” He sighed. “It’s just...” His eyes glassed over. “I feel like I don’t have much time left with her, and I want to make the most of it.”
I covered his hand with mine. “I get it. I do, but what good is the time you have left if you’re too tired or stressed out to enjoy it?”
He nodded. “Okay, maybe I’ll go home and relax a bit, but I’ll be back later. I don’t want to go out with my friends. I’d rather be here.”
“Okay,” I whispered. “Go home and take a bubble bath or whatever it is you guys do to unwind.”
“A bubble bath?”
I was happy to see a genuine smile spread across his face.
I shrugged. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”
“So, you’re okay if I leave you here alone with Anna and Thomas until Kate wakes up?”
“Not a problem!”
We both stood up and he rubbed his hand along his jawline like he was deep in thought. “Chinese for dinner?” he asked.
“Sounds perfect.”
“Right then. I’ll see you around six.” He bent down and grazed my forehead with his lips. “Thanks for being here, Jillian.”
“Thanks for inviting me.” I smiled up at him.
I followed him downstairs and back into the kitchen.
“Perfect timing!” Anna announced, pointing to the tray of food sitting on the small round table. Eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, tomatoes, and a cup of tea. “Breakfast is served.”
I glanced at Theo, waiting for him to take a seat and join me. There was no way I was going to be able to eat all of that on my own.
“When in England...you eat a traditional English breakfast,” Theo said.
“This looks delicious, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat all of this on my own,” I said to Anna.
“I have faith that you can.” Theo smirked.
“Well, aren’t you gonna help?” I pleaded.
“Nope. I have a bubble bath that needs to be taken. Remember?”
I shook my head and smiled before taking a seat at the table.
Theo walked over to Thomas, whose face was smeared with jelly.
