Kinley gingerly sat back down next to him and took his hand. “He’s very smart, isn’t he?” she asked the men after Jerald left.
“Very much so,” Senior said. “We don’t know what we’d do without him. He’s been with us since David was a baby.”
“Really? Wow.”
“Have you ever had cats or dogs in the house?” she asked them all.
“Both Eli’s mother and grandmother were allergic.”
“My mom was, too.”
David grinned. “It would be nice to have a dog. Jerald might kill us, though.”
Kinley laughed at David.
Later, Eli caught Kinley trying to hide a yawn.
“Are you tired, baby?”
“No, I’m okay. I don’t want to leave yet.”
“We’re spending the night here.”
“We are? That will be fun.”
Eli laughed. “Yes.”
“Oh, wait, I don’t have any clothes. I can always wear these tomorrow and get a t-shirt of yours to wear.”
“For one thing, I never let you wear anything to bed…”
Kinley gasped and turned bright red. “I can’t believe you said that in front of them.” She hid her face against his shoulder.
Eli smiled at his family over her head.
David spoke up. “I have a nightgown my, Eli’s mom, Camila loved. Although she never got to wear anything to bed either.”
“Oh, my God, Dad. This is my mother you’re talking about.” Eli groaned, making Kinley laugh.
“Let’s get you up to bed. I’ll work on getting you a wardrobe to keep here.”
“What? No, don’t spend money on things I don’t need.”
Senior cleared his throat. “Um, son, you did tell her we have some money, right?”
Eli snorted. “Yes, Grandpa. But she doesn’t think about it as we might. I’ve had to punish her because she won’t stop trying to buy things or half a meal.”
The older man burst out laughing.
“I don’t see what’s wrong with that,” Kinley complained. “I make money, too.”
Senior nodded. “Yes, dear, I’m sure you do. It’s just that the type of men we are, we aren’t happy unless we pay for everything, and since Eli has plenty, let him do it.”
She sighed next to him. “All right, Senior. I’ll try.”
“That’s all we can ask.”
“She thought this place was a country club, and when I said no, she thought it was a retirement place.”
He grunted when her elbow connected with his side.
“Maybe if somebody had warned me, I wouldn’t have assumed something else.”
Eli grinned at the disgust in her tone. “You’re right. I really should have. I just didn’t want you to be nervous.”
She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. “I know you were doing it for a reason.”
He caught her trying to hide another yawn and stood, pulling her up to stand beside him.
His grandfather stood. “Good night, dear.”
“Good night, Senior.”
David followed them up the stairs. “Come this way.”
They walked into Eli’s dad’s bedroom and waited while he walked into an enormous closet.
Tears stung Eli’s eyes when he saw his father hadn’t gotten rid of any of her things. He could see himself doing the same.
He brought out a silky nightgown and handed it to Kinley. “Here you go. Would you wear this for me? I like seeing it used.”
“I would love to wear it, and I’ll be so careful with it.”
Eli pressed a kiss to her temple. He was so proud of her.
“I’ve got all her other things, and if you can use them, I’d be honored.”
Kinley looked up at Eli and waited for him to answer.
“I’ll come back when she’s showering and pick something for her to wear home. I’m shocked I didn’t think to pack her a small bag. I was so angry with Kendra, I couldn’t think about anything at the time.”
“I think you knew we’d be able to take care of her, son.”
Eli hugged his dad. “Thank you. I’ll be right back.”
“Good night, Kinley.”
“Good night, David.”