Finding Haven

Chapter 15

Kendra

Sandwiches were handed out to everyone. We had plenty for Lexi to join us. She was adorable. I learned she was seven years old. She was small for her age, not much bigger than the twins. Her light green eyes sparkled in the sunlight when she laughed.

She and the twins wolfed their sandwiches down. I think they probably broke some sort of record. Then they were off, chasing around the yard again. Oh, to that kind of energy again.

I munched away on my sandwich happily. Violet ate half of hers before setting it back down and opening up her book. Amusement filled me as I watched the twins circle around and crept up on Ryan. He had no idea.

They pounced on him. I leaned forward and caught his sandwich just in time. He yelled, and they squealed, running away as fast as their little legs could take them. Lexi giggled from a far. Ryan let out a heavy breath and smiled. He lept up and chased after them.

"I'm going to get you," he proclaimed. They shrieked as they ran away. I laughed, leaning back. I jolted when I made contact with a warm chest. Feeling embarrassed, I sat forward quickly.

"Sorry," I told him. Those silver eyes ensnared me. His bright smile was all I could focus on at that moment.

"It's no problem," he replied easily. "Do they always have so much energy?"

"Oh, yes," I nodded, emphatically. "I don't understand how, but they never seem to run out. Lexi looks like she's keep up, though."

He chuckled. "There aren't many children around her age in town."

"There aren't?" I asked, looking at him. He shook his head.

"No, not too many of our younger residents have found their match and settled down," he explained. I snorted.

"Their match? Like a dating service?" I thought he would laugh with me, but his face grew more serious. Those molten eyes focused on me.

"If only it were that simple to find love," he said. I shrugged.

"I don't know if love is something you find," I thought out loud. "I think it's something you create."

"You don't believe in soulmates?" he asked. His tone was lighthearted, but those eyes barely blinked as he watched me.

"I don't not believe in them," I explained, wincing. "It would be amazing if something like that actually existed, but I don't think it would work like love at first sight or something."

"Hmm," he mused, leaning back. "How do you think it would work?"

I took a second to think it through before answering. Glancing at the kids, I made sure they were okay. Ryan was running away full speed from the pack of hooligans chasing him. It made me smile as I turned back to Andreas.

"I don't know," I said, shrugging. "If soulmates exist, I would think falling in love would be easy, or at least easier. But staying there, keeping that passion and love alive, would take work still. All relationships do."

I felt my cheeks heat as I talked. I was not, by any means, a relationship guru. In high school, I had barely talked to boys, let alone gone on dates. There were more important things.

That didn't mean that I hadn't watched romance movies and read books that made the little girl in me sigh and dream about my prince one day. I knew it was unrealistic, but sometimes when you are in an awful place, everything seems unrealistic.

"I think you are probably right," Andreas stated. "But I would amend one thing. I don't think loving you would require any work."

My mouth dropped open as my face flamed to new levels. Before I could respond, a small body crashed into me.

"Kendra, you're it!" Maddie cheered as she ran away. I sat frozen, still staring at Andreas.

"You heard her," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "You're it."

Blinking, I made myself move. I jumped to my feet, shaking my head. He didn't mean it the way it sounded. There was no way. At most, it was just a compliment. Yep, a compliment. Nothing more.

I forced myself to believe that as I chased after the kids. It didn't take long for me to tire. I dropped back down to the blanket, panting. Andreas chuckled.

"Are you okay?" I glared at him.

"I'm absolutely fine," I told him. "I could have gone for like two more hours out there."

"Right," he said, but I could tell he was just humoring me. I rolled my eyes. Man, my side hurt. When did I get this out of shape?

"So not a lot of kids. What else is there to know about this weird town?" I asked after a moment. Andreas met my gaze, his brow furrowed.

"What do you mean?"

"Come on, this town is weird," I said bluntly. "You guys are more welcoming of strangers than I think I think is smart, you have this community building but its also your home, you teach town wide karate classes in your yard, and you have pet tigers."

A deep belly laugh burst out of him. "I guess those are weird when you compare us to other towns."

"Very," I affirmed. He shrugged, motioning around.

"It's just how we are," he said. "We aren't usually welcoming of strangers, but we also have great instincts about people."

"So you just had the instinct that we were okay and so everyone was super nice to us?"

"Something like that," he replied. I shook my head.

"You know that makes this town even weirder, right?"

"I guess it does." He grunted as another small body slammed into him.

"Andy, you're it!" Max called, running away. I looked at Andreas pointedly.

"Well, you heard him," I said. "You're it."

I was proud of the laugh I could hear as he ran after the kids. I was not proud of how much longer he lasted chasing after them than I did.

As I sat there, I couldn't help but go back through his words in my head. I winced, thinking about my bluntness. I'm glad he wasn't offended. This town was amazing. I didn't want him to think we didn't appreciate the kindness we had received.

Soulmates were an interesting topic. I didn't have time to wait for mine, though. If I didn't need a prince to come and save me from the Wilsons, I don't need one now. Need differed from want, though.

To have that person, that support, always in my corner, helping me take care of the kids. It was a dream. This town had already supported us more than I could have ever expected. It was a weird town, but it was feeling more and more like... home.

For someone who had never really had one of those, it was as disconcerting as it was pleasant. I had always wanted a place to stay, a place where I felt safe and loved. Every kid wants a place like that. This town had the potential to be that place. If I was being honest with myself, it already had become that place.

But that wasn't necessarily a good thing. I couldn't forget what we were running from. If I did, it would catch us. If we got too attached to this town, leaving would be excruciating. Not just for me, either. Could I put them through that?

I made myself stop thinking about that option. It was a beautiful day. Everyone was having such a good time. Their bellies were full, and happiness surrounded them. I couldn't have asked for more. I made myself soak it all in. For however long we had it.