The tightness in my chest abated at that first glimpse of a smile from Lyla, and I started inside. “The kitchen’s stocked, so we should have everything we need for cookies. But if we’re missing anything, there’s a list on the counter by the fridge. If you add something to that, Jessie, my housekeeper, will pick it up at the store.”

“That doesn’t mean you can put twelve kinds of candy on the list,” Anna warned.

Justin threw up his hands. “Aw, Anna. Why’d you have to go and ruin it?”

“So you don’t end up in a diabetic coma. That’s why.”

Sounded like Justin was going to be my partner in crime for both pizza and sugar. I bent down and whispered to him, “I’ve got your back.”

“Heard that,” Anna called.

Justin shook his head. “She’s got ears like a freaking bat.”

We made our way through the large mudroom. “You guys can each claim a cubby to put your school stuff in if you want. And there’s plenty of room for muddy shoes when the weather turns.”

Lyla looked up at Anna. “Will there be enough snow for sledding?”

“You bet.”

I mentally added sleds and tubes to a list of things I’d need to get. That list was growing by the second. I’d already given my credit card a workout, but damn, it had been a blast. As much as I’d looked out for Juliette growing up, I hadn’t started to make real money until I sold my first video game on a lark. So being able to spoil these kids was too much fun.

“How about a tour?” I asked.

Anna kept an arm around Lyla but gave me a shaky smile. “That would be great.”

She didn’t even know her way around the house yet. Hopefully, that wouldn’t be evident to the kids. I led them into the kitchen where Lyla gasped. “You have a pool?”

“I do. And a hot tub.”

It had been so dark when Anna had been here the one time before, she probably hadn’t seen it, either. And the idea of her laying out there in her bikini wasn’t exactly unappealing. I guided our crew through the lower level of the living space, including the library and my office. We made a quick trip down to the basement so I could show them the gym and the screening room.

“Definitely need a movie night,” Justin muttered.

“Anytime you want,” I offered.