She hated putting that disappointed expression on Luke’s rugged face. The boys’ faces matched his. But she couldn’t go against her promise to Margaret. “We’ll come back and see Luke every day before we go home. I promise.”

Luke leaned on his forearms on the counter in front of the boys. “Your mom and I . . . We really like each other. In fact, I love her. And I want us to be a family.”

Jack sat back. “What does that mean?”

“Well, your mom and I have a lot to talk about and work out, but eventually, someday soon, I hope that you will all live here with me. How would you guys feel about that?”

Jack linked his fingers together in his lap and nervously kicked his feet back and forth. “Do you mean all the time?”

“That’s right.”

“What about our house?” Jack looked to her to answer that.

“The house is still ours, sweetheart. We aren’t moving immediately. Like Luke said, someday soon.” She turned her gaze to Luke. “There’s still so much you don’t know . . . things I need to tell you. About Sean. My life. The company.”

“We will talk about all of it,” Luke assured her before turning back to the boys. “Your mom and I just want to know if you guys would like living here with me.”

“Yeah, I guess that would be okay.” Jack shrugged.

“I guess so.” Nick responded with more enthusiasm.

Sarah assumed Nick’s enthusiasm was partly because of Luke, and partly because of the horses and kitties in the barn. Jack’s approval seemed more hesitant. She’d talk to them more about the future she wanted with Luke and all of them being a family and what that would look like.

She stood, kissed both boys on the head, put her dish and silverware in the dishwasher, while the boys plied Luke with a dozen questions about making the rooms upstairs theirs. She found their constant chatter endearing, especially since it showed how much the boys loved Luke’s attention.

Sarah had finally gotten a good look at the house. The great room was her favorite. The white walls with the wood floor and ceiling with the chunky beams made the room so cozy and inviting.

“Luke, I really love the house. This kitchen is amazing.” She loved the big dark gray island with the white quartz countertops. The farmhouse sink was charming and went with the white Craftsman-style cabinets.

“I had the place redecorated several months ago. I’m glad you like it. I hope you’ll be comfortable here, but if there’s something you don’t like, we can change it. Anything you want, I’ll make it happen.”

She smiled at him, her heart expanding with an abundance of love. “It’s perfect.” They’d be really happy here.

“I hope my family thinks so, too. They’re coming for dinner Sunday night for our monthly get-together. I want you and the boys to join us.” Luke wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. “Please say you’ll come. I want you to meet them. I want everyone to see us together and how happy we are.”