Even as an adult, she found Leland Burns’ tone intimidating. For a child, it was downright terrifying.
Winifred Dawson already harbored resentment toward Leland Burns, and now it flared even hotter. She turned to him sharply. “Why are you shouting like that? You scared him. Can’t you just speak normally?”
Leland Burns was momentarily stunned. The woman who had just been afraid of him was now daring to snap at him? He almost laughed. “Are they your kids? Why defend them so fiercely?”
Winifred frowned, unsure what nonsense Leland was spouting now. Of course, the children weren’t hers, but she felt an inexplicable fondness for them. Maybe it was their sweet faces and charming manners-who wouldn’t adore such well-behaved, beautiful children?
Wayne Burns hated it when his parents argued. His small hand quickly clutched Winifred’s. “There’s just sand in my eyes, that’s why they’re red. Auntie, please don’t fight with Daddy, okay?”
If a real argument broke out, Leland Burns rarely bothered with words. His temper-and his hands-did the talking. She was too afraid of him to even consider arguing.
Only now did Winifred realize what she’d just done. She had raised her voice at Leland Burns. For these two children, she had momentarily forgotten her fear of him.
For a moment, she was speechless.
Wayne smoothly changed the subject. “Aunt Winifred, guess which of us is the older brother and which is the younger?” He blinked up at her.
“Hmm, let me think.”
The boys looked the same age, and their appearances offered no clues. Clearly fraternal twins, they shared no striking resemblance, but both were exquisitely beautiful-like delicate porcelain dolls. The longer she looked, the more familiar they seemed.
They stood quietly before her, one outgoing, the other reserved.
Leland had only told her their names, never showing her photos.
Winifred gave Wayne’s cheek a gentle pinch. “I’m guessing you’re Wayne Burns, the older brother.”
“Wow, Mom-Aunt Winifred is so smart!” He barely caught himself before calling her “Mom.”
Winifred didn’t notice the slip. She turned to Shawn Burns, who clung tightly to his brother’s hand, his smile shy. He couldn’t quite meet her eyes, yet his gaze kept darting toward her.
There was longing in those small eyes-he wanted her to straighten his clothes, to talk to him, to hold him.
Winifred had more patience for the quiet ones. Maybe it reminded her of herself before the surgeries.
“You must be Shawn Burns. You’re so adorable.” She lightly touched his head. The boy flushed instantly.
He gave a soft “Mm,” his eyes sparkling with barely contained joy.
Wayne spoke up for his brother. “Aunt Winifred, he’s just a little shy-”
Before he could finish, Shawn suddenly let go of his hand and rushed straight into Winifred’s arms.
Wayne had been about to explain his brother’s shyness-only to watch him throw himself at their mother, wrapping his arms around her neck and planting a kiss on her cheek.
This… Wayne was stunned. His brother was full of surprises. Usually so timid he couldn’t even look at her, yet now he’d charged forward like a seasoned pro. He’d kissed her before Wayne even got the chance!
Behind them, Leland Burns was equally surprised. His youngest son had just done what he’d always wanted-kissed Winifred Dawson on their first meeting.
But no one was more shocked than Winifred herself. The sweet, milky scent of the child filled her arms before she could react. His soft lips pressed against her cheek in a tender, fleeting kiss.
Shawn pulled back slightly but kept holding her. Winifred’s heart melted. Still crouched, she leaned into his touch, one hand supporting his back.
After a moment, Shawn let go. His large, clear eyes blinked up at her, his long lashes fluttering like they brushed against her heart-leaving it tingling.
In a small voice, he said, “I really like you. Will you stay with me forever?”
Faced with those innocent eyes, Winifred nodded almost unconsciously. “Yes, I’ll stay with you.”
“Yay!” Wayne cheered beside them, bouncing on his short legs like a rabbit. He grabbed Shawn’s hand, grinning. “Little brother, she promised to stay with us forever!”
Forever? Only Leland knew the truth. Winifred was just humoring them. She was good at lying-even to children.
…
She would stay, yes. For a hundred days, at most. But not forever. Winifred hadn’t said “forever,” so she didn’t consider it a lie. Yet as she watched the boys leap with joy over her words, a dull ache spread through her chest.
Each boy took one of her hands. “Auntie, let us show you our new house! Daddy worked hard on it for a long time.”