Reclaiming Hope by Shell Taylor

Author:Shell Taylor [Taylor, Shell]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 978-1-63477-788-9
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2016-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 15

“WHO ELSE wants turkey bacon?” Eli shouted over the general commotion in the kitchen.

“Uh… once again, no one but you eats that shit,” Kollin said as he mixed pancake batter.

“Yeah, Dad. I dunno how you eat that shit.”

Lizzie didn’t even flinch when Adam and Elijah both yelled, “Language.”

“Kollin gets to cuss,” Lizzie whined, but she continued to cut the fruit in front of her and dump it into a large bowl.

“Kollin is an adult,” Adam said and pulled a carton of eggs out of the fridge.

Apparently when Adam told Kollin Saturday-morning brunch was canceled, he meant it was postponed. Until Sunday. Which Riley found out when the clanging of pots and pans woke him early that morning.

Not that Riley minded. He actually loved the ritual and had quickly discovered that each person had a specific task, no matter what was on the menu. Lizzie nearly always cut up fruit. Kollin made the pancakes or waffles. Elijah was in charge of the breakfast meat, and Adam handled the eggs. The feeling of family and love that settled in the kitchen every Saturday was almost unbearable sometimes.

From day one they’d all taken every opportunity to make Riley feel welcome, but he still felt like an outsider when he sat there watching everyone work. The only job he’d claimed as his own was setting the table, and that took all of fifteen seconds. He once persuaded them to let him wash the dishes, but since they normally rinsed and stuck everything in the dishwasher as they cooked, he just ended up in the way.

Riley watched Elijah lean into Adam and whisper something in his ear that made Adam’s cheeks turn pink. It was almost sickening how perfect their family was.

“Hey, Ri,” Kollin said. “You want to make us a couple of sandwiches so we can head out as soon as breakfast is over?”

“Sure,” Riley agreed quickly, grateful for the busy work.

Kollin winked. “Whatever kind you want to make is fine with me.”

After spending most of the day before doing their own things, which for Riley equaled rotating between watching TV and lifting weights, Kollin suggested they spend Sunday afternoon hiking. Riley jumped at the chance to get out of the house and to spend time with Kollin doing something familiar.

“Where are you going?” Elijah asked.

Kollin shrugged. “I thought maybe we’d go to Umstead Park, since they have so many different trails.”

“Ooh,” Lizzie squealed. “Can I go too?”

“No,” Kollin said. “And don’t even try to pull ‘the face’ on me. I taught you that, and it won’t work.”

“But why can’t I go?” Lizzie whined.

“Because Riley and I want to be alone. One with nature and all that shi—crap.”

“All you two ever do is be alone, anymore,” Lizzie said. She stuck out her bottom lip and crossed her arms. “You haven’t done anything with me in forever.”

Kollin frowned and looked at Lizzie. “I’m sorry, Liz. You’re right.” He placed his spatula down and leaned against the counter next to her. “I really need to

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