Page 57 of Loving Kai

Kai looked up at him, then let go and backed up. His face clouded over, and he went to Abe and hid his face in Abe’s leg as he started crying.

Abe picked him up and looked at Luke. “Scaring my kid, huh?”

“Me? I didn’t do anything.”

Abe rubbed Kai’s back. “Uncle Luke isn’t so bad once you get to know him.”

After a few moments, Kai stopped crying and looked at Luke. Luke made a funny face at him, and Kai giggled, then hid his face on Abe’s shoulder.

Luke nodded. “See, he likes me. He was just confused for a moment.”

Allie came up to them. “Dinner is ready. Put Kai back in his chair.”

Abe looked at the highchair for a moment. “So, just set him in there?”

“Set him down, strap him in, then attach the tray.”

Luke nudged him. “Yeah, dummy.”

Allie handed Luke a plate with a roast on it. “Put this on the table, then sit down and be nice to your brother.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Abe successfully put Kai in the chair, then sat down next to him. Allie and John sat down, then Allie smiled at John.

“I think a prayer is in order tonight, John. We’ve got a lot to be thankful for.”

Abe glanced at Kai, who smiled and reached for his arm. His little hand felt warm on Abe’s skin, and he reached down and put his hand over Kai’s as John began the prayer.

After dinner, Abe realized he’d left his phone at his house. He knew exactly where it was. It was charging on the kitchen counter. When his mother had told him to pack a bag, he’d gone to his room. Getting the phone never occurred to him. He borrowed Luke’s phone, then spent thirty minutes on a conference call with Wes, Milo, and Gentry. His brothers took the news pretty well, given how shocking it was, and they all offered their support and help if needed. Gentry told him to take tomorrow off to give him time to adjust and let everything sink in. Abe promised he’d think about it.

When he returned to the living room, Luke was down on the floor with Kai, playing with some old Hot Wheels cars. Luke glanced up at him with a smile.

“I won him over with cars.”

“I guess that proves he’s a Buchanan.”

Luke lost his smile. “What if he’s not?”

“What do you mean?”

“What if the paternity test comes back negative or whatever?”

“If I thought that was going to happen, I wouldn’t have told everyone about him.”

“So, you’re sure?”

Abe sat on the couch. “Pretty damn sure, yeah.”

“But what if…?”

“Dammit, Luke.”

“Sorry.”

Allie came into the room. “Well, this brings back memories. Gentry’s boys aren’t really into Hot Wheels.”

Abe nodded. “Right. They’re Lego men.”