Chapter 89 A Good Woman
Chapter 89 A Good Woman
“Deal,” Aiden said, giving her a big thumbs up.
Freya grinned and raised her thumb to meet his. Thumb to thumb–deal sealed.
She bought a bunch of vegetables and fruit, grabbed a few seasonings, and finished off with a small crate of milk. It was a decent haul, and the snacks she’d snuck in were well hidden at the bottom.
Louis didn’t pay much attention to what exactly she bought. When it was time to check out, Aiden tugged him away to wait outside. Once Freya came out, Louis naturally reached for her bags. When he reached for the milk as well, Freya waved him off, so he didn’t insist. The three of them headed home, their arms full of groceries.
Louis had originally suggested eating out for dinner, but Freya didn’t think that was a good idea. Things weren’t like before- money wasn’t flowing freely anymore, and the food at the average restaurant they could now afford was greasy and heavy. Adults could handle it, but kids? Not so much. Aiden had already had McDonald’s for lunch; piling on more greasy food would just upset his stomach.
“I’m not that delicate, you know,” Aiden grumbled, clearly not thrilled that Freya underestimated him.
Freya stood firm, tapping him lightly on the head. “McDonald’s is junk food. Not much nutrition there. If I let you have another heavy meal tonight, you’ll end up with a stomachache. Be good. What, is my cooking really so bad you don’t want it?”
“That’s not what I meant! Your food’s great. I just didn’t want you to get tired.”
“Don’t worry, I’m an adult. I don’t tire that easily. Go on, go play. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.” She gave Louis a nod and quickly slipped off to the kitchen with the groceries.
Louis reached out and grabbed Aiden by the back of his collar. “Let’s go. You’ve played enough for one day–time to hit the books.”
Aiden immediately went limp like a cat being picked up by the scruff, resigned and floppy, looking equal parts helpless and obedient.
Dinner was a hearty spread, and Aiden ate to his heart’s content. He was used to Freya’s home cooking by now. Sure, it wasn’t as refined as what a five–star chef might make, but it had that unmistakable warmth of home. He loved it. He snuck a glance at Louis and noticed he was eating quite a bit, too. Aiden quietly thought to himself–his uncle might be getting used to Freya’s cooking as well.
He’d noticed it long ago: Louis treated Freya differently than he did other women. Sure, he wasn’t exactly warm, but at least he was respectful. With other women, Louis’s polite indifference had sharp edges. Anyone who tried to get too close would be met with an icy wall that made retreat the only option. That kind of silent, stinging coldness? Louis had mastered it.
But with Freya? He wasn’t warm, but he was careful with the little things. Considerate, even. That alone was hard to imagine before.
Aiden thought about it and felt that, honestly, if Louis did fall for Freya, it wouldn’t be such a bad thing. His parents had once told him: If a woman sticks by you when times are hard, she’s worth cherishing for life.
And Freya–she had never once left Louis’s side.
He liked Freya too. If she could be his aunt for the rest of his life, he’d be more than happy with that.
