Chapter Twenty-Four | Kelsi

                                    

                                          
After an uneventful lunch, thank the goddess, Kelsi and Lee retreated to their dirt domain and began unpacking. Several townsfolk watched from the fence line as they moved from the pod to the house, but didn't dare cross onto the property. Kelsi desperately tried to ignore them, but their judgmental stares bore into the back of her head, inviting painful memories of high school. She attempted to combat the uncomfortable situation by stuffing AirPods into her ears and cranking up the music. It helped—somewhat. 
Thankfully, as night fell, the humans retreated to their cars and drove off. Kelsi watched them, sweat dripping down her brow. Was this merely a preview of the rest of their lives? She could barely wait for the town's revenue to trickle in so they could build a stockade fence or a high-security wall like the one that surrounded Clan Bloodmoon.
Sighing, she retreated to the house. Arms aching, she lay down on the kitchen floor, body wedged between boxes of pots, pans, and silverware.
Bare feet padded into the kitchen. "I think we should call it a night," Kelsi groaned, looking up to see Lee peering down at her. His black hair was tousled and there were bags under his eyes.
"I think that's a great idea." He extended his hand and pulled her to her feet.
Exhausted, Kelsi stumbled into their bedroom. They had managed to put the frame together and maneuver the mattress into place. Maybe she'd properly make the bed tomorrow, but for now, they had a couple of pillows and a comforter.
Lee disappeared into the bathroom while she grabbed her toiletry bag and an oversized T-shirt. 
"Where's the hamper?" he asked as he exited, wearing only a pair of black boxers and carrying his clothes. Kelsi straightened, eyes raking him from head to toe. Goddess, if she wasn't so tired, she'd climb him like a tree. 
Judging by Lee's tired smirk, that particular bit of information had filtered through their bond.
"You're horrible," she told him, shaking her head in amusement.
He dropped his clothes into a pile on the floor by the bed and climbed in, stretching out to showcase his abs. "What? A man can't revel in the fact his wife finds him attractive?"
Lee had her there. Who wouldn't want to climb into bed with a man whose body was chiseled perfection? "I think the hamper's in the pod," she said, her cheeks growing warm.
"Ah, well, I'll get it tomorrow."
Under different circumstances, she would have gone out to get it herself because she couldn't stand throwing clothes on the floor, but it was too damn late for that. She retreated to the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth, and change her clothes. Wearing only the oversized T-shirt and underwear, she returned to find Lee watching HGTV.
"You don't mind, do you?" he asked, pillowing his head on one arm. "I just need something to zone out to for an hour or so."
"Go ahead," she replied, dropping her clothes on a box before climbing into bed. At this point, an Amtrak could roar past the house and she wouldn't care. 
Lee hummed, then reached out to draw Kelsi toward him. She curled up on her side, pillowing her head on his shoulder, watching the TV flicker. She thought she'd had long days before, but nothing compared to today. It felt as if they'd been on the go for twenty-four hours straight.
Lee's free hand idly rubbed Kelsi's back. "I've been thinking," he began.
"Hmm?" she replied lazily, feeling her eyelids grow heavier by the second. 
"Would you be opposed to me adopting Riley?"
That wasn't what she was expecting. Her warm reverie broke and she tipped her head up to stare at him. "I'm sorry?"