Colton looked at Mandy as he took off his boots. "Can I play now?"

Mandy nodded. "Yeah. Go find a place to sit."

"I'll show him where," Kip said. Colton followed Kip, leaving Mandy alone in the entryway. All she could see was neutral painted walls, like they had been painted yesterday. A light coloured hard wood floor went up three steps and around a corner. To her right was a closet. Mandy took off her boots and opened the closet. Coats. She put her and Colton's shoes inside and then worked on hanging up her jacket.

Kip returned holding Colton's coat. "Thanks," Mandy said, reaching for it. The weariness of travel and a work week hit her as she stood there.

He held it out of her reach. "I'll do it. You are my guest." He pulled her against him. "Colton told me I could kiss you, just not in front of him." He kissed her cheek.

Mandy snorted. "It's been a long week."

Kip let her go and hung the jacket. "Relax, please. I've only been living in this house for a few months. And I'm hardly ever home. That's why it looks perfect still. I wish someone would make it look lived in."

"I'll try. I just, it's so gorgeous." She touched the smooth wall tentatively.

"Did you eat?"