SWNOVELS Chapter My CEO 351
351 Getting to Know Viktor (Winona)
The moment we step into the backyard, I feel a shift. It's not a yard. It's like a private wooded area with beautiful clearings. The air smells fresher here, I swear
I grab Henry from his pram and carry him the rest of the way.
The other kids are already ahead of us, their laughter carrying through the overgrown garden. I follow behind, taking it all in. I just love it.
"How much land is in the backyard?" It seems to go on forever.
"Ten hectares I believe."
"It's as much a backyard as this house is a cottage."
Viktor smiles at me. "That's Gus."
Out in the open clearing, the first thing I notice is the tree. It's massive, towering over the garden, with thick branches stretching wide. Hanging from one of those branches are not one, but two wooden swings, swaying gently in the breeze. Both are weathered.
"Look, Mommy! Swings!" Sarah calls out, her face lighting up as she rushes toward them, Abby right behind her.
"Wait for Viktor to check them first," I call out, my mom mode kicking in.
Viktor's already ahead, walking over to inspect the swings. He gives the ropes a good tug, testing their strength, then sits down himself on one of them.
He swings back and forth a couple of times, grinning. These are way too dangerous for you kids."
He grins and swings higher.
"But you are bigger than us." Sarah points out.
"I don't think that's true, Sarah. No, sorry. I have to test them a bit longer."
Viktor pushes off with his feet, really going for it, soaring higher than I expected, the girls watching him. with wide eyes.
"Our turn!" Sarah squeals as she gives a huge belly laugh.
Viktor laughs, leaning back, legs outstretched as he picks up speed.
"Viktor! Our turn!" Abby joins in laughing.
Viktor jumps off mid-swing, landing with ease. "Jump on!"
They both clamber on a swing each.
I glance at Henry and his eyes are scanning around. I wonder how much he can actually see?
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351 Getting to Know Viktor
"Hold on tight!" Viktor warns. "We're going high."
I can't help but laugh as I watch him, swinging the girls higher and higher, their laughter filling the space. I wish it was Jayden here, joining in, instead of dealing with work.
"Wow! Mom, look at this rock wall! It's huge!" Bobby calls out from behind the tree.
I go around.
Bobby doesn't even wait for a response before he's scaling the wall, moving from one grip to the next. My heart skips a beat as he climbs higher, but Viktor's already watching closely, his eyes tracking Bobby's every move.
"Not too high until we know it's safe," I call out, feeling that nervous mom tug, but Bobby's face is lit up
with determination.
He reaches halfway, pausing for a moment to take it all in. "This is awesome!" he shouts down, a rare smile breaking across his face.
"Great job, Bobby!" I yell back, my own smile growing. It's good to see him like this. He's been so closed off lately.
He starts back down and I give a sigh of relief.
"I'm going to explore the bushes a bit more." Bobby is looking around everywhere..
"Okay. Don't wander too far."
Suddenly I'm starving hungry. "Let's set up the picnic."
Viktor spreads the heavy picnic rug.
I lay Henry on it and sit beside him. The sun is quite warm still.
"Girls, are you hungry?"
"Yes!" They both say together.
"Come on."
"Bobby," I call out. "Picnic time!" His teen boy appetite I expect him to come running.
But instead I see him walking around the swings, holding something furry.
He turns, his hands towards me. I see he's gently cradling a black and white kitten, its wide yellow eyes blinking down at me.
"I found him under the bushes," Bobby says softly, stroking the kitten's fur. "He's so little."
The kitten lets out a soft mew, snuggling closer into Bobby's arms, clearly content. It's a side of Bobby! don't see often-the gentle, caring side. I watch as he holds the kitten close, his expression soft. He's always so nervous to get close to anything small,
"Maybe he's lost," I suggest, but there's no sign of any other cats around. "Did you look for others. A mother cat perhaps?"
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351 Getting to Know Viktor
"I did. He was there alone."
"Well, maybe we'll keep an eye out while we're here."
"Can I keep him, Mom? Please?" Bobby pleads, his eyes hopeful.
I hesitate for a moment, thinking it through.
"We'll check with Jayden," I say, smiling at Bobby. "But we have to look for an owner before we decide. No promises yet and no complaining if he already has a home. Deal?" "Deal."
Bobby's face lights up. "Thanks," he says, holding the kitten closer, like it's the most precious thing in the world.
"You need to put it somewhere while we eat."
He slips it into the hood of his sweater.
Okay then.
"Pets are a big responsibility. Especially young ones. You can't get sick of it later. If you get to keep it.'
"I won't, I promise."
The words come easy but will the action?
"Kids sometimes surprise you. Every single animal we have at the family farm is cared for by the non- adult members, as far as feeding and cleaning routine."
look at him. Surprised he's picked up on my thoughts so easily. "That's pretty amazing."
"Sometimes responsibility and the chance to fail is exactly what they need. Clean up their own messes, so to speak."
I nod. "It might be worth a try. Bobby has never really shown much affection. He's had a tough go of it before we adopted him."
"Even more reason to show him you believe in him."
T'll talk to Jayden."
I like Viktor. I like him a lot. He really gets the whole family dynamic.
"Thanks, Viktor."
"My job is to take care of this family. I take that very seriously."
"Jayden appreciates you being around. Now I do too."