ASTRID WHISKED THE melted chocolate into the butter and sugar but her mind was elsewhere. She’d replayed the morning over and over, looking for something that might explain what had happened. Charlie. Her chest hurt. Finding him in the dining room—gasping for breath, shaking and clinging to the table—she had panicked. Her first thought was he’d been stung and was having an allergic reaction. But once the suit hood was off and she could see his beautiful face, she knew it was something else. There’d been no trace of the controlled and emotionless mask Charlie wore so often. There’d been anguish. Bone-deep and all-encompassing. It had ripped her heart wide-open.
Even hours later, she could still feel the desperation of his touch. He’d held her against him with such ferocity she’d been stunned into silence. What did he need? What could she do?
He’d admitted he liked her touch, so slow, soothing caresses made sense. The inane chatter was to distract him from whatever internal torment he was battling. She had no idea what she’d said—that part wasn’t important. What mattered was that, in time, his shaking stopped and his desperation eased.
“Don’t forget the eggs.” Aunt Camellia placed a hand on her arm.
Astrid smiled her thanks. She whisked in the eggs and flour and poured the batter into a greased sheet cake pan, her mind returning to Charlie. He’d seemed himself when she’d left but she couldn’t entirely shake off her concern. Dinner was soon and he’d be here. And since Halley had mentioned he liked brownies, there would be homemade brownies waiting for him.
“I’ll wash up.” Camellia took the whisk and bowl.
“I’ll prewash that spoon.” Nicole reached for the wooden spoon covered in brownie batter.
“There are uncooked eggs in that, Nicole.” Aunt Camellia shook her head as Nicole took a big lick. “Don’t blame me if you get a stomachache.”
“I won’t.” She smiled. “But, yum, it’ll be worth it.”
“What is it?” Nova’s question had them all glancing across the kitchen. For the last hour, Nova and Ginger, Nicole’s six-year-old cousin, had been quietly coloring in one of Nova’s dinosaur coloring books. Now Van Kettner lowered himself onto the kitchen floor between the girls—a box in his hands. “We got this in our shipment today and I thought you might have some fun with them. It’s a whole set of jungle animals.” He opened the box.
Nova and Ginger gathered around him to ooh and aah over the contents of the box.
“Isn’t he the most precious man?” Aunt Camellia leaned closer to Astrid, hugging the unwashed whisk to her chest. “I love him, dearly.”
“I know. You’re pretty precious, too, Aunt Camellia. You two were made for one another.” Astrid pointed at her aunt’s apron.
Aunt Camellia glanced down at the brownie-batter-whisk imprint on her apron. “Land sakes.” She laughed. “Oh, well, that’s what aprons are for.”
“It’s really delicious, Astrid.” Nicole sat on the opposite kitchen counter, licking the last of the brownie batter off the spoon. “And thanks, again, for letting me bring Ginger over.” She whispered, “I don’t know what to do with her.”
“She and Nova are fast becoming two peas in a pod.” Astrid grinned as Van arranged the animals in a line.
Nova took the two lions and handed one to Ginger. “Rawr!” Nova moved the plastic lion across the sunlit patch of tile floor. “Like that, Ginger.”
Ginger held the other plastic lion toy. She was about Nova’s age but shy. Astrid suspected the little girl was likely struggling with her new surroundings, too. “Rawr?”
“But louder.” Nova nodded. “’Cause lions are the king of the jungle.”
“Rawr!” Ginger tried again.
Nova nodded. “I bet Beeswax and Jammie will want to play with them.” She hopped up. “Come on.”
Ginger stood. “Who are Beeswax and Jammie?”
“The cats. Lions are cats, too.” She took Ginger’s hand and led her from the room.
“Be nice to my kitties,” Aunt Camellia called after them.
“Promise, Aunt Camellia,” Nova called back.
“That Nova is a cutie.” Aunt Camellia slid the pan of brownies into the oven, then went to offer her hand to Van. “And you. You are the sweetest man to bring them new toys.”
He stood and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing. It’s thoughtful. You are thoughtful.” She patted his chest.
“Everywhere I turn, it’s a lovefest. Tansy and Dane. Your aunt and Van. Leif and Kerrielynn.” Nicole stopped and looked pointedly at her. “You and...”
“Nicole.” Astrid shook her head.
“What, I was going to say this brownie batter.” Nicole pointed at her with the wooden spoon. “Let me guess, you thought I was going to say you and your moody neighbor?”
Astrid laughed, then scrambled to redirect the conversation. “How long will Ginger be staying with you?”
“Ugh. I have no idea.” Nicole sighed. “I mean, I’m happy she’s here. I am. But having Child Protective Services show up on my front porch bright and early with her was kind of a major surprise.”
“I can imagine.” Astrid squeezed her friend’s hand. “I’m sure your cousin appreciates it.”
“I am better than a foster home.” Nicole shrugged. “I can’t imagine, you know? Poor thing was scared enough. It’s been so long since we’ve seen each other, she barely remembers me. And Benji’s been such a help.”
“You’ve raised a fine young man, Nicole.” Van pulled a Dutch oven from one of the lower cabinets and started collecting spices.
“I can’t thank you enough for sponsoring him, Van. I have to hug you.” She slipped off the counter to hug him. “When he learned he could go to camp, he was over the moon. I’ve never seen him that excited. Not even on Christmas morning.”
“My pleasure.” Van patted her back, then turned to the spice cabinet. “He’s earned it.”
Nicole nodded. “He is a hard worker, that’s for sure.”
“Like his momma.” Aunt Camellia watched Van pull spice jars out with a growing smile. “Now, Van, are you sure you don’t need my help with dinner? You’ve been on your feet working all day.”
“I imagine you’ve been doing the same, Camellia Ann.” He winked at her. “I wouldn’t have offered if I didn’t want to. But I’ll let you keep me company.”
“If you think I’m leaving you alone in my kitchen, you’ve got another think coming.” Aunt Camellia giggled when Van pulled her into an embrace.
“That’s our cue to vacate the premises.” Astrid grabbed her and Nicole’s glasses of lemonade. “Porch?”
“Lead the way.” Nicole followed her out onto the wide, wrap-around porch. They sat side by side on the bench swing, arranging the pile of pillows until they were both comfortable.
“I need to thank Shelby again for that whole sponsorship idea.” Nicole took a sip of her lemonade. “She’s pretty cool. Things still good there?”
Astrid nodded, her gaze sweeping the property. “Great, really.” It was nice to see how the grass and trees had perked up from the rain. Bits of green speckled the otherwise waving wheat-colored grasses.
“Has Rosemary met her yet?” Nicole pulled her knees up.
“Online—Facetime and that sort of thing.” Astrid lifted her arm so Jammie the cat could jump into her lap. “Hopefully, Rosemary will get a chance to visit. Soon.” She missed her sister so much.
“I’m sure she misses you.” Nicole patted her leg. “And wants you to be happy. I can only imagine how nice that must be.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want to bring the mood down but... Astrid, I just don’t get Willadeene.”
“What did she do now?” Astrid braced herself.
“Besides telling me that Ginger would be better off in foster care?”
“Nicole.” Astrid shook her head, horrified. “That’s just mean.”
“She’s mad. And when she’s mad, she gets mean. I have a feeling she’s going to keep it up until I agree to sell the shop.” She tucked a strand of her lime-green hair back behind her ear.
Astrid stroked along Jammie’s back. “Surely, she can understand why you’re conflicted about selling. It was your grandmother’s shop. Her own mother’s shop.”
“You’d think, wouldn’t you? I’ve tried to explain that to her. Several times.” Nicole sat forward, propping her elbows on her knees. “But it is a good offer. Like, a lot of money. I didn’t want to look but... I did. Even split, it’s a lot. I’ve got to give it to them, these Stinson Properties folk aren’t playing games.”
“They’re persistent. Aunt Camellia has thrown a dozen or more of their business cards and notes in the trash. She says they’re just harassing us at this point.” Astrid shook her head. “Do you know what they want to do with the place? I know they’ve been making offers all over town.” Ever since those men had stumbled onto Rebecca’s property, Stinson Properties had left a bad taste in her mouth.
“No.” Nicole sighed. “That’s the only reason I’m not jumping on the offer. I don’t want some General Dollar or Express Grocer’s chain store going in.”
“I’m pretty sure city council wouldn’t let that happen, Nic.” But, then again, if Stinson Properties had really deep pockets, there was no guarantee. “Take time and really think about it. I don’t want you to have any regrets.”
“Exactly.” Nicole smiled.
About then, the loud rumble of Rebecca Wallace’s car could be heard. Charlie was coming. Astrid glanced toward the long drive. No car yet.
“Is Charlie here?” Nova peeked around the screen door. “I thought I heard his car.”
Astrid leaned forward and shielded her eyes. “Not yet.”
“Okay.” She disappeared.
“Speaking of regrets. Tansy says you’re officially crushing on Mr. Tall Dark and Moody.”
Astrid blinked. “What? I’m not crushing on anyone.” Which wasn’t true. “What did Tansy say?”
“Only that she’s never seen you like this with a man before.” Nicole shrugged.
That was true.
“I guess I’ll have to judge for myself at dinner. Aunt Camellia invited us to stay.” She grinned. “He’s been having dinner here since his AC died, right?”
“It’s being repaired right now.” Did that mean there’d be no more dinners together? No more time with Nova and Halley? “And how did we get here from regrets? You said, ‘speaking of regrets.’”
“You know, you might regret it if you don’t jump his bones.” Nicole cocked her head to one side.
“Nicole.” Astrid could only stare at her. “I mean... Nicole.” She was not having this conversation with her.
Nicole couldn’t stop laughing. “Oh, your face.” She laughed even harder when Charlie’s car came around the bend. “Look who’s here.”
Nicole was her dear friend but she wasn’t averse to a good piece of gossip now and then. As much as she’d like to think Nicole would never spread gossip about her, she didn’t want to risk it. Especially since Charlie was as...skittish as he was.
“Charlie.” Nova ran onto the front porch, Ginger trailing behind her.
“Who’s that?” Ginger asked, standing behind one of the large wicker porch chairs.
“Charlie is my dad.” Nova was bouncing on the balls of her feet. “He’s kinda grumpy but he’s really sad.”
Astrid watched as Charlie parked the car, got out and headed their way. He wore his usual, pressed slacks and a crisply ironed button-down shirt. Beekeeper’s suit or business attire, he took her breath away.
“Why is he sad?” Nicole asked, glancing at Astrid.
“He gets sad lots—since Momma died.” Nova’s little face almost broke Astrid’s heart. “Me, too.”
“I know you miss her, Nova.” Astrid moved the cat into Nicole’s lap and slid off the swing. She held her arms out and Nova ran into them, hugging her tightly. “I miss my mom, too. I bet we always will. When I get really sad, I try to remember all the people around me that love me and want me to be happy.”
Nova smiled up at her. “Now I have lots of those. Like you. You and Aunt Camellilla and Aunt Mags and Tansy and everyone.”
“That’s right.” Astrid nodded. “Everyone.”
“What’s wrong?” Charlie asked as he came up the porch steps. He glanced from Nova to her and back again.
“Hi, Charlie.” Nova skipped over to him and took his hand. “We were talking about Momma. Astrid misses her mom, too.”
Charlie hesitated, then nodded. “It’s good to talk about her.” He scooped her up. “She loves you. And she’s watching over you.”
“In the stars.” Nova hugged Scorpio close.
Charlie nodded.
“Oh, Charlie, Charlie.” She wriggled until he put her down. “I have a new friend.” She spun around, searching.
Ginger was crouching behind the chair.
“Ginger.” Nova marched over, took the girl’s hand and dragged her back to Charlie. “This is Charlie.”
Ginger used Nova as a shield. “Hi, Nova’s dad.”
“Hello, Ginger.” Charlie waved.
“We’re gonna go play.” Nova tugged Ginger back into the house, the screen door slamming behind them.
“And who is Ginger?” Charlie asked, his hands shoved into his pockets.
“My niece.” Nicole shook her head. “Well, she’s actually my cousin’s daughter but it’s easier to just say niece.”
“She’s staying with Nicole and Benji for a while.” Astrid waffled between returning to the swing with Nicole or sitting on the empty love seat in the hopes he’d sit beside her.
“What’s Halley up to?” He shifted from foot to foot, looking everywhere but at her.
“She went on a walk with Benji.” Nicole scratched Jammie’s head, oblivious to Charlie’s reaction.
He went rigid, the muscle in his jaw working. “When?”
“They headed out with Aunt Mags, Shelby and Bea about an hour ago.” Astrid knew how protective he was of the girls and hoped having adults along would put his mind at ease. “She really adores baby Bea.” She sat on the love seat.
Charlie’s posture was still stiff but he didn’t look ready to leap off the porch and hunt them down.
“Miss Nicole.” Nova peered around the screen door. “Ginger is crying.”
Nicole popped up. “I’ll check on her. Thank you, sweetie.” She disappeared inside.
Nova ran across the porch and sat on the love seat beside Astrid. “Ginger was really sad. Do you think she’s missing her mom, too?”
“Maybe. I’m sure Nicole can cheer her up.” At least, Astrid hoped she could. Without knowing the specifics of Ginger’s homelife, it was hard to know what the little girl was dealing with. At the very least, she would be homesick.
Charlie sat beside his daughter. “Have a good day?”
Nova bounced her feet against the love seat. “Yep. Van brought animal toys.” She pulled a plastic zebra from her pocket. “And I went with Aunt Mags and Aunt Camellilla to feed the donkeys. One is itty-bitty.” She held up her thumb and forefinger. “Like this.”
“That small?” Charlie held up her hand for a closer look.
“Maybe.” Nova giggled. “They like crunchy carrots. I do, too.”
“Next time, take some apples. They love apples.” Astrid held her hand out with the palm up. “Did you feed them like this?”
“I didn’t. I watched. Can you come, Charlie? They’re so cute.” Nova waited for his nod. “And Astrid can bring the apples so they will really like you.”
“I can use all the help I can get.” Charlie sighed, shooting a look Astrid’s way.
She shook her head and smiled at him. “I’m sure they’ll like you, apples or no apples.” He might not see the progress he was making with his girls, but she did. And, more importantly, the girls did. “What’s the news on the air-conditioning? Good news, I hope?”
“They fixed it.” Charlie draped an arm along the back of the love seat, his hand resting at the base of her neck. The brush of his fingers on her skin sent a toe-curling shudder down her back.
“Are you cold, Astrid?” Nova handed Charlie the zebra and slipped her arms around her. “I’ll hug you till you’re warm.”
“Oh, thank you.” Astrid hugged her back. “You give such good hugs.”
Nova stayed against her, her little arms twined around her. “If the air ’ditioner is fixed, do we have to sleep in our rooms again?”
Astrid picked up on the little girl’s apprehension and, from the look on Charlie’s face, he did, too.
“You don’t want to be back in a real bed?” Charlie made the zebra run down Nova’s arm.
She shook her head.
“Why not?” Astrid asked. As always, Nova’s ponytail was off-center. Astrid slid the hair tie free and finger-combed the riot of curls back into place. She double-twisted the ponytail to secure it—and looked up to find Charlie watching her.
Every inch of Astrid went warm and tingly.
“The rat monster didn’t come to Charlie’s office.” Nova leaned further into Astrid. “Only in my room.” She buried her face in Astrid’s side. “It’s scary.”
Astrid hugged her even tighter. Nova was truly scared. “When I was little, my sister Rosemary had a gerbil named Mr. Fluff. It’s sort of like a rat—only cute. One night, he got out of his cage. I didn’t know that he was out so when I woke up to scratching under my bed, I was too scared to do anything but hide under my covers.”
“You didn’t get help?” Nova was wide-eyed. “Aunt Magnolia would save you.” She looked around the porch then whispered, “She’s sorta scary, too.”
“She can be.” Astrid laughed. “But I was too scared to get out of my bed. I didn’t know what was underneath it and Aunt Magnolia’s and Aunt Camellia’s rooms were all the way at the other end of the hall. I didn’t wake up my sisters because I didn’t want them to be scared, too.” She shrugged. “I waited all night and didn’t get a wink of sleep. The next morning, Rosemary came into my room crying. She couldn’t find Mr. Fluff anywhere. And then I realized who was under my bed. I leaned over, lifted up the quilt, and Mr. Fluff came scurrying out. I guess he was scared, too, and wanted to hide until Rosemary could find him.”
“Poor Mr. Fluff.” Nova shook her head. “Do you think my rat monster is a gerbrill?”
“Gerbil,” Charlie murmured.
Nova nodded. “A grebirl.”
“Probably not.” Astrid shook her head. “But I don’t think it’s a monster.”
“But it comes at night. Monsters come at night.” Nova glanced up at her. “It’s real dark and scratches on the sky window. Like this.” She scratched on one of the pillows. “Over and over.” She sat up then. “Astrid, you should come and see. It’s real. It’s really real. You can sleep in my bed and it won’t be as scary.”
Astrid was more than willing to solve the rat monster problem. Spending the night with the girls was an added perk. But it was Charlie’s call and she’d respect his decision.
“Astrid, would you be available to help us with our rat monster problem?” Charlie asked, his smile absolutely devastating.
“Please, please, please.” Nova bounced on the love seat.
“I am available. I’ll make sure to bring my rat monster hunting gear. And pajamas.” She gave Nova a high five.
“I’m going to tell Ginger.” Nova leaped off the love seat and ran inside.
Without Nova between them, Astrid found herself scooching just a tiny bit closer to Charlie. He did the same—until his thigh rested against hers. She drew in a deep breath. He sighed. As tempted as she was to rest her head on his shoulder, she was content to be as they were. Together. Enjoying the sunset, his fingers running through her hair, in long, even strokes. “Charlie?” she murmured.
“Hmm?” His eyes were warm upon her.
“Hi.” She smiled up at him.
He chuckled, then shook his head.
“What?” Oh, how she loved his laugh.
A crease formed between his brows as his gaze drifted across her face. “Nothing.”
“I’m not sure I believe that. But I’ll let it go, for now.” It was impossible not to look at his mouth.
“For now.” He grinned, but the warmth in those brown eyes ratcheted up several notches.
The longer he stared at her, the more molten her insides became. She’d never had someone look at her the way Charlie did. He made her feel desirable and beautiful and ache with yearning. Not just her body, her heart. Maybe it was finding him so broken. Maybe it was watching him with Nova or how protective he was with Halley. Maybe it was how adorable he was when he’d been soaking up information about the bees. It was probably all of that and more. Whatever it was, her heart was no longer her own.
CHARLIE CARRIED A stack of plates into the kitchen. “Where do these go?”
Astrid nodded at the counter by the sink. “Right there.”
He eyed the mountain of dishes. “Need help?” She wore yellow gloves and an apron and was up to her elbows in soapsuds. She looked beautiful.
“It’s mostly just rinsing and loading the dishwasher. You can go and enjoy yourself with the others.”
He set the dishes down on the counter. He was adjusting to the overlap of conversations and general loudness that accompanied every Hill family meal, but he didn’t necessarily enjoy them. It was easier when Astrid was close. She seemed to know when he needed an encouraging smile or, if she was nearby, a touch of reassurance. Without her, everyone was louder and bigger.
Besides, Halley and Nova had happily commandeered his phone and were watching the video he’d taken of this morning’s bee happenings. There was no reason for him to return to the dining room when what he wanted was here, in the kitchen.
“There are more brownies, if you want some.” She nodded at the pan.
“I’m full. I’ve never been this full.” After a meal of roasted chicken, new potatoes and fresh-from-the-garden green beans, he’d had two massive helpings of brownies à la mode. If he was going to keep eating like this, he needed to start running again. Delicious homemade food was never in short supply in the Hill house. Which reminded him. “Halley said you made the brownies for me.”
Astrid paused for a split second, then went back to washing. “She might have mentioned that you liked them so...” She shrugged.
He stood beside her, resisting the urge to touch her. “You made them for me?”
“I...did. Yes.” Her mossy green gaze met his. “I hope you liked them.”
Dammit. She’d made him brownies and it made him...happy. It was that simple. How had this happened? How had he gotten here? He didn’t understand it. But he liked it. “I did. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and went back to washing dishes. “Can I ask you something?”
He braced himself. After this morning, she’d have questions. But he wasn’t sure he was ready to answer.
She glanced at him. “About Halley, really.”
Halley? He wasn’t sure he was qualified to answer questions about Halley. He had plenty of his own. “Sure.” He scraped the plates into the trash and stacked them within her reach.
“You were upset when you learned she’d gone on a walk. Was it because she’d gone walking with a boy? Or that they might have gone walking without adult supervision?”
She’d picked up on that? “Both.” He continued scraping plates. “She was too attached to a boy back home. I caught them...” He broke off. “It was good I came home from work when I did. Coming here was to get Rebecca’s affairs settled—and for distance.”
“I see.” She started loading the dishwasher. “That makes sense. Benji is a good kid. In case you were wondering.”
After watching Benji in action, Charlie had been impressed. The boy had been polite and respectful, he’d listened to everything Astrid and Tansy had said, and, so far, he’d treated Halley as a friend—only. While he was still wary, Halley deserved friends. Yasmina had told him, over and over, that no man was an island. It was only recently that he’d begun to get a basic understanding of what that truly meant.
He realized she was watching him so he added, “I do prefer the girls to have adult supervision. I realize it’s a false sense of security.” He wasn’t sure she could understand but, surprisingly, he hoped she would. “But it’s what I need to focus and get work done.”
“You’d mentioned something about a promotion?” Astrid finished loading the dishwasher, tugged off her gloves and wiped her hands on a kitchen towel. “Have you made a decision?”
“I haven’t.” He hadn’t given it much thought. Which was unlike him. Between Astrid and trying to connect with the girls, he’d been preoccupied. It wasn’t something he could put off forever.
“Dessert plates,” Nicole announced as she entered the kitchen, balancing way too many dishes. “I got them all.”
“Be careful.” Astrid winced as she set the stack on the counter.
“I’m always careful.” Nicole grinned. “Look at you two being all domesticated.”
Charlie wasn’t sure if he liked Nicole yet. Benji was her son, so that was a mark in her favor, but there was something about her that put him on guard.
“Nova’s telling everyone you’re having a sleepover tonight?” Nicole glanced between them.
“I’m spending the night with the girls, yes.” Astrid’s inflection on the girls was pointed.
“Uh-huh.” Nicole grabbed a piece of brownie and headed back into the dining room.
Charlie frowned after her. Maybe tonight was a bad idea? He hadn’t stopped to consider any possible repercussions. Nova might not be old enough to understand the looks and smiles undoubtedly going around the dinner table but Halley was.
“What are you thinking?” Astrid asked, pulling the dishwasher open and fitting the dessert plates into whatever spot she could make.
Watching her set his teeth on edge. The plates were every which way. No organization—just clutter. And it didn’t bother her. She finished, then closed the dishwasher, looking at him like she had no cares in the world.
“I have no idea what I’m doing.” He leaned against the counter, gripped its edge and stared at the closed dishwasher. “Sometimes, I think coming here with the girls was a huge mistake.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “I didn’t plan on any of this happening. Now I don’t know how to undo it. Or incorporate it.”
“What is it exactly?” Astrid leaned against the opposite counter.
You. This. “Change.” He pushed off the counter and opened the dishwasher. “I don’t handle change well.” He started with the cups. “I plan. Schedule. Map things out so I have a clear path forward.” He pushed the top drawer in and started straightening plates. “I try to leave room for unexpected detours but I make sure I have an understanding of all the variables at play. That way I can manage them, do damage control before there is any real damage.” Now that everything was in its place, he could relax. He closed the dishwasher and turned.
“Wow.” Astrid was watching him with wide eyes. “From now on, you’re in charge of the dishwasher.”
He blew out a deep breath. “Deal.”
“Everything you said makes sense in business, Charlie. But with people, there’s no way to know all the variables. Free will, spontaneity, emotions—human nature—those aren’t things you can manage. Those are the very qualities that make people, people. People are flawed and complicated.”
“And why I don’t, generally, like people.” He glanced at the dining room.
“I suppose there have been a few unexpected detours here.”
A few? He chuckled at that. Since he’d arrived in Honey, nothing had gone as he’d expected.
“Now that your air conditioner is fixed, things should quiet down.” As much as she tried to infuse her normal enthusiasm into her voice, it didn’t work. He’d hurt her and he hated himself for it. “And I’ll make sure to give you a heads-up before coming over.”
But if she did that, he’d find an excuse to stop her. “No.” He didn’t want that. Whether he liked it or not, there was no ignoring the truth. He liked spending time with Astrid. Holding her. Kissing her. Sitting across the table from her. Apparently, even standing in the kitchen and reloading the dishwasher made him oddly content. “You don’t have to do that.”
Her head cocked to one side. “You are a mystery, Charlie Driver.”
Did he want to be a mystery to her? He was overthinking. And oversharing. Enough. He shook his head. “I’m talking too much.”
“No, you aren’t.” Her hand rested on his arm. “I happen to like it when you talk.”
He shook his head. No one had ever liked hearing him talk. That’s why he rarely did it.
“Yes, I do.” She paused. “Shake your head all you want, it’s true.”
“Astrid.” Nova came running into the kitchen, Halley trailing after her. “It’s getting dark.”
“Are you really spending the night with us?” Halley’s gaze darted to his arm—where Astrid’s hand rested.
“I promised Nova I’d help her with her rat monster problem.” Astrid’s hand lifted from his arm to push the hair from her forehead. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out.”
“See.” Nova pointed at Astrid. “I told you she was.”
“That’s really awesome, Astrid.” Halley shrugged. “Sorry I didn’t believe you, Nova.”
“It’s okay.” Nova was bouncing up and down, ecstatic. “You can sleep in my bed, Astrid.”
“I can bring my sleeping bag,” Astrid offered.
“Nova has the biggest bed in the house. I don’t know why since she’s so small.” Halley smiled. “I bet we could all fit in it.”
“We can share.” Nova nodded. “Halley and Charlie, too.” She looked at her sister, who nodded, then his way.
That brought Charlie up short. There was no way that was going to happen. “The bed isn’t that big.” Whenever Nova climbed into his bed at night, he was aware of her every sound and move. Add Halley and Astrid to that and he’d be exhausted.
“You have to.” Nova’s lower lip flipped out. “You have to keep us safe, Charlie.” Her big eyes filled with tears.
Tears. He didn’t do tears. “Nova.”
“Come on, Charlie.” Halley put her arm around her sister. “You could sleep on the floor. Or in the rocking chair?”
“Yeah.” Nova sniffed, wiping the back of her arm across her face. “Please.”
“Fine.” He’d rather sleep on the floor than have Nova sobbing. That was unbearable. “Before we go, let’s say thank you for dinner.” He steered the girls back to the dining room. Manners were important. After tonight, he wouldn’t have to impose on the Hills’ generosity anymore. Even with all the noise and chaos that was part of any Hill family meal, he was disappointed. But there was no delaying the inevitable.
This weekend was the reading of Rebecca’s will. Once he’d made sure his aunt’s wishes were honored, he and the girls would go home. Just the three of them. Life would get back to normal.