“Mor would be pleased to hear it.”
“Mor?”
“Mother, in Swedish. My family immigrated when I was five years old, so we tend to go back and forth between languages.”
“I didn’t realize you speak two languages.” She let out a small laugh. “I feel I’ve learned more about you in the last two minutes than in the last two weeks.”
He leaned a hip on the kitchen counter and folded his arms over his broad chest. “Then it’s only fair you tell me something in return.”
“I’m not so interesting,” she assured him.
“I don’t believe that for one minute. Go on.”
She thought for a minute. “I was born in Pittsburgh. My father’s people are from there.”
“When did you move to Seattle?”
“When I was five. Like you.”
He hummed. “What else?”
“I collect baseball cards,” she admitted nervously, staring at the line of ceramic mugs behind Emil’s shoulder. “Well, my father did. Now, they’re mine. I’d like to collect more. Did you know a new set will be released this year? They’re supposed to be wonderful—full color and all the best players in the leagues. Can you imagine finding a Ty Cobb or Eddie Plank card? That would be…nice.” She forced herself to stop babbling and awaited his opinion of her unusual pastime.
“Olive, you are one surprise after another.”
Her gaze flew to his. “I am?”
“Yes. And that’s a compliment.”
“Oh.”
I was thinking about you. I wanted to see you.
A loud crash echoed from the room behind them. They both jumped.
“Robbie, sit down.”
“Sitting!” came the innocent reply.
“Emil, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He laughed. “To be honest, I forgot all about him.”
“Me, too,” she admitted. “I’ll clean up whatever mess he made.”
Emil waved a dismissive hand in the air. “It was probably the magazines I was sorting earlier. Have a seat, and I’ll bring out some tea.”
She slipped through the kitchen doorway and past a marine-inspired dining room to a brightly lit living area. Her trouble-making brother sat in a chair with his hands folded in his lap, an enormous pile of colorful magazines at his feet.
“It was an accident.”
She sighed. “How many times have we told you not to leap around indoors?”
His forehead scrunched in thought. “Probably not enough.”
She chuckled despite her frustration. “Truer words have never been spoken.”
“Anyone want sugar in their tea?” Emil called.
