“It’s much livelier,” I agree.
“I won’t be keeping you then, but I’ve had a bit of trouble with my sink.”
“Patty,” I say gently. “My house is full of people. You said so yourself.”
“Aye, but I didn’t know that before I called, did I?”
She knew about Callie. She also knew how much I’d improved over the last few years. These calls weren’t necessary anymore. I wasn’t a danger to myself.
“It’ll be quick,” she promises.
I can see how there is no getting out of this. I run my hand over my short beard and smile. “Be over in a tick.”
“There’s a good lad. Bring Callie, too.”
“Her sister is here. I don’t think?—”
“Just bring her, will you?”
Inhaling slowly, I search the glass for her reflection again and find her laughing. The sound filters through the room, reaching me. It’s infectious. I definitely made a mistake pushing her away, didn’t I?
“I’ll try,” I tell her. “See you soon.”
We ring off. When I return to the living room, Callie is laughing at the story Luna is sharing. I’m missing the details, but it doesn’t matter. Callie’s reaction is taking up most of my attention anyway.
I have a bloody crush on the woman, don’t I?
“Is something wrong?” Hamish asks, snapping my attention away from Callie’s laugh.
The faces in the room all turn to look at me.Thanks for that, cousin. “No, not terribly. My neighbor needs help with a pipe, so I need to run down the road. It shouldn’t take too long.”
“Patty?” Callie asks, sitting up. Did that…did she sound hopeful? “Do you mind if I come?”
“She specifically requested to see you, actually.”
“I’ll grab my coat.”
Luna looks between us, wearing a self-satisfied smirk. I want to tell her to lower her expectations immediately. Doesn’t she realize that Callie has almost five years left of school before she’ll be finished? That she can’t transfer to any old university? That she’s stuck in Southern California, and subsequently feeling very stuck?
“Can we build a snowman now?” Violet asks as soon as the final bit of tinsel is strung on a branch. “You said we can build a snowman, Mummy.”
Ruby leans back against Hamish and closes her eyes. “Mummy is sleeping, but Daddy will probably take you.”
Violet blinks at her twice before shifting her attention to Hamish. “Please, Daddy?”
“Fetch your coat, love.”
Violet squeals, running off to layer on her winter wear.
“Carrots are in the cupboard,” I tell him. “If you need a nose.”
Hamish heads for his coat and a snowman’s nose while I pull on gloves and my scarf near the front door, fighting a yawn. I’ve been heading to Rhona’s every morning to care for her animals, despite her strong objections, and staying awake late with Callie each night, and my sleep is suffering.
“Ready,” Callie says, coming into the entryway quickly, her boots laced and coat zipped up to her chin. She takes one look at my face and bumps her shoulder into mine. “Hey, you okay?”
“Wee bit knackered.”
“We’ll fix that tonight.”
