Yes, I’m sure she’sbabyingit.
Bella pouts, blinking her big puppy-dog eyes. “It really hurts.”
“I’m sorry.” I kneel beside her, positioning the ice around her hand. “Tell you what, if this doesn’t help in the next thirty minutes, I’ll take you to the doctorto get a cast. You won’t be able to play video games for six weeks, but if that’s what it takes…”
Her eyes widen in alarm. “I can’t play video games?”
“I couldn’t when I broke my hand. Could you?” I frown and look at Soren.
His brows furrow, but understanding lights in his eyes. “Ah… no. Nope, couldn’t play the harp or do backflips, either.” He tacks on with a sarcastic attitude Bella thankfully doesn’t pick up on.
“You can do a backflip?” Bella asks.
Soren shakes his head, looking at the ground in dejection. “Not since I broke my hand. It was the start of my downfall.”
I roll my eyes and pinch the back of his arm. He snatches my hand, covering it with his, holding it behind him where Bella can’t see.
I stare at his broad back, trying to summon the courage to rip my hand away, but it feels nice. Familiar. He squeezes my hand and then lets go.
What did that squeeze mean? I shouldn’t read into it. But I’m an archeologist. Digging into things and looking for meaning is my job.
I swallow. Not anymore. There’s nothing left here to find.
“Oh, well… I’m sure the ice will help.” Arabella huffs, lifting her chin.
“I’m sure,” I say, internally applauding myself for effectively quashing her dream of getting a cast on Christmas. She would have used it to make her friends do her bidding throughout the new year. This little girl doesn’t need that much power.
“So, what are we going to do now?” Bella asks, sounding very put out.
“Hmm.” I plop down on a chair, trying not to grimace when I nearly shatter my tailbone on the hard cushion. My head is still sensitive to quick movements, so I ease back gently. “Let’s see, we’ve been hot tubbing…” Arabella grins without guile, and I continue. “We’ve baked and played and watched movies. What would you like to do?”
Bella purses her lips and looks up at Soren. “When do you have to leave?” Her voice is pitiful, and I almost applaud her for it.
“I…” Soren glances at me, then back at her, seeming to make up his mind. “I’m at your service, m’lady.”
What a sap.
Bella giggles. “I want another show. Put on a play.”
“Us?”
She rolls her eyes and points at her hand. “I’m clearly not fit for such a task.”
I stifle a laugh. Sometimes she talks like a lady; other times, like a child. I only wish her parents allowed her to be a child more. When she’s not at school, she’s at music lessons or language lessons. Never does she get to play with a friend. I have tried to make up for the disparity as much as possible, but one adult can only do so much.
“All right.” Soren agrees, rubbing his hands together. “What would you like us to perform?”
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2. When Ron and Hermione destroy the cup of Helga Hufflepuff.”
I don’t have to think about it long; we watched the movie last week. That’s the scene where they kiss.
I choke on the air, which has grown a bit too warm for this blustery Christmas day. I cannot kiss Soren. Nothing would complicate things more.
“I’m unfamiliar…” Soren starts. “Does it have something to do with Voldemort?”
“Yes. I’ll be Voldemort and you will be Harry. I’ve been wanting to kill you.”
Bella giggles. “No, you’ll be Hermione, duh. And he’ll be Ron.”
