“You take care of me, Pops,” Addie said.
“That’s right, and part of that is cooking,” Mr. Durham said. “Addie helps me sometimes, don’t you, kiddo?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“This’ll let you spend time on things besides cooking, like doing homework and playing games and reading Magic Tree House books,” Luke said.
“I don’t need any charity,” the older man grumped.
I was starting to wonder if I should excuse myself to the restroom so they could finish this heated discussion. As if he sensed my discomfort, Luke flashed me a half smile of apology.
“It’s not charity,” he said to his father. “Let’s talk about this later. I didn’t mean to make Magnolia uncomfortable.”
“Can Mrs. Haines bring dinner to me?” I joked, hoping to lighten the tension in the room.
“You can come out and join us anytime,” Luke said.
“I was teasing,” I said, but I couldn’t help thinking what it would be like if family dinners like this became my normal. I almost couldn’t fathom it.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Magnolia
Two hours later, after all four of us cleaned the kitchen together, Luke, Addie, and I headed to the barn so I could see his progress.
The floor had been refinished, the walls painted, the restroom fixtures were in place, and the kitchen was more than halfway done.
“It’s looking fantastic, Luke,” I raved. “This is going to be such a great venue.”
“You think so?”
I nodded. “It’s spacious but cozy, rustic but classy. The ceiling beams are stunning. Twinkle lights are going to make it magical.”
“We’re gonna have more twinkle lights?” Addie asked her dad.
“Magnolia thinks we should hang some from every other beam up there. What do you think, bug?”
“Yes,” she said, her neck craning to check out the beams. “Can we do them now?”
Luke chuckled. “We have to open tree season in a few minutes.”
“Where else will there be twinkle lights?” Addie asked.
Luke raised his brows at me, as if deferring to my answer. Before I could say anything, his phone dinged with a notification. He pulled it out, swiped, and read a message. He typed an answer.
“Everything okay?” I asked, seeing his frown.
“It will be, but I need to go help Scotty with something.”
“Would you mind if I stay a few more minutes and take some measurements?” I asked him.
“Stay as long as you like. If you’re still here when we close up, I’ll treat you to a hot chocolate.”
“Can I stay with Miss Magnolia?” Addie asked.
The question that would’ve panicked me a few hours ago didn’t seem as daunting now. Addie was growing on me quickly with her quiet but enthusiastic ways.
“She and I could figure out where else to put twinkle lights,” I told Luke.
