“Good night. Sweet dreams, Noel.”
Sasha lifted the tablet and stared at Max. He smiled at her, a genuine smile with wide lips and sparkling eyes. Approval was the dominant trait in his expression, yet the feminine part of her identified the masculine interest.
“Why don’t you take the tablet to the kitchen and make a cup of tea? I’ll do the same, and we can chat while we drink.” Once she’d followed his instructions regarding the tea, he directed her to what he called the family room. It was the one in which they’d sat the previous evening.
“If I was there in person,” Max said, “I’d kiss you. You’ve worked wonders with Noel in one day. He’s excited about everything he did today. You’ve taught him new things and engaged him. On top of that, you faced down our grandmother and won since she didn’t remove Noel. Thank you so much. The first thing I’m going to do when I see you in person is kiss you and give you a big hug.”
“Yes, please,” Sasha said.
Max stared at her, his eyes turning a deeper blue. The look on his face had her pulse racing faster while her dragon released a faint moan.
“Damn,” he whispered. He shook his head, took a deep breath, and changed the subject. “There is a swimming pool near the kindergarten. You can take Noel there so you won’t have to watch for waves. He’s never mentioned swimming before. It never occurred to me, and it should’ve considering we live so near to the beach.”
“It’s no problem.”
“Do you have a swimsuit?”
“No,” Sasha said. “I swam in my underwear. No one stared at me.”
“I would’ve noticed,” Max cleared his throat. “My mother was of a similar height and size to you. I haven’t managed to enter my parents’ room to clear out their clothes. Why don’t you take what you can use?”
Sympathy washed through Sasha. “I have time to deal with the room if you want. I can keep aside the personal trinkets you might wish to keep.” She hesitated. “I understand if you don’t want a stranger to do this for you. There is no rule to say you must do this immediately.”
“How did you get so wise at your age?” Max asked, his voice thick, and his eyes now glassy with emotion.
“We have always been wise.”
His brows rose.“We?”
“I mean I,” Sasha said without an explanation. “Also, you haven’t known me for long. It’s understandable if you don’t trust me yet. Think about it. As I said, there is no hurry.”
“I trusted Sheryl since she looked after Noel when my parents were alive. Yet it turns out she’s a drunk and a spy for my grandmother. I had my suspicions, but I wasn’t positive. In the short time you’ve been with Noel, his mood has improved. He’s excited about new things. You’re patient with him, and you don’t treat him like a moron because he’s different. And, you helped a lost child when I’m certain you had other plans.”
Sasha shrugged, discomfort rippling through her. “Anyone would’ve done the same thing.”
“No, they wouldn’t,”her dragon said.
“Not everyone,” Max said. “As a reporter, I see the worst of people. The best too, but it’s the horrid things that stick with me. As my other grandmother used to say,you’re a treasure. Go ahead and clear my parents’ room. I’ll pay you a little extra for the help.”
“That’s unnecessary,” Sasha said. “You’re already paying me to look after Noel. I’ll take a few clothes in exchange. That is fair.”
“He doesn’t realize the freedom and safety he has offered us is beyond any money he could pay,”her dragon said.
“Exactly,”Sasha replied.
Max sighed. “I guess I’d better go since I still have work to do before I can sleep.”
“I might bake some cookies.”
“You’ll find the ingredients in the pantry. If there is anything you need, write a list, and I’ll pick the stuff up on the way home. Talk to you again tomorrow?”
“Definitely,” Sasha said. “Both Noel and I will look forward to it.”
“Goodnight, Sasha.”
The screen flickered, and Max had gone before she could reply.
“He likes us,”Sasha said.
