Dammit, why did I have to stutter? Why couldn’t I sound cool and confident like him?
With a massive effort, I pulled myself together. “What are you doing here, Robin?”
He held up a chocolate square. “Best brownies in the west. Shame Lorna won’t part with the recipe.”
My lips pressed together. “You came from . . .” I trailed off, unsure where he lived now. “You came back for brownies?”
Robin’s lips quirked up mischievously. “Of course not. I’m here to see Ada. Heard the orphanage was in a bit of a bind and thought I could help.”
How had he heard about that? The orphanage had always been just scraping by, but as of late, funds had dwindled much faster. I only knew because we’d had to scrap birthday outings for the last two months and those hadn’t been very expensive to begin with.
But that wasn’t the most pressing matter right now. I placed a hand on my hip and attempted to stare Robin down. “And how areyougoing to help?”
“That’s for me to discuss with Ada.” Robin took a bite of the brownie and closed his eyes, surely in bliss. When he opened them again, though, they were as alert as ever. “But I’m curious. Why are you here, Mar?”
“I volunteer here twice a week.”
Robin nodded. “Giving back. Sounds like you.” My lips tightened at his familiarity, but Robin didn’t seem to notice. He kept right on talking. “Anyway, I’ve got to be getting to my meeting. You know how Ada hates waiting. See you around.”
He moved to walk around me, but before he could, I grabbed him by the wrist. A tingle ran up my arms, and I broke our connection almost as quickly as I’d initiated it. “Wait, a minute! You’re not talking to Ada without me around.”
“Do I look like I need a chaperone?” An edge of steel appeared in Robin’s voice. He’d always hated when others tried to stifle his independence.
“Chaperone, no.” My chin jutted out. “I need to talk to her, anyway. You probably don’t realize this, but she’s getting old, and—”
“She tires easily,” Robin cut me off, his tone soft.
I cocked my head. How had he known that?
“Anyway,” Robin said, louder this time, “like I said, I have an appointment.” He headed down the hall toward Ada’s quarters, leaving me with my lips parted in surprise.
Questions ran through my mind as I walked behind him. What was going on? Why had he been in touch with Ada? Had she ever mentioned me?
I shook the last one free. I needed to get a freaking grip. Robin didn’t want me. If he did, he would have come after me all those years ago. He would have apologized and sworn to be a better man. But he had done none of those things.
And you’ve learned how to manage without him just fine too,I reminded myself.
Robin was already down the hall, knocking on Ada’s door, forcing me to rush to catch up. A second later, Ada appeared, dressed in her usual loose pants and tunic. Both were a fun shade of bright red that made her umber skin glow as if she were a woman of thirty instead of sixty-five. Her mouth cracked open in a smile at the sight of Robin. He beamed back and opened his arms wide for a hug.
“You look like you did the day I left,” Robin said, enveloping Ada’s tiny frame. “Did you find the fountain of youth?”
“Oh, lordy! Boy, you always were too charming for your own good.” Although Ada’s voice was muffled, I could tell she was laughing. “And I see Marian found you. Are you two up to trouble again? Teaching the youngsters all sorts of mischief before you came to see old Ada?” She stepped away from Robin. Her gaze went from him to me, her lips quirked up in a nostalgic expression.
I stiffened. Ada knew that Robin and I had broken up, but I’d led her to believe that the event was more amicable than it really had been.
“I ran into Mar in the hall,” Robin said, never missing a beat. “She was trying to snag a brownie from the Halloween party stash. I set her on the straight and narrow path. Like usual.”
Ada snorted. “I’m not sure who was zig and who was zag in your paths, but you two wereneverstraight and narrow. That much I’m sure of.” She turned and waved for us to follow. “Come on in, double trouble. Have a seat.”
Double trouble.
Despite my need to appear like a strong, independent woman around Robin, the corners of my lips lifted. It had been ages since I’d heard the nickname the orphanage workers had bestowed on Robin and me.
“So, Marian, I assume you’re here to give me the rundown.” Ada sat behind her desk. The old chair creaked beneath her slight weight. It was the same one she’d used for at least twenty years. “Would you like to go first?”
I ran through the day, like I did after every volunteer shift. Although I was focusing on Ada while I spoke, I noticed Robin’s eyes light up at my mention of the sand dunes. It was so endearing that I almost forgot to be annoyed by his presence.
“So, the kids should be all cleaned up,” I finished, remembering the brownies, added, “Do you need extra help for the Halloween party tomorrow? I’m not working. I can—”
