Charlie grinned.“It’s great.We made our first snowman in Phail Way Park.”
They chatted about the snow as everyone grabbed something from the truck to bring into the farmhouse.For now, they ignored the small trailer he was hauling.The essentials were in their bags.
Everyone slipped off their boots and outerwear in the mudroom.The guys all put on moccasins from a shelf, then Gray passed over a basket.“Hope you can find a pair that fits in here.A woman from Phail makes them.We’ve all got our own, and Amber’s going to have some available for guests once the No Phailed Apples Inn is open in the spring.”
“Thanks.These are incredible.”He grabbed a pair of dark grey ones and was pleased when they fit.
Charlie dug through the basket.“She made these?I’d love to see how she does that.”
Gray grinned.“I bet she’d like to show you.Nimii loves meeting new people.”
“We met a few people in the No Fail Diner.They were nice.”
Knox laughed.“Ginny is Nimii’s wife.I bet you met her.”
Charlie’s face lit up.“We did.She was so nice.They made food Ella could eat and then she made sure Olivia and Ella Mae had a safe place to stay.I think she could tell that Olivia was nervous about strangers, too.”
All three men turned to look at Nash.He was surprised Charlie had picked up on the tension, but he probably shouldn’t have been.His kid was intuitive.
He answered the men’s unspoken questions.“We met Olivia and her little girl in the park.Charlie invited them to make a snowman with us.Then we had lunch in the diner.”
Charlie nodded as he found a pair of deep brown moccasins.“I invited them to come see the farm if they stay in Phail.Is that okay?I know it’s not really our place yet.”
Knox patted his shoulder.“Itisyour place and you did exactly the right thing inviting them to see the farm.Sounds like they’d have fun here.”
Charlie grinned and they moved into the kitchen.The others protested when Nash opened the cooler and the bags full of pantry items.He shook his head.“We’re not sponging off anyone, not even for a day.We’ve got lots to contribute while we figure out how to help the farm.”
Knox sighed dramatically.“You’re helping by being here.By enlarging our family and being part of our team.We’ll figure out the rest.There’s no rush, we’re glad you’re both here.”
Nash swallowed at the raw emotion and hugged Charlie to his side.His thanks was a rough grumble, but no one commented on it.
Ford nodded.“I’ve got a bunch of enchiladas cooking.They’ll be ready in a bit.Why don’t you let Claus show you the available rooms upstairs?”
Which would give him a moment to regroup.These guys were the best.
Upstairs, Gray pointed out two rooms that were across the hall from each other.“We thought these two might be the best, but it’s up to you.The rooms are all pretty much the same size and they all have their own bathrooms.”
His buddy grinned.“Everything is functional, but the fixtures are decades old and will stay that way until Ford gets to them over the winter.Check them out.”
Eyes wide, Charlie led the way into the first bathroom.They shared a grin and his boy laughed.“A blue toilet?Why would anyone have a blue toilet?”
The room across had yellow fixtures.They checked out the other rooms.There were more blue and yellow, plus one pink and one green.Charlie laughed.“I bet Ella Mae would like the pink one.It matches her jacket and hat.”
Nash let Charlie decide, and they ended up using the ones across from each other.Charlie claimed the blue, and Nash took the yellow.
After he helped Charlie unpack, they headed to his room.“You can always bunk with me, bud.There’s enough room.”
Charlie shrugged.“I’m okay.”
Nash nodded.“Okay, but no biggie.If you change your mind, the invite is always open.You don’t have to knock, just come on in.”
Charlie didn’t have a lot of nightmares, and he was usually a good sleeper, but his first night in a new place might be rough.“You want to give me a hand with my stuff, or do you want to check out the house on your own?”
“I’ll help.Then we can check it out together.”
“Sounds great.”
The main floor of the farmhouse was huge.There were three large living spaces with real fireplaces, and a library with shelves covering the walls, but only a couple of dozen books.Charlie had more than triple that in the boxes in the trailer.There were also two staircases leading up and another down to a basement.
