“As long as you’re home by six o’clock, that’s fine. Where’s Andy?”
“He’s inside building the Legos set Mr. O’Dowd gave him.”
She stood and picked up a basket filled with fresh vegetables and herbs. “Do you want me to give you a ride or will you bike to Diana’s house?”
“I’ll bike. She’s still at the inn.”
“Before you go, I’ll give you some tomatoes for her.”
“I’ll get my backpack.”
Charlie raced inside and Andrea smiled. He was like a mini torpedo when he was excited. And walking Diana’s two dogs was one of his favorite things to do.
She walked into the kitchen and saw Andy. He was hunched over the kitchen table, carefully assembling an app-controlled truck. “How are you doing?”
“Okay. It’s a lot easier than the models I’ve made at school.”
She left the basket of vegetables on the kitchen counter and stood beside him. He’d built the frame of the truck and had already started on the sides. “It was nice of Mr. O’Dowd to give you the Technics set.”
“He said it will help me understand how the prosthetics work.”
“That makes sense. What do you think of Mr. O’Dowd?”
“He’s all right.”
At least that was a step above how he’d felt about him a few weeks ago. “What would you think about me seeing more of him?”
Andy looked up and frowned. “You want to date him?”
“He’s a nice person.”
For a split second, she thought he was going to tell her he didn’t like David. “I suppose so.”
Charlie ran into the kitchen. “Got it.” With a flamboyant flourish, he dropped his backpack onto the counter. “Are the tomatoes ready?”
“I’ll get them now.” Andrea took a container out of the cupboard and filled it with the juicy red fruit.
Andy looked at his brother. “Mom wants to go out with Mr. O’Dowd.”
“Like a date?”
“More like two friends enjoying each other’s company,” Andrea told them.
Charlie shrugged. “I don’t mind. Can we go to Diana and Ethan’s house when you go out with him?”
“Mom didn’t say she’s going out with him. She’s thinking about it.”
“Can we still go to Diana’s?”
Andrea placed the container of tomatoes in Charlie’s backpack. “I’ll have to ask if it’s okay.”
A smile flashed across his face. “She likes me visiting, especially when I play with her dogs. It makes them sleepy when they come inside. Can I go now?”
“Do you have your helmet?”
“It’s on my bike. I won’t forget to wear it.”
“In that case,” Andrea said as she handed him his backpack, “enjoy spending time with Gonzo and Charlie.”
