“Gross,” Liam mutters, as he finishes piling layer upon layer of pancakes onto his plate.
“All done with your pancakes, Remi Rose?”
My eyes snap up at the sound of Koen’s voice.
Remi tilts her head, confusion on her face. “How do you know my middle name?”
Everything stops.
The kitchen is so silent; I swear you could hear a pin drop when Koen’s eyes slide to meet mine, holding my gaze for a moment, before answering her. “Lucky guess.”
My mouth opens at the exact time Koen pushes his chair away from the table. “I’ve got work to do.” He walks past me on his way to clear his plate, and I hold my breath when he passes by me, debating on whether to?—
“Koen!” I call, trying to catch him before he disappears out of the kitchen. “Can we—can we talk?”
He turns to scowl at me, and nervously I chew my bottom lip, waiting for his answer.
“No.”
“Koen, stop.”
He doesn’t.
“Please?”
That does it. I swallow the lump in my throat that forms at the glare he gives me when he turns back to face me.
“What?” he bites out.
Bravery fails me and I straighten my spine, crossing my arms, which turns more into hugging myself than anything else. “Um,” I swallow again, reminding myself that the worst thing that can happen is he can say no.Except that isn’t the worst thing Koen could do—not by a long shot. I lift my chin, paling under his full attention. “Remi needs stuff.”
His brow furrows, and for a moment that icy glare ebbs—slightly. “Stuff?”
I rub my elbow, uncomfortable, hating that I have to ask him for things. “Yeah, like clothes, pajamas… she didn’t have any shoes when she got here and she’s been wanting to go outside…”
“Right,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll take care of it.” He turns to leave.
“Thank you,” I say sincerely, and he pauses, his head turning slightly back in my direction, before he nods once, and disappears out the door.
79
IF YOU CAN’T PLAY NICE, PLAY HOCKEY.
BRIAR
Sometime in the early afternoon,Remi-sized snow boots appear on the mat beside the back door of the cabin.Pink snow boots.I notice them as I’m coming up the stairs after Remi’s nap.
The house is quiet.
Liam and Aidan are out playing hockey on the lake, and I’m not sure where Rory is.
I pick the boots up, looking them over.
“Are those for me?”
I jump, realizing Remi is right under me. I thought she was still across the room.
“Umm, I think so?” I can’t think of another reason tiny pink snow boots would suddenly just appear.
