“Very funny.” I grimace. “And Heather isn’t justsomeone. She’s your sister-in-law. And right now she looks like someone just told her the world is ending tomorrow, so I thought I’d be nice. Damn.”
“It kind of feels like it might be.” Heather looks just as wary as Noah does, but she heaves a small sigh and begins to explain her situation anyway. “So April and I are moving here to Denver pretty soon, right? My job is opening up some offices here and giving me a promotion to make the transfer. I’m pretty sure you were over here when my daughter announced to the whole world that we’ll be at most of the Aces’ home games.”
“All of the home games,” April corrects her. “You promised.”
“Right. All of them. My mistake.” She offers a tired smile to her daughter, then to me. “Anyway, that was all going fine. Arrangements to move are taking place and everything was smooth sailing…”
“Until…” I prompt, worried where this story is heading.
“Until the city came in and filed a lawsuit claiming the developer is destroying some kind of birds’ nesting habitat.” She throws her hands into the air. “I don’t know all the details, but my manager just told me it could be months before the situation is resolved, and no guarantee it’ll be resolved in our favor.”
“Birds?” April tugs on her mom’s arm. “What kind of birds?”
“I don’t know, sweetheart. Some endangered something-or-other.”
“That’s actually pretty cool that they’re protecting—” Noah starts to say.
“Not helping,” Margo interrupts with a pointed look.
“Oh, right. Sorry. That sucks, Heather. But we’re not going to just leave you and April out on the streets. We can figure something out.”
I haven’t said anything, but I’m listening and trying to figure out if there’s something I can do to help, even though I have no idea what that might be.
“Okay, so what about a hotel?” Margo asks. “Just temporarily, until you can find something more permanent.”
Heather shakes her head. “For how long, though? What if it really does take months? I can’t afford to stay in a hotel for that long. Not in Denver.”
“What about a short-term rental? One of those furnished apartment situations?”
“I looked into that when they first started hinting about the promotion. The ones I can afford are either in sketchy neighborhoods or so far from April’s school that the commute would be impossible.” The frustration is starting to become evident in her voice. “And the ones near her school are twice what I was planning to spend on rent.”
“Then you’ll have to stay with us,” Margo says again, more firmly this time. “At least for the first month or two while you get your bearings and figure out something more permanent.”
“Margo, I can’t.”
“I mean it, Heather. We have the space.”
“For now, maybe. But what about when the baby comes? You’ll need that room for the nursery, and even before that, you’ll need time to get everything ready without worrying about having me and April underfoot. Not to mention that Noah shouldn’t have to deal with a nine-year-old running around while he’s trying to focus on being a new father and team captain.”
“For you and April? I honestly don’t think he would mind.”
“He would mind. He’d just be too nice to say it.” She takes a shaky breath. “And regardless of all that, I don’t want to start my new job while I’m living in your guest room with my daughter like some kind of charity case. It’s humiliating.”
“You’re not a charity case. You’re my sister, and you’re in a bind. That’s what family is for.”
“I know, and I love you for offering. But it’s not a practical solution, and you know it.”
It feels like they’re going in circles trying to solve an impossible problem, but I’ve had a thought that I’ve kept to myself while I work through the logistics in my head. I have enough empty bedrooms for Heather, April, and a few of their close friends. I’m barely home during the season anyway, and I’m usually just sleeping or working out when I am there.
“Wait a second,” I say as the plan starts to take shape in my head. “Heather, I’m sorry for all the shit you’re going through right now. I know it has to be stressful for you. But maybe there is a simple solution.”
Again, everyone turns to look at me like I’ve started speaking a foreign language.
“Yeah?” Noah prompts, nudging me with his elbow. “What’s the solution, big guy?”
“Heather and April can just come stay with me.”
Chapter 3
