Mira looks at me. “It’s okay,” I tell her.
She looks up at me, then rushes off with a smile.
“We’re actually smoking some meat on the barbecue,” Marshall says. “We can head out back if you like?”
I bite my lip, looking at Mira as she smiles and sits between the boys, my mind going to ugly places.
Rhett gently squeezes my arm, then leans down. “The doors are glass, look. The barbecue is right there. We’ll be able to watch her the whole time.”
We step outside and I’m happy to see Rhett was right. I can look straight through the glass to where Mira is smiling and waving the controller, presumably in victory. Rhett puts his hand gently and reassuringly on my arm.
I need to do this. If I’m not even able to relax when she’s ten feet away, how am I going to leave her?
I have to trust Rhett. I know he’d never leave her in a dangerous spot.
“It’s nice out here,” I say, as Marshall flips a burger.
“Thank you,” he replies, looking over his deck. “I like it. My wife will be down in a minute.”
“You don’t have to feel awkward, by the way,” I say. “I know you probably know a lot more about me than I do about you.”
“Not much to know,” Marshall says, chuckling. “I worked with that one for so long I had to learn how to be cheerful, otherwise I’d go mad. Other than that, I’m a fishing wizard and married to a beautiful, wise, gracious woman…” He smiles, and I realize his wife has just walked out.
She’s an elegant woman wearing a sleek blue suit. She walks over to me in short heels and pulls me into a hug. “Hello, dear. My name is Lucy. I know, I know, I’m very forward. But I want you to know, you’re welcome here.” She squeezes me, then steps back, laughing. “I promise I’m not usually this strange.”
I laugh, delighted. “Honestly, it makes a nice change from people tiptoeing around it.”
She shoots a look at Marshall. “People, huh?”
Marshall laughs, holding his hands up. “Hey, I’ve got tact. Some say charm too.”
“No one says that,” Rhett says, chuckling.
I laugh with him, glancing indoors, seeing Mira sitting cross-legged, smiling at one boy as he plays the game.
“And that’s Mira inside?” Lucy says.
“Yes,” I murmur. “She’s gone through more than she deserves.”
Lucy nods. “I know. I’m so sorry, Elara.”
“Elle, please.”
“Elle,” she goes on. “I know you must get sick of it, but I am just so, so sorry. Life is cruel.”
Lucianis cruel. But he won’t be for long.
“Thank you,” I say, genuinely touched.
“And of course we’ll watch Mira for the day,” Lucy adds.
“She’s a good kid,” Rhett says. “Quiet at the moment, but she’s funny, clever, caring, smart, and emotionally intelligent.”
My heart glows as Rhett talks so warmly about Mira. I spread my hand over my heart, emotion coiling inside my chest. It’s almost like my heart is telling me this is the man for me.
I almost laugh at the thought.
“What are you smiling at?” Rhett says, with a smile of his own.
