“She showed it to me,” Rafe said. “That’s what gave me the idea.”
Feet pounding down the stairs made him turn to the door. Lessa burst through and flung herself into his arms.
“Are you really taking me to get my gems?” she asked breathlessly.
“If you want to come,” he teased.
“Yes, yes!” She started jumping up and down.
“Good luck if she’s this excited already.” Ahri stood and picked up the bowl.
Nik came running into the room squealing, his arms waving in the air. She glanced at Rafe, trying not to laugh. He kept his own grin to himself. She’d be coming along, even if she didn’t know it yet.
“Calm down, Nik, or I’m not taking you anywhere,” Rafe said, and his little brother let out a martyred sigh.
“Off to the mines, I hear,” Alex said, entering the kitchen and tickling his children. “You two be good for Rafe. He’s a busy man and doesn’t have to do these nice things for you.”
“I wanna mine for gold,” Nik said.
Lessa let out a disgusted sound. “We’re goinggemmining. They only have fool’s gold.”
“What’s fool’s gold?” Nik asked, temporarily distracted.
“It looks like you’re in for it today, Rafe.” Alex sent him a sympathetic grin.
“Yes, sir, I am.”
Lessa grabbed his hand and started tugging him toward the living room, so Nik took his other and joined in. Once there, Rafe pulled them to a stop.
“Do you think there’s anyone else in the house who’d like to go gem mining?” he asked his little sister, whose gaze immediately darted to the kitchen.
“Can Ahri come with us?” she asked.
“Why don’t you invite her?” After Lessa ran back to the kitchen and started begging Ahri to come, he squatted down, taking his time to tie Nik’s shoe which had conveniently come undone.
At the office, Rafe had overheard her confirm that she had another date planned with Ken. Rafe might not be able to date her, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find ways to spend plenty of time with her.
It hadn’t taken very long after he’d made that decision that his old doubts had returned in force. Why did Tess’s final words have to be the ones he couldn’t shake?You were never enough. You’llneverbe enough.
“Ow. Not so tight,” Nik whined.
“Sorry.” Rafe loosened the laces. “That better?”
“I guess I’m going with you to the mine,” Ahri said hesitantly from the kitchen doorway. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.” Rafe stood. “I’ll buckle these two in their seats while you get your things.”
“I’ll be right out.”
He focused his attention on the thought that it was Ahri he’d be spending the morning with and not bad memories.
Lessa spent the beginning of the drive chatting away about the different gems she hoped to mine. Ahri seemed a little preoccupied and never glanced at Rafe once. The atmosphere had the feel of a delicate negotiation, and every move had the potential to blow up in his face. If they hadn’t had several moments of connection like that one in the garden, he might have thought she wasn’t interested in him. He had to hold on to that thought.
“You’re really quiet today,” he said to Ahri when Lessa ran out of things to say. “Did you do anything fun last night?”
“I helped Lessa’s piano teacher with her group lesson,” Ahri said, still not looking at him.
Rafe waited for her to say more, but she didn’t. This was supposed to be a chance for them to get to know each other better, but how could they if she didn’t engage in a discussion?
