She offered the chili chocolate first to Estelle, who took a small piece after only the briefest hesitation. Then she offered some to Adara.
Adara carefully took a piece from the jar and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened. “It is spicy.”
“But do you like it?” Leo asked.
Adara considered that very seriously. “A little.”
Win opened the second jar and held it out. “Then perhaps you’d better compare it with Leo’s fruit leather.”
Leo laughed. “Maybe sweet will win after all.”
Adara took a strip of fruit leather, and this time the smile came instantly. “Oh. I like this one better.”
Leo put a hand to his chest. “A victory.”
“A small one,” Win said dryly.
“But still a victory,” Leo replied. “Which I hope you will relay to my brother next time he pops in.”
“Oh, I will,” Win said as she put the jars away. “A little brotherly rivalry keeps things interesting.”
Estelle laughed softly at that, and some of the wariness went out of her face.
While Win looked over the produce Leo had brought and chatted about what she needed next week, Adara wandered along the aisles. Then she stopped dead.
“Mama,” she whispered, full of awe. “Look.”
Leo followed her gaze and saw the small wooden bear carving sitting beside a jar of honey sticks.
“I found a bear,” Adara said, reaching toward it but stopping short of touching. “Can I hold it?”
“That’s beautiful,” Estelle said, coming to stand beside her daughter.
“My treat,” Leo said quietly, pulling out his wallet. “If that’s all right.”
Estelle hesitated, then nodded. “Sure. Thank you.”
Estelle picked up the carving and handed it to Adara, who cradled it carefully beside Fizz.
“Thank you, Leo,” she said solemnly.
“You’re welcome,” he replied.
As he turned, he caught Win’s eye.
She knows,his bear said.
Of course she does,Leo replied. This was exactly what Estelle had been afraid of if they were seen together.
But when he looked at his mate, she smiled. There was no fear in it now. No flinch of worry.
Only acceptance.
By midday, they had finished the deliveries and were heading back toward Leo’s place when he made an impulsive decision.
“How about a little detour?” he suggested. “There’s somewhere I’d like to show you both.”
Curious, Estelle nodded. “Lead on.”
