She sounds about as convincing as she looks. "Who says it's not for me?"
Another staff member brings water for the table, and Lindsey takes a few sips before lifting the glass to her cheek and neck.
Dani is talking to Mads about how cool her key ring is, and Madi seems to sense the need to keep Dani engaged so my girl gives Lindsey a rest. I guzzle my water to empty the glass and then pour the ice cubes into my napkin, pushing it across the table toward Lindsey. "Here."
I can tell she wants to protest but feels so bad she can't. With a flick of her gorgeous eyes towards me, she takes the napkin and presses it to the back of her neck with a relieved sigh and a pleased expression that has me grinding my teeth and forcing my gaze away.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. Dani-girl, after lunch, maybe we should head back to the ferry and home."
"But we didn't see the turtles yet."
The island's conservatory has a turtle display that Dani's been talking about for the last week.
"Exactly," Lindsey says, adding to Dani's protest. "We have to go see Tobey the Turtle before we leave."
I shake my head slightly at Lindsey's determination to push through when she's obviously having a hard time. "We'll see."
"Please, Daddy? I don't wanna go home. Not yet," Dani says in her little-girl voice. "I wanna see the turtles. You promised. It's my birthday trip, remember? I get to do all the things."
And normally I'd be all over that promise to my girl, but I hate the thought of Lindsey pushing herself to keep up.
"I'll be fine," Lindsey says softly. And pointedly. "I just need to eat."
The fruit and crackers arrive atop a board along with spreadable dips, and we all dig in. I make sure to set Lindsey's favorites onto her plate before Dani and Mads can take them, and I ignore the fact I've paid enough attention over the last few weeks to know which fruits Lindsey prefers.
I pile Lindsey's plate and point a single finger at it. I get a glare in response.
She nibbles at the fruit but doesn't gobble it down like I hoped.
"Can I have pancakes?" Dani asks.
I chuckle at the question. "Breakfast is long over, baby girl. How about a sandwich or some chicken and pasta?"
Dani goes back to looking at the menu and points to the picture she thinks is the prettiest. That's one way to pick food, but it is the chicken and pasta dish I mentioned.
The waitress returns to take our order, and I note that Lindsey's eaten about a third of her fruit plate and managed to keep it down. She also ordered some plain pasta. No sauce, no nothing. I want to argue, but right now, I just want her to eat something. Anything.
"How's your leg?" Lindsey asks once the waitress walks away.
I know it's her way to shift focus off her onto me, but I allow it. For now. "Itchy from the heat but not too bad. I'm looking forward to getting into a boot."
"Can I go play outside until our food comes?" Dani asks.
There's a kids' play area on the deck right outside the windows where we sit, along with a sandbox, toys and the like. "It won't be long, Dani-girl."
"I know, but I want to go play. It's one of the things."
I bite back a chuckle. "You'll have to wash your hands again when you come back inside."
"That's okay. Can I go?"
"You can't go out there alone," I say, trying one last time.
"I'll take her," Madi offers. "If it's okay, I mean."
Ever since our late-night talk in Mads's room, she's seemed calmer and more at ease around me. I hope that's the case, and I'm not reading into things simply because I want her to feel comfortable with me and her new home.
