Before she could ask, Zia patted Faye's hand. "You are very clever," she told her. "And you're very kind." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "You're never mean. Even when you won't let me do what I want to."
Alara hid a smile and exchanged a look with Reaves, who'd come into the kitchen now and was obviously trying not to laugh himself.
Faye beamed. "I'm glad you see it that way," she told Zia. "I'm here to take care of you—that's what I want to do, whether it's feeding you or teaching you. I'd never want to be mean to you, but I know some kids see it like that when they don't get their own way." She ruffled Zia's hair. "You're not one of them, though." She winked at Alara before adding, "Reaves wasn't either, when he was your age."
Reaves shrugged. "We just know that Mrs. Faye cares, don't we, Z?"
Zia nodded, seemingly preoccupied as she studied Faye.
"What's up, little miss? If you have something to say, you can say it."
"You need a better name."
Alara sat up a little straighter; she'd been waiting for this.
But Zia heaved a big sigh. "And I still haven't found it. I don't know what it is yet. But I will find it."
"You let me know when you do," Faye told her. "What about you, Reaves—do you need a snack? There are still plenty of muffins left if you want. No cookies today, though. I'm going back to my computer; I need to study up for my grocery list. I can already tell you that there'll be steaks on the menu this week." She glanced from him to Alara. "Should I shop as though you'll be here for dinner every night?"
Reaves smiled at Alara as he said, "Yeah. Please, Faye."
Something in her settled at that. He wasn't going to disappear because she wasn't desperately ill and didn't need him in the way they'd feared. It was so easy to get lost in his eyes for a moment.She jumped down from the stool, feeling guilty when she caught herself.
"I should get to work. Delaney will be here soon."
"You need to rest, Mom!" Zia said with a scowl.
"I'm only going to sit in the office and talk to her."
Reaves smiled. "Do you mind if I come with you? I'd like to see her reaction to the labels." He nodded toward the hall. "She's already here. Dad wanted a word with her first."
Zia came and took her hand. "I'm coming too. I need to make sure you rest, even while Lady Brambles is here."
"The who?" Reaves asked. "Why did you name her that?"
Zia shrugged as she tugged on Alara's hand. "She's prickly."
Chapter Fifteen
Reaves hesitated when he reached the door to his dad's study. He'd shown Delaney in here when she arrived—much to her surprise, and he'd left the two of them together, Delaney looking a little put out, and his dad looking wary but determined, before excusing himself to go and check on Alara.
Now that Alara and Zia were getting set up in her office, he was back.
He strained to hear anything, but couldn't. That had to be a good sign, didn't it? At least there were no raised voices. Relief flooded through him when he heard laughter—both of them.
He knocked on the door, eager to find out what they were laughing about.
"Come in," called his dad.
"Did I give you enough time?" he asked as he walked in.
"I think so," said his dad. "Unless you have any questions?" He raised his eyebrows at Delaney.
"No, we're good. I understand, and I'm on board." She turned to Reaves. "You can relax. I'm not going to give Alara a hard time. I want to look out for her just as much as you do." She smiled. "Well, maybe notthatmuch. But you know what I mean."
Reaves felt bad. "I didn't think you'd give her a hard time. I just… I know you're focused and driven, and she needs to take it easy."
"I get that." She smiled at his dad. "And I want to say I have every confidence that we'll be able to pull it all together in time."
