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It’s a scarecrow, about the size of my palm, made from paper torn and folded from a magazine. It has a hat and everything. The legs are slightly uneven, and that makes me smile. I take it from her carefully.
“How cute is it?”
My eyes gloss over and my heart squeezes. Fuck, I miss him. I never realized just how much I cared until now. I know now I love the guy. I may not be in love with him, but he is one of my people. He’s someone I would trust with my life, and I’m sure there are only three of us who would ever say those words about Cave.
I hand it back to her carefully, knowing without a doubt that if I keep ahold of it, I will accidentally crush it and then be mad at myself.
Valli puts it back into her bag, and I pull her in for a hug.
“Thank god you’re back. Your sister doesn’t believe I’m a good project manager, and Clay is getting lippy. And Khodi keeps ogling your sister, plus there is a light situation.”
Valli pulls back and takes my hand, then waves at Nixie.
When we get back to the tent, Leni is standing on a chair, trying to reach the top of the entrance to hang the wreath, and Khodi is holding the chair steady.
The afternoon goes by quickly now that Valli is back, but no one seems to give her any attitude when she delegates the tasks. Rue sets tables up inside the tent, and staff carry out the food he has been cooking all day for us to try. People drift in and out, grabbing a bite to eat, and by the time daylight dims, the temperature drops, and people pack up for the day, the tent and most of the main paths are done. I feel good about where things are at.
“It looks great,” Leni says, and I agree.
We only have two days to complete the Christmas transformation, as Nixie closes the island for forty-eight hours and not a second more. It takes long hours and a lot of work.
“Does anyone know where Khodi went?” Valli looks at her sister sideways after that non-subtle question, and Leni smirks back at her. “What? He’s hot and I deserve a little Christmas cheer.”
Valli shakes her head. “He’ll be helping Clay do the final checks for the night, so feel free to find him. I’m sure after the looks you were trading today, he might want to see you too.”
“Are you sure? I would feel terrible leaving you.”
Valli laughs. “Sure you would. But I have my men to keep me company until you get back.”
Valli wiggles her brows and Leni screws up her nose. “Eww, gross. You could have left that part out.”
“Make sure Khodi brings you back to the shed,” I say sternly. “And don’t walk around in the dark, as you don’t know the island well yet. Or call Valli, and I will come and get you.”
Leni nods solemnly. “Yes, big bro.”
I open my mouth, then snap it shut. I actually like the sound of that, and Valli laughs when I smile. Leni wanders away to hunt for Khodi while Valli and I head back to the shed.
Cipher has beaten us back, but Valli tells us she is taking the first shower, kisses him on the cheek, and drops her bag on his workbench before heading to the bathroom.
“Valli told me about the scarecrow earlier,” he says.
Though I hate going through a woman’s bag, I quickly grab it, careful not to touch anything else. As I hand it to him, he gently takes it, smiling as he looks down. “I have been feeling bad because I keep wondering if maybe that place may be good for him in a way. Though I know it’s stupid, what if it can help him? But I love him exactly the way he is. See? Stupid.”
“It’s not stupid. I sometimes wonder if a doctor could fix me. It wasn’t until we met Valli that I realized people could love me for who I am, and you just want the best for him.”
“You’re not broken, Noa, not even close.”
“Look at us having a moment.”
Cipher smiles and shakes his head.
“That has to go on the shelf,” I say, pointing to the mini scarecrow.
“I agree,” he says, putting it on the shelf above his workbench. We both look at it for a while, where it sits between his coffee jars filled with bolts and other random things he might need one day. It fits.
I chuckle to myself. “He is going to hate that it’s there.”
“He will pretend to hate it.”
