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“Why?” I asked, curious.
“Because this is a family wedding. I know I’m not family, but you all treat me like I am, and I want to contribute as a friend, not an employee. Between your mother looking after Chloe so often and the cheap rent you charge me, I owe you more favors than I could ever repay.”
“That’s supersweet,” Thad said, eyes softening. “But it’s nothing.”
“It is to me.” Sammie glanced over at Thad, and for a split second they locked eyes and smiled like two people who shared a secret.
Did she like him? She must. She’d never looked at me that way.
“Great, now I look like a bad person.” Elliot glanced up from her work. “I clocked in.”
“That’s different,” Sammie said. “You’re making the cake. I have no special skills to offer.”
“Not true,” Elliot said. “You simply have too many to pick just one.”
“Thank you. That’s such a nice thing to say,” Sammie said.
It was a nice thing to say. She was like that. Kind and considerate. The guys who worked in the kitchen with us adored her. And not only because she often made cookies or cupcakes for the staff.
I’d noticed Elliot and Sammie had become friendly over the last few months. They’d gone into town to the tavern a time or two, leaving Chloe in the hands of my brothers and me. Fortunately, our only job had been to put her to bed. Thad had joked the whole night that we were just like the movieThree Men and a Baby.
Chloe marched up to Thad and held out her arms. “See cake.”
Thad hauled her up to perch on his hip. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“Pink,” Chloe shouted. “Yay.”
“You like pink?” Elliot asked, exchanging an amused glance with me.
“Pink best,” Chloe said.
“I told you it was perfect,” I said to Elliot.
“Miss Chloe, I’ve got to run.” Thad set Chloe on the floor. “You be good for your mama.”
“Go with you?” Chloe asked him.
“No, you’ll be in their way,” Sammie said. “I brought your crayons and coloring book. You can do that while I decorate the tables.”
“If you want, she could come with me,” Thad said to Sammie. “Mama won’t mind. She can be Mama’s little helper.”
“I help,” Chloe said. “Big girl.”
“Yes, okay, as long as you’re sure?” Sammie asked.
“I’m sure. Plus, I can always put a movie on for her,” Thad said. “If she gets bored.”
Sammie knelt to plant a kiss on Chloe’s head. “Fine, but behave, you hear?”
“Yes, Mama.”
Thad hauled Chloe over his shoulder and headed out the door, with his little charge squealing with delight.
“Y’all are so good with her.” Sammie tied the apron strings around her waist.
“Chloe’s such a cutie,” Elliot said.
“Thank you. I love her and think she’s perfect, but that’s because I’m her mama.” Sammie’s eyes glistened. “She’s doing so well here. Y’all have welcomed us and made us feel like we belong here.”
