If Kim had approved the gig, he didn’t feel right about second-guessing his sister, though.
“It should be okay, as long as she doesn’t get behind on her schoolwork.”
“I’m not taking advantage of her, I promise. I pay her above the usual babysitter rate, since Lydia’s needs are somewhat unique compared to other children her age.”
“That sounds fair.”
“And I try not to take up too much of Audrey’s time. She needs a chance to hang out with her friends and chill. She’s only thirteen, with plenty of time ahead of her to rise and grind for the rest of her life.”
Is that what Holly felt like she was doing?
Before he could answer, he heard the click of rolling suitcase wheels and a moment later Audrey came into the kitchen pulling a carry-on bag, with Lydia close on her heels.
“Thanks again for letting me stay with you, Holly. You’re the best.”
“Ha. You are.” Holly smiled at his niece and wrapped her in a tight, generous hug that somehow touched him. “Be good for your uncle, okay?”
“Sure. Uncle Ry and I are buds,” Audrey said.
“You’re always welcome here, though I’m sure you can’t wait to go back to your own bed.”
Audrey shrugged. “Yeah, but it won’t be the same without Mom there. Especially at Christmastime.”
“She’ll be back as soon as she can.”
“I know.” Audrey turned to Lydia. “I’ll see you later, Lyd.”
In answer, the little girl threw her arms around Audrey’s waist and sniffled loudly. “Love you, Auddy.”
She smiled. “Love you too, Lyd-Lyd.”
The snow had picked up while they were inside and it took a moment to clear off the few inches from his truck. Audrey helped him, reaching on tiptoe with the scraper he had been wise enough to pick up at a gas station on his drive here.
When the vehicle windows were clear, the two of them headed toward Kim’s house, which he knew was only a few streets over from Holly Moore’s.
As he pulled into the driveway, the small ranch-style house looked dark and cheerless compared to all the festively lit houses in the neighborhood.
“Your mom told me I could find a spare key she keeps in a fake rock. Any clue which is the right rock so I don’t have to dig through the snow for all of them?”
Audrey rolled her eyes. “We don’t have to dig through the snow of Mom’s flower garden. We can use the garage code. You might as well park there too, since Mom’s car was totaled in the accident.”
She slid out of his truck and went to the keypad on the garage, where she punched in the code. The garage opened and he drove inside.
Once parked, he picked Audrey’s rolling suitcase and his own duffel from the backseat and carried them to the door that led into the house, trying not to limp.
After driving for two days and spending the afternoon and evening on the go since pulling into Shelter Springs, hisknee throbbed and burned. He should probably elevate it with some ice, if he could find some.
“It’s freezing in here!” Audrey exclaimed as soon as she walked from the garage into the open plan kitchen and living area.
She hurried to the wall and flipped a switch to turn on a gas fireplace and then made her way to the hallway, where she fiddled with the thermostat for a moment, undoubtedly turning up the furnace.
It was cold enough in the house, he might not need to put ice on his knee. He could only hope his sister’s pipes hadn’t frozen in the week since she had been here.
“I’ll take your bag to your room. Second door on the right, yes?”
“That’s right. You can stay in Mom’s room across the hall or you can stay in the guest room.”
After setting Audrey’s suitcase in her room, he decided to head to his sister’s room. He had experience in the guest room/office that held a small daybed with trundle. He had stayed here once when Kim moved here and had spent the first night with his legs dangling over the edge, until he had ended up on a camp bed on the floor.
