And I want him too,Maren thought.So we’re both in trouble.
Maren’s phone buzzed. She picked it up and read Arden’s name.
“Hey,” Maren answered.
“Hi! How are you holding up?”
Maren glanced at Juni, who was now stacking the crust pieces into a tower. “We’re okay. Juni’s a little out of sorts without Colin.”
And she’s not the only one.
“I thought she might be.” Arden’s voice was warm. “Listen, I have a friend who’d love to meet you. She has a little girl, too—not quite Juni’s age, but close enough. I thought maybe some company might help. Would you be up for visitors?”
Maren looked at Juni again. The tower had fallen over and Juni was staring at it like it was the saddest thing she’d ever seen.
“Yeah,” Maren said. “That would be great, actually.”
“Perfect. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
Arden hung up before Maren could ask who the friend was.
Mac raised an eyebrow. “Company?”
“Arden’s bringing a friend.”
Mac nodded and pulled out his phone, probably texting Colin to let him know.
Juni looked up. “Is Colin coming back with them?”
“Not yet, Junebug. But Aunt Arden’s coming. And she’s bringing a friend who has a little girl.”
Juni’s eyes got a little rounder. “A little girl?”
“Yep. Maybe you can show her your drawings.”
Juni considered this. Then she picked up her sandwich and took a bite.
Small victories.
Fifteen minutes later,Arden’s truck pulled into the driveway.
Maren opened the door and watched Arden climb out of the driver’s side. A small woman with reddish-brown hair got out of the passenger side, then opened the back door and lifted out a toddler.
The little girl had dark curls and bright eyes and was already wiggling to get down.
Arden grinned as she came up the steps. “Maren, this is Ellie. And this is Star.”
“Great to meet you.” Maren said as she let the women in.
Ellie shifted Star to her hip and gave Maren the warmest smile. “Hi. Thanks for having us.” She looked over at Mac, who had come from the kitchen into the living room. “Hey, Mac.”
“Hiya, Ellie. Arden,” he greeted with a big, warm smile.
Star squirmed harder and Ellie set her down. She spoke close to Star’s ear. “See Juni? Go say hi.” Star immediately toddled toward Juni, who was still sitting at the table.
“Hi,” Star said, clear as anything.
Juni stared at her. Then she looked up at Maren. “She’s little.”
