“Can’t say I love leaving her with my parents for too long,” he says finally. He runs his fingers over his short beard before helooks at me again. “Look, Clee. I have a big ask. I wouldn’t bother if this wasn’t an extended job, but—”
“You want her to stay with us?”
He meets my gaze hesitantly.
“If it works for you. Even if it’s just for a little while to give my folks a break.”
I don’t remember deciding to throw my arms around his neck before I’m plastered against him again.
After a shocked second, his hands find my waist.
I draw back, grinning up at him. “Bring her. She can stay as long as she likes. As long as it takes, really.”
His gaze flicks over my face like a soft caress as he searches my eyes for doubt. He’s not holding my waist anymore, but I can still feel the hot pressure of his palms.
“Thank you,” he says.
I beam at him, trying to hide the pounding of my heart as I take another step back.
Sweet distance.
Distance is good, even if every part of me screamscloser.
“You’re welcome, Holden. I’ll help you keep her entertained. It’s the least I can do to pay you back for… well, everything.”
Kit doesn’t arriveuntil later that evening, and when she shows up, she’s wearing the biggest smile.
“This place isso cool,” she gushes.
“You’ve been here before, plenty of times.” Holden rolls his eyes, but I see him smile. The only way a father can who’s grateful to see his little girl.
“Just once recently,” she says. “Then you guys took me down to your secret lair with theHera Egg.” She’s almost bouncing on her heels when she says it.
Heartwarming.
Also, I get it. This place was pure wonder when I was her age, and now she’s hooked on the secrets in the walls of this old house.
“I can’t believe you didn’t bring her around more often when Gramps was alive,” I say, one hand on my hip as I look at Holden. “He must’ve loved her energy. Seems kind of mean to keep her away.”
“Yeah,Dad,” she says. “Mr. Blackthorn was cool. Remember that time he gave us a nice copy ofThe Odyssey?That thing was a collectible. I had to talk you down from throwing it up on eBay.”
He grins sheepishly.
“Yeah, and you remember I don’t like mixing business and my personal life. It’s unprofessional.” He raises both hands while she glares at him and sighs.
“Did Gramps ever give you a tour?”
She shakes her head.
“Long overdue. Come on,” I offer. “I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, too.”
“Oh my God,yes! Are there secret passages? I bet there are!”
“I’ve never found any, sad to say.” I lead her through the front door into the hallway. “The library’s pretty sweet, though. It’s my favorite room of the house, actually.”
“Hmm.” Her mouth twists to one side as she thinks, and her ponytail swings behind her as she takes everything in. “A secret wing?”
“Not that I know of. But hey, maybe we’ll find one.” I lead her to the sprawling staircase. “What do you think?”
