His brows lifted slightly.
“No family nearby?” he asked.
If only he knew. “None that would be useful in case of emergency.”
He nodded slowly, clearly sensing there was more to it, but wisely deciding not to press. Excellent instinct. Most humans ruined pleasant interactions by demanding explanations they had not earned.
Mr. Lawrence finished organizing the remaining forms and looked genuinely embarrassed by the stack. “Sorry. There’s more paperwork than there should be.”
“No need to apologize.” I finished signing the forms and glanced at the children. Billie had become quite restless and was upside down in her chair.
“Well,” I said, “I shall see all of you tomorrow morning.”
Billie righted herself, looking genuinely devastated that she’d have to wait that long. “Tomorrow is forever away.”
“It’s approximately eighteen hours,” Bianca corrected.
“That’s forever math.”
At the front door, Mr. Lawrence reached for the handle, then hesitated. “There is…” He stopped awkwardly. “Actually, there is one thing I wanted to ask.”
“Of course.”
His eyes flicked briefly toward my clothing. Understandable. I was, after all, dressed like a very fashionable widow.
“Is it the hat?” I guessed.
“The entire…” He gestured vaguely. “Situation.”
Behind him, Billie whispered loudly, “I told you she lived in a castle.”
“I’m a firm believer in sun protection,” I said smoothly. “And maintaining one’s complexion requires commitment.”
Something warm flickered across his face then. “You’re a little young to be worrying about aging that much, aren’t you?”
I laughed softly before I could stop myself. “You’re kind to say so, but I’m older than I appear.”
That, at least, was profoundly true.
His gaze lingered on me.
Curious man.
Interesting man.
Achingly lonely man.
“Well,” he said eventually, opening the door fully now, “we’re glad to have you.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Outside, the air had cooled. Clouds hung low across the sky, blessing me with merciful shade as I stepped onto the porch and opened my parasol.
Billie gasped dramatically again. “She’s so cool,” she whispered.
“Billie,” Bianca hissed.
“What? She is.”
