Conrad’s eyebrows rose. “Homework disease?”
CJ elbowed Billie. “You weren’t supposed to lead with that.”
As Conrad slowly removed his coat, I watched the realization dawn gradually: there were no disasters, no emotional hostage situations, no flour coming down from the vents, no batter on the walls. Just children, who had been fed and were doing homework.
The man looked so visibly relieved that it made me feel sorry for him.
“How was your day?” I asked.
He exhaled slowly. “Long.”
“Did you remember to eat?”
One of his eyebrows lifted. Interesting. Perhaps no one asked him things like that anymore.
“Eventually,” he admitted.
“Hm.”
Billie tugged his sleeve. “Winnie knows all about homework.”
“I gathered.”
“She also thinks my rocks are emotionally complex.”
Conrad looked at me carefully. “I’m trying to determine whether you’re encouraging them or managing them.”
“Yes.”
That startled a laugh out of him. A real one. And there it was again. The raised eyebrow afterward. The surprise, as though joy had caught him off guard in his own kitchen.
Oh, dear God. I disliked that my heart ached for him. Professional was one thing, but connection? Terribly dangerous.
“I should head out,” I said, before the feeling could settle too deep.
All three children gave me disappointed looks. Conrad noticed it.
“You sure?” he asked. “You’ve done more in one afternoon than?—”
He stopped himself.
Smiling, I stepped in to rescue him from finishing the sentence. “We survived admirably.”
Billie wrapped her arms around my waist before I could leave. “You have to come back tomorrow.”
“I certainly hope so. I’m leaving my tea mug for the morning.”
“That’s how you know somewhere is home,” Billie informed me solemnly.
“How’s that?” I asked.
“Because you stop taking your stuff with you. You just know it’ll still be there when you come back.”
Such deep words for such a young girl.
Disentangling myself from her embrace, I focused on making a clean exit instead of looking at the precious face gazing at me as though I’d hung the moon. Conrad followed me out onto the porch while the children argued about whether geese understood capitalism.
“I really appreciate your help today,” he said quietly.
