There was something very reassuring to Alara about seeing Callie's beat-up old truck parked next to Ollie's Cullinan. She parked her Suburban next to the truck and cut the engine.
"Can I get out now, Mom? Can I go and see Peanut and Butter?" Zia asked.
"Give me a second. I need to get your things out the back and—"
"Please," Zia interrupted. "I want to see them. We're going to swim together."
"I'll get the bags," said Reaves.
"Thanks. Give me a minute, Z, and I'll come and get you out."
Zia met her gaze in the rearview mirror. They'd both known for a while now that Zia was more than capable of unbuckling her own belt and climbing out of her car seat. Alara held her gaze steadily until Zia dropped her chin.
"I'll be right there."
She didn't stop Reaves—she was going to have her hands full with Zia. He gave her a small smile as he opened the back and took out the bag she'd brought with towels and Zia's things.
Once Alara had unfastened her belt, Zia reached her arms up. "Hug, Mom."
Alara wrapped her arms around her daughter and held her tight for a moment.
"Love you," Zia whispered, before sliding out of her seat.
"Z, remember what I said," Alara called after her.
"I know. I promise I'll be good. I promise I'll be careful around the pool, and I won't go in unless someone's with me."
Alara raised her eyebrows, and Zia toed the gravel with her purple sandal. "Okay. I know that Peanut and Butter don't count as someone with me."
"That's right. I mean it, Z."
"I know, Mom. Can I go see them now?"
"Okay."
They'd been over here a few times now to visit with Callie and Ollie, and Zia knew exactly where she was going. Since Alara knew that the path she would take didn't lead her by the pool, she didn't mind letting her run ahead.
"Are you okay? Do you want me to catch up with her?" Reaves asked.
It was tempting to send him on so that she could have a moment to herself. But she wasn't blind. He kept trying to show her how much he wanted to be there for her—therewithher. And if she were honest, she'd love for him to be.
She wasn’t going to entertain any ideas about no longer being around for him to be with. She'd decided that she was going to push away all thoughts of anything happening to her. At least for today.
"She'll be fine. We can catch up."
Reaves set down one of the bags and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Are you sure you're all right with this? We can keep it short if you want to. I'd hate for you to feel like you're stuck here all day. If you'd rather have some time for yourself at home, to sit and…" He shook his head. "Think."
She nodded. She knew what he meant, but she wasn't going to name it any more than he had.
"Thanks, Reaves. I think it'll be a good day. Zia will enjoy it. And I will," she added hurriedly. "I think it'll be a good distraction."
"Okay. But if you decide you've had enough, if you want to go, just give me the nod." He smiled. "I'll make an excuse so that it's me who needs to leave, not you. All right?"
She reached up to cover his hand with her own. "You don't need to do that."
"I know you're more than capable. But I also know that you won't do what you need to for yourself if you think it'll upsetsomeone else. All I'm saying is, if you want out of here, we can blame me, not you. Okay?"
"Thanks, Reaves."
