"And if you want to talk…"
She nodded. She wanted to. She desperately needed to. But…
He gave her shoulder a squeeze before removing his hand. "Sorry. I know I keep saying it, but…"
She felt bad that he assumed she was rejecting his offer, when really all she was doing was wrestling with herself about how to maybe somehow accept it.
He made to pick up both bags, but she grabbed hers before he could. "I am letting you help, but I can’t let you carry everything."
"There you are." Ollie appeared around the side of the house, grinning at them. "Zia arrived safely," he told Alara with a smile. "She and the dogs are busy getting reacquainted. Callie's supposed to be supervising, but last I saw she was rolling around in the grass with them."
Reaves laughed out loud, and Alara smiled. "Thanks for inviting us."
"Thanks for coming. Want me to take your bag?"
"That's okay, thanks."
When they reached the back of the house, Alara laughed out loud at the sight that greeted them and didn't even try to stop herself when she noticed the way both Reaves and Ollie turned to watch her. Nothing brought her more joy than seeing her daughter loving life, and there was no denying that was exactlywhat she was doing. She was lying on the grass, giggling loudly as both dogs sniffed and licked her, Callie sitting beside them, watching.
Both dogs turned at the sound of her laughter, and Zia sat up.
"Come say hi to Peanut and Butter, Mom. They missed me. I missed them too," she said, running her hand over Peanut's back.
Alara hurried over and loved the way both dogs sat to attention and offered their paws to shake. They might be scary looking—and she had been a little apprehensive the first time she met them—but they'd quickly proved Reaves's description of them right. They might look like monsters, but they truly were marshmallows with people they liked.
Ollie cocked an eyebrow at her. "You're not worried, are you? They really have missed her. They love her to pieces, you know."
"No, I'm not worried at all."
Callie got to her feet and came to greet Alara with a hug. "Hey. It's so good to see you. I've missed you too, you know."
"And you. I'm sorry I haven't called you more. I've been…"
"Hey, don't apologize. I know you've been busy." Callie filled the silence for her. "I'm just glad you're here now."
She went to greet Reaves, and he kissed her cheek. "It's good to see you."
"And you." She looked at the bags he was carrying. "Do you want me to take those for you?"
He turned to Alara, and she shook her head. "It's okay. I just brought towels and a few things."
"Want me to put them inside?" Reaves asked. "I'm going to dump my bag in the sunroom."
She nodded.
"And who wants a drink?" Ollie asked. "I'll go get them." He smiled at Zia. "We have grape juice."
"Yes!" Zia punched the air before glancing at Alara. "I mean, yes, please. I'd like some."
"And you?" Ollie asked.
"That sounds great, thanks."
She felt bad. Zia had had grape juice last time they were here, and she'd intended to get some for her since she liked it so much. But then she hadn't been to the grocery store.
She frowned a little at that, and Reaves seemed to know what she was thinking. He rested his hand on the small of her back and smiled down at her. "Sorry, I've been meaning to pick some up on my way over to Dad's. Maybe we can get some on the way home."
She nodded gratefully. And as he stepped away, Callie took her arm.
