Page 34

The tender look and crooked smile he shot me sent butterflies into a frenzied race around my belly that would have given Merry and his imaginary horse a run for their money.

“Got overwhelmed because your home was invaded by a bunch of hooligans with no manners?” he suggested, arching an eyebrow questioningly.

I blew out a huffy laugh. “Something like that. But I’m fine. Really,” I said, smiling up at him.

His eyes tightened slightly as he pulled back a little but before I could question why, he leaned in to drop a gentle kiss on the top of my head.

“It’s okay if you’re not okay, you know? I showed up out of the blue, and now we’re turning your life upside down and storming your castle,” he said, looking over at Merry, who was waving his arm around, fighting an invisible enemy. We both braced for impact as a wild swing almost took out a lamp on an end table. “I would not be the least bit surprised or upset if you told me this was way more than you bargained for, and you’d changed your mind.”

“You wouldn’t be upset if I rescinded my invitation?” I asked, frowning.

“Nope.” He shook his head. “I would totally understand. If you’ll recall, I did tell you this might be a terrible idea.”

I studied his face but caught none of the tells I’d watched for to head off the worst of Jim’s reactions.

“You really mean that, don’t you?” I asked, shock making my voice a little pitchy.

Art frowned slightly. “Of course I mean it.”

“Huh.”

“Huh?” Art laughed. “Does that mean we can stay? Or should I start looking for a last-minute B&B?” he asked, tugging his phone out of his pocket.

“Put your phone away,” I replied, snorting a laugh that sounded suspiciously like a giggle. “You all can stay.”

“Sure about that?” he asked, arching his eyebrow in a questioning expression I’d seen him make a few times now.

“Yes, I’m sure. I want you guys to stay. I mean it.” When I ran my finger over his eyebrow to smooth out his expression, he rewarded me with a sharp intake of breath, catching my hand in his and pulling it to his mouth. As he kissed my fingertip gently, Viv looked up from her phone and glanced around the room disdainfully.

“Are we supposed to sleep on that?” she said snidely, tipping her head at the small curvy Victorian tufted couch sitting in the middle of the room.

“Nah, that’s where your dad is sleeping,” I teased, glancing up at Art, who grinned down at me in response. “I have something way more fun for you guys.”

“Yippee,” Viv deadpanned as Merry cheered for real.

“Lead the way, fair maiden! My trusty steed and I will follow!” he cried, throwing his sword arm out in a wide flourish that didn’t miss the lamp this time around.

“I’m sorry about your lamp, Mrs.…” Merry stopped, glancing at his dad with a confused frown.

Art caught the look and turned the same one on me. “What would you like them to call you?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, shrugging helplessly. Back in Massachusetts I would have been Ms. MacIntosh to Art’s kids. Maybe eventually something less formal once we all got to know each other better. But in the States, they wouldn’t have been moving in with me the day after meeting me.

“Ms. Meg?” Art suggested.

At the same time, I replied, “How about just Meg?”

Merry’s head swung back and forth like a pendulum as he awaited the verdict. Unsurprisingly, he chose to listen to his father.

“I’m sorry I broke your lamp, Ms. Meg,” he said, doing his best to look contrite despite the grin splitting his face.

“Just ‘Meg’ is fine, Merry,” I said, shooting him an encouraging smile.

“Just Meg?” he repeated, frowning at his dad again.

“Sure. Why not? If that’s what Meg prefers,” Art replied, reaching over to tousle his hair.

The little boy looked bewildered for a moment, then shrugged it off.