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She kept her gaze lowered but reached out and squeezed his arm. “He was negligent, which I didn’t even realize until I spent time with your family. I mostly stayed out of his way, and it was fine.”

Burke nodded and pulled her into a hug. There was more to the story. Had someone more recently tried to hurt her? Had she leaned into teaching out of the Q Lab to avoid someone?

If there was someone on her tail, he was in for a hell of a surprise. Rissa was no longer alone. Not only did she have Burke, but she also had his whole extended family here on the farm.

Yet another good reason for her to stay with them. Forever sounded almost long enough.

Chapter 10

Trick Question

Rissa smiled at her phone which was recording their outdoor lesson. “And there you have it. Bubbles aren’t just for summer. As our friend Ella showed us, frozen bubbles can be a lot of fun. We eventually found a combination of ingredients that worked for us today. The ratio of corn syrup to dish soap to water to sugar will vary depending on your location and especially your outdoor temperature. Remember, the colder the better.”

Charlie held up his mittens. “Dress in lots of layers and find a place out of the wind. That’ll keep you warmer and give your bubbles a better chance to hold together.”

Frizzle barked and bounced in a circle as if showing the audience that she had her layers on, too. Ella squealed. “Oggie Izz.”

The little girl called all dogs oggies, and then added an identifier for the dogs that weren’t her beagle, Oggie.

Rissa patted Frizzle. “We’re all warm in our layers, and when you try this experiment yourself, enjoy the beauty of the layers in the bubbles and the world around you.”

Charlie grinned. “If you have more science questions, send them through the online form on the Question Lab website so Rissa can help you find the answers.”

Burke held Rissa’s phone in one hand and counted down from five with his other. Once he turned off the video, he handed her the phone back. “That was amazing.”

Olivia moved closer and knelt in the snow to help with the cleanup. “It really was. I was as fascinated as Ella was by everything.”

Rissa laughed. “I love my job. Every day is different, but they’re all fun.”

Charlie put the lids on the containers so nothing spilled into the environment. “You and my mom both found jobs that are filled with fun.”

Nash scooped up Ella when she tried to drink the corn syrup mixture. “A lot of hard work, too.”

Charlie nodded. “But when you like what you’re doing, it’s almost like playing instead of working. Like us when we’re making cider and trying new flavor combinations.”

Rissa didn’t think she’d ever smiled so much. The No Phailed Apple Farm was turning out to be everything she’d dreamed of having. A safe place to stay, good people surrounding her, a job she adored, and Burke.

And love. Did she have love? She sure felt it barrelling around her body like a pinball. Love for the farm and the inhabitants, but more, love for Burke.

She knew she was jumping six steps ahead, and the scientist in her rebelled at doing things out of order, but she didn’t want to slow down. She wanted to revel in her emotions and enjoy them.

Even if Burke didn’t catch up to being in love, she knew he cared about her. He was attracted to her. Maybe she could devise an experiment to edge those feelings into love.

Which she would never do. She’d been manipulated before, and she’d never do that to anyone, especially Burke. Still, she hoped he’d fall in love with her as deeply as she’d fallen for him.

After they cleaned up and stored her equipment back in the Q Lab, the dinner bell clanged from the inn.

Burke took her mittened hand with his as the group headed that way. She no longer felt weird about joining the family meals. Amber had reluctantly accepted the money she’d transferred, but told her not to send any more. That would depend on how long she stayed.

After putting her engine back together in perfect working order, Lawson had hooked her RV up to an outdoor electrical outlet, so she was using their electricity. She’d figure payments out, but she knew there was no rush.

She was welcome to stay.

Joy bubbled inside her as they slipped off their outerwear in the mudroom. When she sat on the bench to slip off her boots, she reached for the basket of moccasins, but Burke nudged her elbow and pointed at the shelving unit that held the moccasins for everyone in the family.

Her name was labeled on a slot, like everyone else in the group. The pair of guest moccasins she’d been wearing inside sat in the slot. Her slot.

Tears flowed into her eyes, and she blinked furiously to battle them back. Here was further proof she was welcome. That she was part of the family.