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Hopefully the nanny didn’t know anything about Maltaffian wines, or she might think he was trying to seduce her. There was an innocence about her that told him he was safe.
He grabbed two glasses and the bottle and headed over to the table.
Minerva and Bo were sitting opposite each other on the long sides of the table, and April was at the foot, leaving the head for him.
The glass pan of whatever lasagna was, rested on a folded towel at the center of the table. Salad had already been served on the plates, and there was a basket of sliced bread and a tray of jams.
He smiled at the nod to Bo’s preferences. Even Bo’s meal would be a little more special tonight.
“This looks amazing,” he said.
April gave the girls a meaningful look.
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
“And thank you for funding the trip to the grocer’s,” April added. “I think you might have transferred more than you meant to.”
Sun gods…
“No,” he told her lightly. “I want to be sure you always have enough. I travel for work sometimes. I’ll feel better knowing you three are set and won’t have to do without if anything comes up.”
“Thank you,” she said, her voice soft and low.
It was odd, but it almost sounded like she was trying not to cry. But who would want to cry because they had a king’s ransom in grocery credits at the ready?
“Bo and I chose a selection of jams today,” she said, clearing her throat. “She was hoping you would sample them and tell her which one you like best.”
“A taste test,” he said. “Great idea, kiddo.”
Bo grinned at him, her little face darkening to a richer shade of green.
He could feel his darkening too when he smiled back.
“How was your day at school, Minerva?” he asked, figuring one day by random chance she would give a real answer.
She shrugged, then brightened. “Did you know April reads the same books as me?”
April coached Bo to pass the salad dressing and bread around, as Minerva talked about one of the series that she and April had both read.
“Wait, is that The Stowaways?” he asked. “I read that when I was your age, too.”
“Really?” Minerva looked skeptical.
“Of course,” he told her. “That hilarious ship is part of the reason I became a pilot.”
Minerva suddenly laughed and he was caught off guard by the happy, tinkling sound. How long had it been since he’d heard that?
“Try the starflower,” Bo said imperiously, handing him a small square of bread with a smear of yellow jam.
April rose from the table and began serving out the lasagna. When she got to Bo’s plate, Bo put her hand on April’s arm.
“I don’t want that,” Bo said quietly.
“But you made it,” April said. “And it’s so good. Do you believe me?”
Bo scowled in thought.
“Oh, and I forgot the best part,” April said, shaking her head. “You don’t have to take a whole bite if you don’t want. See the bright red-orange part?”
