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“Yes, through the Donnelly brothers in Concord. We're restoring an old sea captain's house. Descendants of the original owner want to return her to her former glory.”
“Wow, I'm a lawyer by trade, but having spent time working on my place, I definitely have the bug. Is restoration what you want to do?”
“Yeah, I'm starting an engineering program in the fall at Columbia with a focus in restoration.”
“I'm jealous. I think I'd do that if I had it to do all over again. I could definitely use you for as long as you're here. Once you and Lark get settled, give me a call and I'll take you out to the site.”
Bastian offered his hand to Broderick as a smile spread over his face. “Thank you.”
Dante chimed in. “Let's eat.”
***
Later that night, Logan and Saffron drove in front of us to the house that was going to be our temporary home. As soon as I saw it, I loved it: the weathered cedar shakes, green shutters and brick chimney.
Bastian was just helping me from the car when Logan and Saffron stepped up next to him. Logan's attention was on my car.
“This is a beauty,” he said.
Bastian nodded at the Porsche Logan had ridden over in. “So's that.”
Logan's grin in response looked wicked.“Did you do the restore work?”
“I did.”
“It's beautiful, you've got a gift.”I didn't miss the pride in Bastian's eyes at the remark, someone who actually appreciated what he was capable of doing with cars and not embarrassed by it.
“I wanted it perfect, but safe for Lark,” Bastian said.
“It's her car?”Something moved across Logan's expression but I couldn't discern what it was.“Can I help you bring your things in?”Heasked.
“That would be great.”Bastian turned to me, his hand still wrapped around mine.“We'll do this. It's been a long day and I think Saffron looks like she wouldn't mind getting off her feet.”
“You can say that again,”Saffron muttered which earned her a chuckle and a kiss from Logan.
I knew the house was stocked with food; it was one of the things Saffron contacted me about.“Okay, if you're sure. Maybe I'll put on some warm milk.”
Tenderness looked back at me.“Warm milk sounds great,” Bastian said.
I turned then and reached for Saffron almost without thinking, because she was huge and I didn't want her to fall. A smile touched her lips at the gesture.“Does warm milk have a special meaning?”
“The last time I moved, Bastian made me warm milk before I went to bed.”
“The last time you moved?”
“When I turned eighteen, my aunt kicked me out of the house, so I moved in with Bastian for a time.”
Saffron stopped walking and turned to face me.“Your aunt kicked you out of the house? Why on earth would she do that?”
“It's a long story, but basically she loved my uncle, my mom saw him first, she became the consolation prize and I was the constant reminder.”
Anger gave her a funny pinched look.“She took her jealousy out on a child?”
“Yeah.”
I noticed she curled her hand into a fist and the sight of this very pregnant woman doing so, pulled a smile from me.“Come, I'll make you some warm milk too.”
“Once you are settled, I'll show you around town,” she said.
