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Cora glares at him. “It’s so lovely to meet you, Bethany Rose.”
Beth can’t hide the surprise in her eyes when she glances of at me.
Yeah, I’ve told them about you.
“Please call me Beth. And it’s great to meet you. I’m sorry about this little one.”
Isabel mumbles something incoherent, but Beth understands her like they’ve created their own language. “We’ll play soon, baby girl.”
“How are you settling in, dear?”
She blows a hair from her clammy face and tugs at her over-sized T-shirt. “Getting there. Living out of boxes, and this one keeps me from doing any task for more than five minutes, but yeah, getting there.”
I flinch when I receive the sting of Cora’s slap on my chest. “Why aren’t you helping?”
“Oh,” Beth stutters.
I fucking tried. Hard. I unloaded her boxes yesterday, but having me in the house made her tense, so when she thanked me and demanded she could do the rest herself, I left.
“He offered,” Beth continues. “I appreciate it, but I’ll get through it.”
Cora grabs the tray of cookies and squares her shoulders. “Nonsense, honey. We help our own around here.”
She’s gone, marching towards next door, and taking Beth’s protest with her.
Archer appears at the doorway with Molly close behind. “I brought breakfast.”
My house has become a community center hosting a meet and greet with my new neighbor.
“Bring it with you,” Cora calls, her voice growing distant with every word. “We’re all hands on deck today. Let’s go.”
“I’m sorry,” Beth mouths.
I’m the one that should be apologizing, but best she gets used to it around here if she intends on staying.
“Beth,” Archer drawls, standing closer and pinching Isabel’s cheek. “You haven’t changed.”
“I’m surprised you even remember me, and you obviously need your eyes tested.” Her lips tilt. It’s beautiful. “It’s good to see you again.”
I don’t see Molly coming closer, but her arms are around Beth in the next breath.
She’s a hugger.
After her initial surprise, Beth wraps her free arm around Molly.
“Of course we remember you. We have some of those pictures you took hanging in our living room. And his eyesight is just fine. You’re as beautiful as I remember, and passed it down to this little one, it would seem.” Eyes heavy, Molly curls Isabel’s wild hair around her finger.
Isabel tries to bite it.
We’re going to need a pen for this one.
Archer pokes his head out to see the final sight of Cora before she disappears. I can already hear boxes being moved when she screams, “Come on, Skip.”
He sighs and leaves, knowing his life is easier when he does as he’s told.
Archer cocks a brow. “What’s she doing?”
“We’re helping Beth unpack.”
