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I chuckle as she slips from my side and turns, rushing for him as Daisy and Luna leave his side and prance over to me.
Charlie lifts Ave up from under the arms and pulls her to him, spinning her around.
“You’ve been gone for weeks.”
He makes a face as she clings to his neck. “It’s been a couple days, you giant queen.”
“We’re going to the lodges,” Ave tells him.
“When?” he asks, looking toward me with a frown.
I shrug, smoothing my hand over Luna’s snout when she nudges me. “I have some time off at the end of next month. I thought maybe it’s what we need.”
He looks at Ave and smiles. “Are you coming?”
She nods, her smile even bigger than his.
“Hmm. I might have to pass then.” He tickles her sides, and she wiggles in his hold.
“I’m theonlyreason you’d come,” she squeals, effectively making the man-child (who’s only a man-child for my child) tickle her even more.
“Enough, you two. It’ll only end in tears.”
Charlie lets Ave down then takes her hand, walking to where I’m standing. “A good day?”
“So so,” I say, letting him pull me in for a hug I didn’t know I needed. “I worked the night shift.”
“Mase said. Do you need me to take Ave out this afternoon? I’m in the mood to be verbally violated by a seven-year-old today.”
“I greedily want to say no,” I tell him.
“What if we take Bear, Daisy, and Luna to the Pennell Trail? Ave can take her bike.”
“I want to do that. Can I go, Mummy?”
I look from Charlie to Ave, knowing I’ll be spoiling their fun if I say no. “Sure.”
“Yes!” I watch as she fist pumps the air. “Thank you! We can have breakfast before you go to bed tomorrow, and Auntie Nina said she’s cooking dinner for when you wake up.”
“It’s okay, baby.” I bend to kiss her head, getting to her level. “Go enjoy yourself.”
“I’ll get my bike.”
I watch as she runs from the meadow, her shadow bounding along behind her.
When I glance back at Charlie, I find him watching me watch her. He tips his chin, and I slip under his arm as we slowly walk back toward the house.
“You’ve not been to see him,” I say into our comfortable quiet as we make it to the first gate.
“I actually considered going this week until Mason told me he was going home.”
“He’s doing good. He was up walking in the night.”
Charlie just nods, his eyes on the house.
“You can’t avoid him forever, you know.”
“I’m not avoiding him.”
