Page 33 of Sweet Surprises

“You have play practice after school tomorrow,” Tag reminded Olivia as he came in with the last suitcase.

“I’m just an understudy,” she said, rolling her eyes. “And I don’t know why I have to do an activity anyway. There’s plenty to do around here.”

“We agreed that you would do an activity,” he said gently. “And that you wouldn’t skip out on it.”

“After play practice, maybe?” Charlotte suggested.

“Sure,” Olivia said.

“Bedtime, champ,” Tag told Olivia.

“Right,” Olivia said. “Good night, Charlotte. Night, Dad.”

“Good night,” Charlotte said, watching the girl bump her shoulder against her father’s on the way out. The gesture struck her as being almost more meaningful than a big hug would be for more affectionate people.

“I know it’s not much,” Tag began when they were alone. “And all our junk is up here.”

“It’s really nice,” Charlotte assured him. “And it’s sowarm.”

“Warmest room in the house,” he said, his lips tugging up at the corners again. “I guess you’re drawn to extremes.”

“I guess so,” she said, trying desperately not to think about how drawn she was to Tag himself.

Breathe,she told herself.Don’t think about the fact that you’re alone with him.

“Help yourself to anything you want in the kitchen,” he told her. “If you need anything, I’m in the front room on the second floor.”

“Thank you,” she told him. “Thank you so much.”

His eyes met hers for just a second, and she felt his gaze sink into her, like he wanted to read what was written on her soul.

“Good night, Charlotte,” he said gruffly as he turned away and headed for the stairs.

She stood where she was for a moment after he left, wondering if he could tell what she was feeling. And wondering even more if maybe he was feeling it too.

But it was getting late, and she was being ridiculous. Shaking her head, she focused on unpacking for the second time in two days.

Somehow, even though she was in someone else’s space, it felt more like home here. It was probably only the cozy decor and the delicious heat.

Once she was mostly unpacked, she brushed her teeth in the cute little bathroom, and put on her pajamas. As she climbed into bed, she realized that she had a view of the stars from the skylight. It was beautiful and peaceful, and she felt a sense of hope as she slid under the covers.

But the longer she gazed at the twinkling stars, the more her worries began to swirl in her mind.

What if there was too much damage? What if they can’t ever open the shop again? What will I do?

The idea of having to go crawling back to the city made her feel more exhausted than the busy day on the farm. She had been so close to her goal.

But somehow it wasn’t just the idea that she might not be able to prove herself with the ice cream shop that made her feel heavy inside. It was also the thought of leaving Sugarville Grove and the Lawrences, just as she was getting to know them.

I wish I could just stay here forever.

The thought came unbidden. But the more she turned it over in her mind, the more relaxed she felt, imagining what it would be like to live on a farm with a nice big family all working together.

With that image floating around in her thoughts, Charlotte drifted off to sleep feelingsafe.

10

CHARLOTTE

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