Page 15 of Whiskey Wednesdays

Harley patted her shoulder. “We got you signed up for soccer if your dad says it’s okay, and I think we found a dance class.”

This woman was efficient. I knew Damien’s truck hadn’t been here that long.

Elodie piped up. “Yeah, and I can wear my pink tutu.”

I glanced at my dad and grinned. “See? I knew she’d like it. Ellie, we can ask your dad. He may have already signed you up.”

“Signed her up for what?” Connor asked from the kitchen doorway.

I jumped a little. Damien walked in behind him and went over to Harley.

She smiled up at him. “Are you guys hungry? We went over to see if Isabella and Javier were around, and they ended up feeding us Christmas brunch.”

Damien looked down at the orange rolls. “These look homemade.”

I pointed to my dad. “He’s the pastry chef. I’m responsible for the breakfast casserole.”

“It all looks good, thanks.” Damien grabbed a plate, dished up some food, then sat down next to Harley.

Connor looked at us all sitting around his dining table, then studied Elodie. She sat next to me, eating and chattering away.

Ellie leaned over and whispered, “Belly, will you ask Daddy about school? And dancing?”

“Sure.” I turned to Connor. “Mr. McCoy, Elodie wants me to ask you to get her signed up for school. She also wants to get into a dance class.” I held up my hand. “Don’t worry, Harley found one that might work for her.”

Connor stared at me. “Call me Connor.” Then he turned to Elodie. “The school is closed for the holidays, but I’ll enroll you the first day they reopen.”

Dad nodded. “That makes sense.”

Connor glanced at Dad gratefully. “And we’ll find a dance class if that one doesn’t work. Maybe we can call Mémé and ask her what type of dance class you were in before.”

Elodie got up and ran over to hug Connor’s leg.

He knelt down and hugged her back. “Is there anything else you want to ask me?”

Elodie gave a shy shrug, then glanced over her shoulder at Harley and me.

Harley nudged me under the table. “Soccer,” she whispered.

I rolled my eyes. I guess Harley was passing the baton to me.

Clearing my throat, I shifted a little. “Harley also got her signed up for soccer if you approve. Ellie wants to play on Lennieand Willie’s soccer team. I don’t know who they are, but she considers them her friends already.”

Connor stared at Elodie. “Have you met Willie and Lennie?”

“No.”

He pointed to me. “You call her Belly.”

Elodie nodded. “Yeah. And you know what? She calls me Ellie. Belly and Ellie. It rhymes. And she’s my friend now too.”

Connor raised his eyebrows and turned to me. “What happened while I was outside?”

I shrugged and used my fork to push around crumbs on my plate. “You said you needed help. So we’re helping.”

Connor studied me over Elodie’s head. Narrowing my eyes, I set my fork down and folded my arms. “This doesn’t change the way I feel about you,” I muttered.

He grinned. “Not yet.” I didn’t like his grin one bit.

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