Page 9 of The Apple Tree

“You are most welcome. What else can we do to help?”

“You know, I think that’s good for now. However, I was just asking Eve if she could watch Josh for me tomorrow night if that’s okay with you?”

“I’m sure that would be fine. She has nothing else to do.”

I frowned, and it fed Kyle’s amusement.

“What time do you need her?” Mom asked, wrapping her arm around me for a side hug.

I nudged my elbow into her ribs, trying to subtly wriggle out of her embrace.

“Maybe from six to around eight thirty or nine?”

I wrinkled my nose at him. “What if your date goes better than expected? You could get home closer to ten or ten thirty, which is fine with me. Like my mom said,” I shot him a toothy grin, “I have nothing better to do.”

“You have a date?” Mom asked. “Wow. You just arrived. Can I ask with who? I know everyone in town.”

Kyle pinned me with a look that wasn’t exactly friendly. “A date. Yes. I was surprised too. After all, how could I possibly know anyone after arrivingtoday?”

Oops.

I bit my thumbnail.

Kyle returned his attention to my mom. “It’s a blind date. Someone at the school arranged it. They heard I was new in town and single. But if it’s okay with you, I’d rather not give any more information in case it doesn’t go well.”

“Oh, of course.” Mom nodded. “I understand. Eve will be here by six. I’ll pop by, too, to ensure everything is going well.”

“No,” I blurted and quickly bit my lips together. “I’m eighteen. Stop treating me like a child. I don’t need you to babysit mewhileI’m babysitting. Okay?”

Mom eyed Kyle while he tried to suppress his grin.

“Eve, real grown-ups don’t have issues with other grown-ups helping them,” she said.

I couldn’t believe she was picking a fight with me in front of Kyle.

Soembarrassing.

“What’s that saying?” Kyle said. “It takes a village? I’m grateful to have found a village so quickly. I’m sure Josh would love spending time with both of you.”

My eyes bugged out at him.

“We’re just as excited to have you here,” Mom said, looping her arm with mine and trying to pull me toward our house.

“I’ll meet you at home,” I said. “I want to run inside and say goodbye to Josh.”

“Okay. Bye, Kyle.”

“Later, Mrs. Jacobson.”

She shot him a grin over her shoulder. “Please, call me Janet.” It was the grin she used when the cop pulled her over.

After she was out of earshot, I stepped closer to Kyle and narrowed my eyes. “Traitor.”

“What was I supposed to do?” He brushed past me toward the house, and I followed him.

“Uh, tell her she didn’t need to check up on me. Now, I have to tell her that you no longer need a sitter.”

“That’s not true,” he said, opening the creaky screen door. “It’s been forever since I’ve been to the movies.”

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