Page 81 of Must Love Bees
Nova nodded. “A grebirl.”
“Probably not.” Astrid shook her head. “But I don’t think it’s a monster.”
“But it comes at night. Monsters come at night.” Nova glanced up at her. “It’s real dark and scratches on the sky window. Like this.” She scratched on one of the pillows. “Over and over.” She sat up then. “Astrid, you should come and see. It’s real. It’s really real. You can sleep in my bed and it won’t be as scary.”
Astrid was more than willing to solve the rat monster problem. Spending the night with the girls was an added perk. But it was Charlie’s call and she’d respect his decision.
“Astrid, would you be available to help us with our rat monster problem?” Charlie asked, his smile absolutely devastating.
“Please, please, please.” Nova bounced on the love seat.
“I am available. I’ll make sure to bring my rat monster hunting gear. And pajamas.” She gave Nova a high five.
“I’m going to tell Ginger.” Nova leaped off the love seat and ran inside.
Without Nova between them, Astrid found herself scooching just a tiny bit closer to Charlie. He did the same—until his thigh rested against hers. She drew in a deep breath. He sighed. As tempted as she was to rest her head on his shoulder, she was content to be as they were. Together. Enjoying the sunset, his fingers running through her hair, in long, even strokes. “Charlie?” she murmured.
“Hmm?” His eyes were warm upon her.
“Hi.” She smiled up at him.
He chuckled, then shook his head.
“What?” Oh, how she loved his laugh.
A crease formed between his brows as his gaze drifted across her face. “Nothing.”
“I’m not sure I believe that. But I’ll let it go, for now.” It was impossible not to look at his mouth.
“For now.” He grinned, but the warmth in those brown eyes ratcheted up several notches.
The longer he stared at her, the more molten her insides became. She’d never had someone look at her the way Charlie did. He made her feel desirable and beautiful and ache with yearning. Not just her body, her heart. Maybe it was finding him so broken. Maybe it was watching him with Nova or how protective he was with Halley. Maybe it was how adorable he was when he’d been soaking up information about the bees. It was probably all of that and more. Whatever it was, her heart was no longer her own.
CHARLIECARRIEDAstack of plates into the kitchen. “Where do these go?”
Astrid nodded at the counter by the sink. “Right there.”
He eyed the mountain of dishes. “Need help?” She wore yellow gloves and an apron and was up to her elbows in soapsuds. She looked beautiful.
“It’s mostly just rinsing and loading the dishwasher. You can go and enjoy yourself with the others.”
He set the dishes down on the counter. He was adjusting to the overlap of conversations and general loudness that accompanied every Hill family meal, but he didn’t necessarily enjoy them. It was easier when Astrid was close. She seemed to know when he needed an encouraging smile or, if she was nearby, a touch of reassurance. Without her, everyone was louder and bigger.
Besides, Halley and Nova had happily commandeered his phone and were watching the video he’d taken of this morning’s bee happenings. There was no reason for him to return to the dining room when what he wanted was here, in the kitchen.
“There are more brownies, if you want some.” She nodded at the pan.
“I’m full. I’ve never been this full.” After a meal of roasted chicken, new potatoes and fresh-from-the-garden green beans, he’d had two massive helpings of brownies à la mode. If he was going to keep eating like this, he needed to start running again. Delicious homemade food was never in short supply in the Hill house. Which reminded him. “Halley said you made the brownies for me.”
Astrid paused for a split second, then went back to washing. “She might have mentioned that you liked them so...” She shrugged.
He stood beside her, resisting the urge to touch her. “You made them for me?”
“I...did. Yes.” Her mossy green gaze met his. “I hope you liked them.”
Dammit. She’d made him brownies and it made him...happy. It was that simple. How had this happened? How had he gottenhere? He didn’t understand it. But he liked it. “I did. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” She smiled and went back to washing dishes. “Can I ask you something?”
