Page 86 of Must Love Bees
“Ohmygosh.” Halley rubbed her eyes. “Whatisthat?”
The rat monster ran over the skylight, giving Astrid a good look at the animal’s tail. “It’s a possum.” She sat up, smiling. The mystery wasn’t such a mystery after all.
Charlie sat on the side of the bed, staring up at the skylight. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Nova.”
She climbed into his lap, her gaze glued to the skylight. “It’s okay, Charlie.” She patted his leg.
Charlie smiled down at her. It was such a tender smile, Astrid’s heart tripped over itself.
“What’s a possum?” Nova turned to Astrid. “Are they bad? Will it hurt us? Is it trying to get into the house to chew us up?”
Astrid managed not to laugh at Nova’s earnest questions.
Charlie, however, did laugh. It was a wonderful sound. From the smiles on both the girls’ faces, she wasn’t the only one that thought so.
“No, no.” Astrid was quick to reassure her. “They might look a little creepy but they’re actually very helpful animals.”
Nova shook her head. “But he’s trying to get into the house.”
“Possums are pretty shy. They eat bugs and lizards and frogs.” Astrid pointed at the night-light. “Light attracts them. At night, it’s very dark in the country. I bet the night-light is giving him an all-you-can-eat bug buffet.”
“I’m feeding the possum?” Nova stared back up at the night-light.
“Yes.” Astrid glanced at Charlie, marveling at how smart Nova was. He shrugged in answer but there was no missing the pride on his face. “We can turn off the night-light?” Astrid suggested. “If I’m right, then he’ll go away.”
“We could try that, Nova?” Charlie’s hair was rumpled and he looked sleepy and delicious. She tore her gaze from his and forced her attention back to Nova.
She was thinking, her little face scrunching up as she considered Astrid’s suggestion. “But then he wouldn’t have food?”
“And he wouldn’t scratch on the roof.” Halley flopped back on her pillow. “And you could sleep.”
“He is a wild animal, Nova. I’m sure he’d be able to find plenty of food on his own.” Charlie pointed up, the possum’s head clearly visible now. “Do you feel better now that you know it’s not a monster?”
Nova nodded. “He’s kinda cute.”
“Mystery solved.” Halley yawned. “Since you’ve got Astrid and Charlie, I’m going to sleep in my room.”
“Okay.” Nova waved. “Night, Halley. I love you.”
Halley kicked off the blankets. “I love you, too.” She waved as she left.
Astrid chose that moment to look at Charlie. He loved his girls, it was there on his face. She only wished he could say it out loud. When it came to words, he didn’t trust himself.
“It’s late.” Charlie smoothed Nova’s hair back. “And, now that we know the rat monster isn’t a rat monster, we should try to get some sleep.”
Nova nodded. “I think we should leave the night-light on.”
“You do?” Astrid waited for her to lie down beside her, then covered her with the blanket.
“He’s hungry.” She shrugged. “You can sleep in the bed now, Charlie.” She patted the space beside her. “There’s room.”
He stared at the bed. “I need to sleep here? Even though we know there’s no monster?”
“It’s a sleepover, Charlie. You can’t leave, too.” Nova frowned at him, leaning closer to whisper in her not-so-whispery voice, “It’ll hurt Astrid’s feelings.”
Charlie grinned. “It will? Then I guess I have to stay.”
“I knew you’d fix it, Astrid.” Nova’s eyes closed the second her head hit the pillow.
