Page 70 of Hunt the Dusk
Talk about feeling welcome.
It was chilly outside,but the Trellanis had a large conservatory that was lovely and warm. Decorated in greenery with artificial water features, it had an outside feel. They’d laid out a fabulous buffet-style lunch with everything from sandwiches to pastries, and although things were a little awkward at first, the presence of the triplets, and their enthusiasm for Ordell, soon defused the tension. Aidan, Aaron, and Ava were an energetic, mischievous trio, and over the course of the two hours we were there, I was roped into a game of darts, archery, and a round of tag in the garden beyond the conservatory. I discovered that Aidan loved drawing and was creating his own graphic novel, and that Aaron was an inventor ofstuff,as he liked to call it. Ava, on the other hand, was a little more reticent, engaging but holding back and watching me, and it was only when it was almost time to leavethat she seemed to warm up to me and brought out the vase she’d made in her pottery classes with Bella for me to admire.
“It’s a little wonky,” she said with a frown. “But Mother says that imperfections are what make us interesting.”
I glanced at Bella, who was watching her daughter with a proud smile. “Your mother’s right. This vase is unique.”
She held it out to me. “I want you to have it.”
I stared up into her hazel eyes filled with resolve. “Are you sure?” My words came out thick with emotion, and a small smile touched her lips.
“Yes. I’m sure. It’s a thank you present for being Uncle Odi’s girlfriend.”
My cheeks heated, and Ordell quickly cleared his throat. “Um…Ava, Orina isn’t my girlfriend.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “Because you haven’t asked her yet. So do it now.”
The boys giggled.
“Ava.” Dash’s tone held warning. “Don’t be so presumptuous.”
“What?” Ava pouted. “Uncle Odi likes her; he has hearts in his eyes for her like you do for Mummy.”
“From the mouth of babes,” Ordell said gruffly. Then to me, “The cat’s out of the bag, it seems. Miss Lighthart, will you be my girlfriend?”
My pulse thrummed, heat staining my cheeks even though I knew this wasn’t real, that he and I could never be real. I smiled and inclined my head graciously, playing along. “Yes, but only if you promise to buy me ice cream whenever I want.”
Ordell pretended to think about this, tapping his chin with his index finger.
“Uncle Odi!” The triplets rushed at him, tugging on his shirt and climbing over him. “Just say yes!” Odi toppled to the floorwith the children on top of him, his laughter rising from beneath the huddle like a bubbling brook, fresh and invigorating.
“All right, all right. Let me up,” he said between chuckles.
The children fell off him, then helped him sit up.
“Well?” I lifted my chin. “Ice cream or no deal.”
Our gazes locked, and I couldn’t help but wonder if he was recalling our first trip to get ice cream together, when there had been a chance, however slim, that there might have been more between us. “Ice cream it is,” Ordell said softly.
“Yay!” the kids cried in unison.
“Okay, okay,” Bella said, smiling and shaking her head. “It’s time to say goodbye to Uncle Odi and his guest.”
This was our cue to leave, and Ordell’s eyes dimmed.
“No!” Ava cried. “Please stay longer, Uncle Odi.”
Ordell looked over at Bella, who shook her head ever so slightly. “I’m sorry, love. Next time.”
“When’s next time?” Aaron asked.
Once again, Ordell looked to Bella, and this time the children noticed.
“Mum?” Aidan asked. “When can Uncle Odi come see us again?”
“Soon,” Dash said quickly. “We can discuss it after the grand opening next week.”
“Grand opening?” Ordell asked.
