Page 70 of Still Love You

"Willow." Carl stands up, sporting a big wide smile. "You're early."

"It's almost eight. I'm not that early."

Candace gathers the papers and stuffs them in a folder. "Is it that late? I need to get to work."

"What's all that paperwork for?" Willow asks.

"Your father and I were just looking at the schedules for the farmers' markets this summer." Candace stuffs the folder in the giant bag she calls a purse and walks over to Willow, kissing her cheek. "Bye, honey."

"Why don't you give that to me?" She points to the folder. "I'll make a calendar of all the farmers' markets for the summer and a spreadsheet that will track sales."

"We don't need that," Carl says to Willow. "But thank you for offering." He goes over to Candace and gives her a kiss. "Bye, honey. See you tonight."

"Carl can ride home with us if you need to work late," I say to Candace.

"I won't be late tonight. Willow and I are making lotions." She smiles. "You could come help if you want."

"Okay," I say, willing to do most anything to help them make money.

Willow laughs. "Silas, she was joking."

"I don't mind helping. It's just mixing stuff up, right?"

"Yeah, smelly girly stuff."

I grin. "I love smelly girly stuff."

"Especially when it's on a pretty girl," Carl says, giving Willow a wink.

Candace heads to the door. "Great! I'll see you both tonight. Oh, and Silas, come over early. You can have dinner with us."

When she's gone, Carl says, "I'll order a pizza."

I smile. "Thanks."

He knows how bad his wife's cooking is and yet he still eats whatever she makes. Now that's love. But at least he doesn't make Willow and me eat it.

"Well, we better get to work," Carl says. He takes his hat from the hook and goes outside.

That was a close call. If Willow had overheard her parents talking, their secret would be out.

I'm so sick of this secret. They just need to tell her. They can't keep hiding it from her. I can't either. It's getting harder and harder to not tell her the truth.

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