Page 13 of The Knotty Clause

That evening he settled into what had become his usual spot at the dinner table. He’d been unable to resist sharing meals with them even though it made him increasingly conscious of his own loneliness. Liam was already sitting at the table, kicking his heels impatiently against his chair.

“What’s for supper?”

She smiled at the boy over her shoulder

“A surprise.”

Liam groaned, his small head falling back dramatically. “Not a surprise! Can’t you just tell me?”

“Where’s the fun in that?” She picked up the three plates. “But if you want I could blindfold you and feed it to you. It could be anything. Even worms!”

“No, Mama,” Liam giggled. “I don’t want to eat worms.”

“Well that wasn’t the plan but if you prefer?—”

“No!” Liam shrieked, then burst out laughing.

She smiled at him as she set the plates down, and his breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t stop his eyes from tracing the delicate curve of her lips, or imagining them pressed against his own.

“See?” Her teasing voice drew him out of the dangerous daydream. “No worms.”

The food was as delicious as it had been since she arrived. She put ingredients together in ways that he would have never chosen to combine, but the results were always excellent.

After the dishes were cleared, he retrieved the package he’d prepared earlier.

“Here.” He pushed the bundle across the table. “For your lessons.”

Liam eagerly untied the cord and spread the contents across the table. He pounced on a set of counting blocks while Gemma picked up the small illustrated booklet of local plants and animals. He’d placed lines beneath each image so that she could print their names in her language and Liam could copy the words.

“This is perfect. Where did you get it?”

He shrugged uncomfortably.

“I printed it out. I can make others if you tell me what images you want.”

“That would be wonderful. How did you know what I needed?”

“I had a younger brother.”

His throat tightened and he rose abruptly, ready to retreat to his workshop, but then she reached out and put her hand on his arm. The touch of those small fingers stopped him more effectively than an iron chain.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her eyes warm. “I really appreciate it.”

His chest felt strangely tight, and his skin tingled beneath her fingers. He looked down at the slender hand resting against his arm, at the delicate bones that seemed so fragile and yet somehow held such strength.

“Why don’t you stay and play a game with us?” she added, and Liam gave him a hopeful look.

“Please?”

His resolve crumbled and he sat back down as she set up the game she’d created from a sheet of paper and some dried beans. The boy’s laughter filled the room as they played, and he found himself relaxing.

When she told Liam it was time for bed, he asked them both to tuck him in. He hung back as she kissed her son goodnight, then stepped forward to adjust the blanket around the boy’s shoulders. His chest tightened again when Liam gave him a sleepy smile.

“Goodnight, Yede.”

“Goodnight, little one.”

Gemma was waiting outside the door. He moved to step past her, but his body accidentally brushed against hers. He froze, unable to move.

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