Page 54 of Wild Dreams

"But you do need someone, and I hope you think of my family as yours."

Something flashed across her face, irritation, maybe? "You know I do."

I wasn't so sure about that if she'd spent the last few years by herself. But from now on, I'd make sure she was always invited to Thanksgiving and Christmas. No one should be alone on the holidays. "You still have their house in town?"

"I'm tasked with keeping it in working order, but they almost never visit."

"You should talk to them about selling the house. Why should you be responsible for maintaining the place that they rarely visit?" It felt like she was still waiting for them to come home, and that couldn't be a good feeling for her.

Marigold looked away. "That's not a bad idea."

"What do you say about some pie?" I asked her, throwing an arm over her shoulders and steering her toward the living room.

She rested her hand on her stomach. "I don't think I can eat any more."

I looked down at her with a rueful grin. "Mom will be offended if you don't at least try."

Marigold poked me in the belly. "I’m the one who brought the pie.”

We entered the living room where Scarlett was setting up charades. "You're just in time."

Scarlett caught my concerned gaze. I knew she'd be on the same page with getting Marigold's mind off whatever happened on that call. Her parents weren't intentionally mean; they were just neglectful, completely oblivious to their child's needs.

If Marigold were mine, I'd never make her feel like an afterthought. I sucked in a breath at the thought of her being mine. But it was one more reason why I wasn't the man for her. I couldn't give her what she needed. She should date a nine-to-five kind of guy who'd be home with her every weeknight and on the weekends. Who'd be there for their kids.

I wouldn't be any better than her parents. I wouldn't do that to her, no matter how much I wanted her for myself.

We sat on the couch, preparing for a game of charades since my parents were still in the kitchen cleaning up.

I expected Eli and Scarlett to do well since they were already a couple. They should be able to read each other's minds with how much time they spent together. I was surprised when they struggled with their first card.

Scarlett finally threw up her hands. "What is wrong with you? It was a bear."

"How is this a bear?" Eli asked as he mimicked her hand motions in the air.

Scarlett groaned and then flopped on the couch. "You're literally impossible."

Eli gave her a pointed look. "I think it's time to question those acting skills."

"Yeah, you two should have an advantage with Scarlett's acting ability," Marigold said as she stood and read the next card.

"Are you ready?" Eli asked, and at her nod, he turned over the timer. "Go."

Marigold promptly began mimicking licking her hand.

I snapped my fingers. "Oh, cat."

She smiled, and then jogged in place for the second word.

"Runner."

She motioned with her hand that I was on the right track and kept jogging in place at a faster clip.

"Running."

"Yes!" Marigold said as she glanced at the card for the next prompt. Her arms went out to the side and she ran around the room.

"Airplane?"

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