Page 11 of Open Arms

That wasn’t a good idea for a number of reasons, but my mama always taught me to be hospitable, something I’ve tried to instill in Abby.

Apparently it was working.

“I don’t know, maybe we should give her some time to settle in.”

“But she might not have food yet. That fridgerator is always empty.”

The little rascal had a point. I hadn’t seen her carry any groceries in, and I was embarrassed to admit, I’d watched every trip to the car she took.

I needed to keep a distance. I still didn’t know what her story was, and while I wasn’t concerned she would be a threat to Abby, I knew boundaries were for the best. And that was besides the fact that I couldn’t keep my eyes off her. I had no time for a relationship, or even messin’ around with women, and this one was far too young and far too mysterious to let myself get caught up.

Keeping a healthy distance was paramount.

But Abs looked up at me with her puppy-dog eyes and I couldn’t say no.

“Alright. We can invite her to dinner tonight. But don’t think it’ll become a regular thing, now. She’s our tenant. She has her life and we have ours.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, already bouncing toward the back door.

Hand in hand, we approached the guest house where Chloe was likely unpacking the few belongings she’d brought with her. The door stood ajar, an invitation or maybe just an oversight, I couldn’t tell. We knocked anyway.

“Hi there,” Chloe’s voice was soft, but it carried clearly from inside. She emerged, wiping her hands on her jeans, looking every bit as out of place and beautiful as I remembered.

“Hi Chloe!” Abby beamed, looking up at Chloe as if she were some kind of princess rather than a woman on the run from something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“Hi Abby. Mason,” she said, looking up to meafter a moment. Her eyes were guarded, but something about them drew me in far deeper than I’d ever admit.

“I’m gonna go look at your stuff,” Abby said, skipping over to the dresser, where Chloe had set out some perfume and lotions.

“Hey there, thanks for being patient with this one,” I said, my tone light but measured. “She doesn’t meet strangers, only friends she hasn’t played with yet.”

“Of course, it’s no trouble. She’s spirited.” The corner of Chloe’s mouth lifted in what could have been the start of a smile or a polite gesture. Hard to tell.

“Gets that from her mother,” I replied instinctively, then wished I hadn’t. But Chloe didn’t pry; instead, she nodded, accepting the information without judgment.

“Looks like you’re settling in okay?” I ventured, glancing past her at the modest interior of the guest house.

“Yes, it’s quite a haven for me.” There was a guarded edge to her words, a castle wall around whatever she was hiding.

“Good, good.” The silence that followed was thick, filled with all the things left unsaid.

“You can come over to our house for dinner tonight!” Abby practically yelled with buzzing enthusiasm. She was bouncing on her heels, unable to contain herself.

“Uh, yes. That’s why we stopped by. To invite you over for dinner.”

“Daddy’s makin’ chicken and dumplings! They’re my favorite.”

“Oh my, that’s awfully nice of you.” She looked at me with a crinkled brow, as if questioning that the invitation was being offered freely.

“We’d really love for you to join us. If you don’t already have plans, that is.”

“Oh, no. No plans.” She looked around, probably looking for some lost excuses. But then she smiled and I couldn’t help but notice it reached her eyes. “I’d really like that. Thank you.”

“Our pleasure.”

“I’m gonna show you my dollies. We can play with them if you want.”

“Can’t wait.”

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