Page 27 of Why Not Us?

Adalie glances at me, as though asking permission, and I give a slight nod, watching as they disappear upstairs. When they return a few minutes later, they’re both laughing and I’m a little disappointed that I missed the joke.

“Do you have a spot you’d like me to set up?” Adalie asks, returning to the kitchen.

“I figured you could work in the family room,” I say, pointing. “If that’s enough space.”

“Oh, yeah. That’ll be great. We’re starting with sketching. If we won’t be in your way, we could even sit at the island here or at the dining table.”

I shrug. “Wherever you’ll be comfortable. Did you want something to drink? I have coffee, water, milk, beer, and apple juice.”

“I don’t suppose you have any peppermint tea?”

I shake my head.

Still, she smiles. “Water would be great.”

I pour her a glass, then watch as Adalie sets up at the dining table and Dani sits, wiggling in her chair. I listen far more closely than necessary to a conversation about shading and perspective.

When they finish up forty-five minutes later, Dani promises to practice what Adalie has shown her every night.

“Don’t forget about your regular homework,” Adalie says before I can.

“I won’t. Thank you for these.” Dani lifts the sketchbook, hugging it to her chest, and gestures at the pencils Adalie gave her earlier.

“Go put them away and wash up for dinner,” I tell her.

“Can Adalie stay for dinner?” she asks as Taylor walks in the back door.

Of course, he hears the question and grins. “Yes, Nate. Can Adalie stay?”

I glance at her. Her eyes are wide, like she hadn’t anticipated the invitation.

“Oh, I don’t want to intrude,” she says.

“You won’t,” I say. “If you want to stay, you’re welcome to.” I turn to Dani. “Go put your things away.”

She hops up, pausing at Adalie’s side. “Please stay for dinner.” Then she runs upstairs.

Adalie begins packing up her other things, putting them into a couple of the bags she’d carried in. I go over to help, and she looks up at me with a grateful smile. I remember how I’d felt in my office when I mentioned I’d have gotten her a cake if I’d known it was her birthday.

“Thanks,” she says. “And I really don’t have to stay for dinner.”

I lower my voice so Taylor can’t eavesdrop. “What are your plans for dinner?”

“I was going to stop somewhere on my way home.”

I shake my head. “Stay, Adalie. We can discuss what we’re going to do next week.”

“Okay,” she whispers.

We get her things put away and Taylor brings four plates and the cutlery to the table.

“Dani likes family dinners,” he tells her. “And we quiz her on her spelling words.”

I set the table, and he returns to the kitchen for the food.

“You don’t have any dietary restrictions, do you, Adalie?” he asks. “I’m guessing not, since you said I could get whatever kind of pizza the other night.”

“No,” she says, setting her bags by the front door. “No restrictions.”

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