“I do, I do.” Nova let go of Halley’s hand for the first time, her whole face lighting up. “But...” She sighed. “Charlie says candy is bad for you. It can give you cavities and give you diabebes.”
“Diabetes,” Halley corrected.
“That.” Nova nodded.
Astrid wasn’t one for jumping to conclusions but...she was beginning to wonder if Rebecca’s opinion of her nephew hadn’t exactly been objective.
“I don’t think one piece would hurt you.” Aunt Camellia chuckled. “It’s only bad for you if you eat the whole bag.”
“Can we, Halley?” Nova stared up at her sister. “Please. Just one.” She held up her pointer finger and squished up her face, like she was waiting for bad news.
Halley considered her answer far too long. So long, Astrid began to worry this candy would lead to more trouble than it was worth.
“One, maybe.” Halley eyed the clear canister. “But, maybe, we won’t tell Charlie.”
“Deal.” Nova hooked pinkies with her sister. “One, please.”
Aunt Camellia shot Astrid a pointed look—one that said she was thinking exactly what Astrid was—before handing each of the girls a piece of candy. “I hope you like them.”
Astrid watched them as they both removed the cellophane, popped the candy into their mouths, and smiled.
“Here.” Astrid held out her hand. “I’ll throw the wrappers away.”
Halley handed the wrappers over. “Good thinking.”
For a moment, Astrid felt a teensy bit guilty keeping something from the girls’... Charlie. But really, it was one candy. One candy couldn’t hurt a thing.
The door opened, the welcome bell jingled and Astrid turned to greet a new customer.
At well over six feet, the man was broad and fit. He wore casual business attire, a pale blue pressed button-down, brown slacks and polished leather shoes. At first glance, he looked like a businessman on a lunch break.
Until the tension rolling off the man flooded the room. He was struggling. Not only was the overlong hair mussed—a contradiction from his put-together appearance—but his jaw was clenched so tight it looked painful. He looked tormented. Conflicted. His hooded eyes were fixed on the girls.
The man drew in a deep breath and a visible shudder shook his large frame.
“May I help you?” Astrid’s words broke the awkward silence.
He didn’t even glance her way. “I was looking for my daughters. And now I’ve found them.”
Thiswas Charlie Driver?
“We only had one.” Nova’s eyes went so large they took up her entire face.
Halley elbowed her but didn’t say a word.
“Halley...” It was a hoarse whisper. He pressed his eyes shut, and took a deep breath—his jaw still clenched—before he ground out, “How about we get the bike into the car and head home.” He held the door open for them, the doorbell jingling again.
“Bye, Astrid. Bye, Miss Camellia.” Nova waved and walked to the door. “I would like to meet your bees, Astrid. If Charlie says it’s okay.” She looked up at the thundercloud of a man standing, silent, in the doorway and winced.
“I hope so.” Astrid smiled at the little girl. “It was very nice to meet you and Scorpio.”
“Scorpio says it’s nice to meet you, too.” She offered a parting smile, then walked outside to where Halley was waiting.
When Astrid glanced back at Charlie Driver, he seemed to be evaluating her. And he didn’t look the least bit happy. Then again, he didn’t look unhappy—or angry. In fact, Astrid had no idea what to make of the completely blank expression on the man’s face.
He left without a word, pulling the door shut behind him.
“What on earth was that about?” Aunt Camellia hurried to the front window. She didn’t bother to hide the fact that she was watching Charlie Driver carry the bike to Rebecca Wallace’s 1970 Buick Electra. He set the bike down, pulled open the back door, ran his fingers through his hair and attempted—rather forcefully—to wedge the bike into the back seat.
