Page 88 of Maple Mountain
“She called it the Ridge,” Archer said when Lenni was out of earshot.
“Yeah, she did.”I smiled.“Good sign.”
He nodded in agreement.“Aside from getting suspended after only two days of school, she’s settling in okay.Don’t you think?”
“I do.”
“But?”he prodded.
“No buts.”
He paused for a moment and then asked, “We’ve entered holiday territory.I should expect a meltdown or two, shouldn’t I?”
“It’s a safe bet,” I said with a winsome smile.
“What should I get her for Christmas?”he asked.
“No idea.”
“Seriously?Youhave no idea what to get her for Christmas?”
“I didn’t say that,” I stated.“I said I have no idea whatyoushould get her for Christmas.There’s a difference.”
Mildred scratched at the back door.I let her in and then headed toward the refrigerator.
“What are you getting Lenni?”he asked.
I shook my head.“I’m not telling you.”
“That’s not fair.”
I grinned as I gave Mildred her pre-bedtime snack.She crunched on the carrot, and I swore she smiled in happiness.
“I’ll tell you what: I’ll go shopping with you,” I said.“Help you pick something out.”
“It’s got to be really good,” he said.“It’s her first Christmas with me.I have eleven Christmases to make up for.”
“That’s your first mistake.”
“What is?”
“You can’t get her one gift and expect it to make up for all the years you didn’t get to spend together.”
His maple-colored eyes turned somber.“It’s just a reminder that I didn’t get to see her.I don’t have photos or anything.I don’t even know what she looked like as a baby.”
Mildred trotted out of the kitchen and headed for the stairs.Her nails clacked lightly against the wooden steps as she went in search of Lenni.
“I’m making tea.You want some?”I asked him.
He sighed.“Not really.”
“Bourbon?”
“Yeah, that’s more like it.”
I nodded.After turning on the stove burner to let the water boil, I went to the cupboard and pulled out a rocks glass.The bourbon was on top of the cabinet, and I stood on my toes in an attempt to reach it, but somehow, even I was too short.
Archer slid up next to me, so close that his shirt brushed mine.He raised his arm and easily grasped the bottle.He held it in his hand as he turned to stare at me, but I refused to glance at him.
