Page 70 of Sherry and Sunflowers
"I know."
Zia blew a kiss at them and ran down the last few steps as soon as Grady opened his door. Reaves jogged down after her—until this moment he'd completely forgotten about her car seat. Hesoon had it set up in the back of Grady's car, and then he went to stand beside Alara as they watched them leave, Zia's little hand waving madly in the back window.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She stopped. He watched her decide to try again. "Actually—it just hit me that I didn't have her seat ready. I should have—"
"No.Ishould have had it ready. I told you the only thing you had to think about this morning was being ready to go. I said I'd cover the rest." He knew she'd give herself a hard time over it if he let her. "It's not a big deal anyway. She's safe in her seat and on her way. And we should get going, too."
"I think I have everything. I'm ready to go if you want to."
"You don't have everything yet. Come on. We have to stop and see Faye on our way out—I promised." He took her hand. "But what I really meant was, are you okay with Zia going off like that?"
She smiled. "I am and I'm not. I know it has to come. And I know it's good for her that she's making friends and getting out in the world without me. But I won't claim that it's easy."
He took her hand as they went back inside. "I can't say I know how you feel. But I think I'm having a taste of it. You've had her all her life—it must be so much harder for you. But I'm kind of torn up about watching her go off for the day like that."
She rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. "That's so sweet of you."
He gave her a puzzled look. "I wasn't trying to be sweet. I was telling you the truth."
When they made it to the kitchen, Faye came bustling toward them. "Here you go," she said, picking up a picnic basket from the island.
"What's this?" Alara asked.
"A few things to keep you going. I looked it up online, and from what I've read, it'll take a while, this appointment. It said maybe forty-five minutes, and they have to keep you sitting there for observation afterward as well. You're going to need something to eat."
When Alara turned to him, wide-eyed, Reaves couldn't hold in a laugh. "There's no point in arguing," he told her, lifting the cover on the basket. "And even if you were about to—please don't. I'll eat these if you don't want to."
Faye slapped his hand. "They're not for you. Well. Some of them are. But you make sure Alara eats, okay? There's chopped-up oranges and strawberries in there. Some of the cheese and spinach muffins." She waved a hand. "Anyway, I'm probably holding you up. You'll see the rest when you get there."
Alara stared at her for a few moments before stepping forward, holding her arms out.
Reaves loved seeing them hug.
Faye stepped back. "Go on, you'd better be on your way. I don't want to make you late."
"Thanks, Faye," he said, kissing her cheek. "We'll see you later."
When they were almost to the front door, she came hurrying down the hallway after them. "Here. Take this." She thrust ablanket at Reaves. "It might get cold in that room while she's sitting there."
"Thanks, I—"
"You're welcome," Faye told her, before turning to scowl at Reaves. "Don't look at me like that. It might come in handy. And if it doesn't, it's not as though it cost you anything to carry it, is it?"
"No. Sorry, Faye."
They all turned when his dad called, "Oh, there you are. I'm glad I didn't miss you." He hurried toward them and held his arms out awkwardly to Alara. "May I?"
Reaves had to swallow as he watched. Seeing the two of them hug was even more touching.
His dad looked a little embarrassed as he stepped back. "Anyway. I didn't mean to delay you. Just wanted to wish you good luck. And to let you know that I won't be around this evening—a friend's invited me for dinner." He smiled. "But that doesn't mean I'm neglecting my duties as Chief Enforcer of Rest. The family room's all set up for the three of you to hang out this evening and watch movies, or do as you please."
"Thank you, Charles."
"It's my pleasure. I'll see you later."
When they were finally out on the road, Reaves reached for her hand. She took his with a smile.
