“What about you?” Simon asked his younger son. “Case almost finished?”
“Wrapped it up today, right?” he asked Cara, who Nicole thought seemed quiet and out of sorts.
She nodded. Her face was paler than before. “Umm . . . excuse me,” she said, and darted out of the room.
Mike took off after her.
Eyes narrowed, Sam followed their quick departure. “Is she okay?”
A semi-smile lit Ella’s gaze, surprising Nicole. “Something tells me everything’s all right.”
Nicole met Sam’s gaze. They shrugged at each other, and soon Cara returned but Mike insisted they head out so she could get some rest, and nobody argued.
The rest of the meal passed pleasantly enough and the subject turned to an upcoming art festival, for which Nicole had seen flyers posted around town.
“I love seeing new artists,” Nicole said.
“Me too. And Tess Barron has a showing there,” Erin said. “She’s only sixteen and she’s an amazing artist.”
“That girl has been through so much. I’m happy for her,” Ella murmured.
Nicole knew there was a story there and figured she’d ask Sam another time. “I’d love to go. There’s a place in my new bedroom that needs a picture.”
“Oh, let’s go together, then,” Erin said. “Cole hates those things, so he can watch Angel.” The baby was sleeping in a crib Ella and Simon had set up in a spare room. “Sam, you can keep Cole company. Maybe change a diaper or two.”
“Or three,” Cole said, offering up the opportunity like it was the chance to win a gold medal.
“I think I’ll leave that to you,” Sam said to his brother-in-law.
“Chicken,” Cole muttered.
Ella laughed and rose to her feet. “On that note, I’ll clean up. Dessert in a few.”
Nicole pushed her chair back, prepared to help.
“No, no, you’re our guest. Sam, take her out back. The patio furniture’s all cleaned and we have citronella candles burning so the mosquitoes won’t eat you alive.”
Nicole heard the definitive tone and knew better than to argue. Apparently Sam felt the same way, because he rose and held out a hand.
Suddenly nervous, she slipped her palm into his big, warm one and followed him outside. The bluestone patio reminded her of the glimpse she’d gotten of Sam’s backyard. Four lounge chairs, an outdoor bar with three stools, a rectangular table and chairs with an umbrella in the center, and a fire pit. The surrounding lawn was green and lush, the plantings and flowers perfectly placed.
Everything about the small Marsden house called to something deep inside Nicole, the empty space never filled by her cold parents or their large house full of expensive things but lacking in warmth and love. In the short time here, she’d felt more welcomed and cared for than she ever had by her own family.
Her chest filled with a heaviness she fought against.
“What’s on your mind?” Sam asked perceptively, as he settled into a recliner and pulled her down with him.
She settled in beside him, resisting his attempt to pull her back against him so they could cuddle, her back to his front. She wanted to see his face when they talked, needed him to see hers. To understand.
“You’re lucky.” She wondered if he knew just how much more he had in life.
“How so?”
“Love. You were surrounded by it. Your parents are present in your lives. Not just physically but emotionally.”
Sam heard the catch in her voice and knew tonight’s conversation was important because she was going deep into herself, giving him insight into who she was and why.
“I’m not sure I ever thought about it that way,” he admitted. “Mike did because Simon adopted him.”