Page 37

“I’m Remi, Uncle Colt’s friend.”

Abby smiled up at Remi, showing all of her tiny baby teeth. “You’re pretty.”

Colt wholeheartedly agreed. Remi was gorgeous, though she’d pinch the skin on the back of his arm if he ever said as much.

Remi knelt in front of little Abby. “Thank you! And have you looked in a mirror lately? You’re gorgeous too.”

Abby wrapped her arms around Remi’s neck, and Remi returned the hug. “I think we’re gonna be best friends,” Abby whispered.

Keeping his hold on Ben, Colt slid a hand around Remi’s back. Abby effectively took his place as Remi’s best friend, and he wasn’t the least bit upset.

And when Remi winked at him over Abby’s head, he gave every bit of his heart to the three people in his arms.

Chapter11

Remi

Remi dragged a brush through Abby’s hair, letting her fingers play in the dark waves. “I think that’ll work.”

Abby turned on her heels and looked up at Remi. “How do you know how to brush my hair without getting stuck in the knots? Mom always pulls, and it hurts.”

It wasn’t the first time Abby had casually mentioned her mom, and the single word stabbed Remi’s chest each time. Was she supposed to acknowledge the mom who wouldn’t be coming back or move on like she’d never been mentioned at all? “There are two secrets.” She ticked off the short list on her fingers. “First, use a little bit of water or detangling spray. Second, brush from the bottom up.”

Abby tilted her head and scrunched her cute nose. “How do you brush from the bottom up?”

Colt stepped into the bathroom doorway. “You two ready?”

“We were born ready,” Remi said, propping her hands on her hips.

Abby put a tiny hand over her mouth and giggled.

Colt rolled his eyes and jerked his head toward the stairs. “Good, ‘cause the train’s about to leave the station.”

Abby gasped. “We’re riding in a train!”

“No, no. Not a train. Just Uncle Colt’s truck again. He seems to think his truck is cooler than it really is.”

Abby laughed again. The kid was a true morning person, and Remi was glad to have another bright smile to accompany the beginning of her day. She held out an open hand, and Abby took it immediately. She was definitely a toucher, and she’d clung to Remi every chance she got.

Making their way down the stairs took a while when Abby’s legs were short and she insisted on taking them in half steps, getting a solid footing with both feet on each step.

“Remi, did your hair come like that?” Abby asked as she held tight to the railing.

“It did. I was born with red hair. Actually, it was lighter when I was your age.” Remi hadn’t spent much time fussing over her natural copper color. There wasn't much she could do to change it, considering she’d never had the extra funds to afford hair dye.

“Did your hair come like that too?” Remi asked back.

“Yeah. Mom said hers used to be dark like mine, but now it’s yellow like the sun.”

Another mention of the absent mom. Remi made a mental note to check the library for books on helping kids deal with loss. Surely, some expert had written a how-to book about coping.

At the bottom of the stairs, Colt waved his arms toward the door like a crossing guard. “Move those feet, Abby bug. We’re going to be late.”

“Relax. I’ll get us there in time,” Remi promised.

Colt shook a finger at her face. “No, you’re not driving. My shoulder is fine now, and you drive like the Dukes of Hazzard.”

“What’s that?” Ben asked.