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“I liked a boy at school, and everyone said he liked me too, but he kept teasing me and being mean. I didn’t know what to think.” Her eyes met mine again, filled with confusion and vulnerability. “Then he asked me if I wanted to be his girlfriend because he really liked me. I sort of wanted to say yes, and everyone said I should, but I didn’t like the way he teased me and stuff. It was really confusing, and I didn’t know what to do.” She shrugged. “I didn’t want to bother you with it, because I was embarrassed. Then at swimming lessons Wolfe noticed I was a bit flat and bought me a hot chocolate to cheer me up.” Her smile returned. “I asked him if he was ever mean to a girl he really liked.” She stopped and let out a giggle. “He nearly said ‘fuck no,’ but cut himself off just in time!”
“I can imagine,” I replied wryly. “Did he answer your question?”
“Yeah, he did. He said if you like a girl, you let her know she’s the most important thing in the world to you. You treat her like a queen. And you, Ariel, are a queen in waiting. Don’t let any snot-nosed kid make you feel otherwise.” She drank the last of her tea. “So, anyway, I decided I don’t want to be Jeremy’s girlfriend.”
Yessss!“That sounds like a good idea and I’m super glad Wolfe could help you with it.”
“Me too. I’ve got a bit of homework to do.”
“Okay.”
She uncurled from the sofa and held her hand out for my empty mug. I handed it over and watched as she headed into the kitchen to put our mugs in the dishwasher. She seemed so much more self-assured than she’d been at breakfast just this morning. The fact that Wolfe was the catalyst for the change in Ariel’s mood had not escaped my notice.You let her know she’s the most important thing in the world to you. You treat her like a queen.
I pushed up from the couch, lost in thought, as I wandered down the hall to let the kids know it was time for bed.
CHAPTER38
Wolfe
Adull quiet filled my house in Esperance, making me feel restless. A quick glance at the clock on my office wall let me know it was just past one o’clock and I felt my heart sink. Nothing on this earth could compel Esme to reach out and ask me for help, it seemed. Even on a day like today, when there was no way she could do everything she needed to do on her own. Frowning with irritation, I tried to concentrate on the reports Grayson had sent me.
Only ten minutes had passed when my phone buzzed loudly on my desk. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly grabbed the phone, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hey, Esme.”
“Wolfe, hey,” Esme’s voice came through, a touch of nervousness in her tone. “I’m in a bit of a jam here.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Do you need a hand?”
“Um, yeah, I do, if it’s not too much of a hassle. I mean, I guess I could get Ariel to watch the kids for an hour or so, but you know, I try to avoid that as much as possible and if you’re able to help me out, it means I can spend a bit of time at the library, cramming for this online exam I’ve got at five o’clock.”
She was rambling, and it was fucking adorable. There was a wicked part of me that wanted to make her work a bit harder for it, but I loved her too much for that, so I let her off the hook. “So what you’re saying is you need someone to get the kids from school, and then take Florian for his guitar lesson.”
There was silence for a moment. “How did you know about Florian’s lesson?”
“You gave me access to your calendar weeks ago, Esme.” She didn’t need to know I checked it daily.
“Oh, that’s right. I did.” Another silence. “So it’s really not too much hassle? I mean, it’s a big drive from Raleigh, just to run around after the kids.”
“I’m in Esperance today.” She also didn’t need to know that I’d deliberately arranged a site visit and then working from the home office, just in case this very scenario occurred. “I can easily get the kids, take Florian and wait at home with them until after your exam.”
“Thank you so much. I really, really appreciate it.”
“Don’t mention it.”
The call ended, and I grinned like an idiot, thrilled by the chance to be there for her and the kids when she asked. It was a small thing, but it felt significant, a sign that Esme was finally figuring out that she could rely on me.
Two hours later, standing next to my car at the elementary school, Tiana and Belle came through the gate and saw me.
“Wolfe!” Belle cried out, her eyes wide and sparkling with excitement. She sprinted towards me, her school bag bouncing on her back, and I caught her in a warm hug.
“Hey!”
“I didn’t know you were picking us up today!”
“Neither did I!”
Tiana, trying to play it tough, gave me a high five, but her grin was a mile wide. Then Florian came out. He didn’t even try to hide his excitement. “This is awesome! Did you come to take me to my guitar lesson?”
“I sure did. Esme has an online exam this afternoon and needs to cram for it, so you’re mine for the rest of the day.”