Page 6 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)

“Isn’t that completely unprecedented?” exclaimed Tami. “I heard that Argent never lets them be seen or photographed or anything. Except for Ginkgo, of course.”

“He’s very protective,” said Harrison. “However, he feels that Red Gate Farm is a safe place. With your permission, they’ll be staying here at the enclave. For … well, all the way until the end of the school year. Then they’ll carry me home.”

Tami’s expression softened. “That’s incredibly sweet.”

Ash blandly said, “I’m pretty sure it’s incredibly possessive . Like Harrison said, Argent’s very protective. And Harrison’s one of his now.”

Harrison swayed back in his seat and whispered, “Gosh.”

Kip spoke up then. “So these kids. Are you talking about your summer students? The crossers?”

“All of Argent’s children have mixed heritage. I could guess who’ll be here, but … well. I’m not allowed to talk about them.”

Faisel said, “I’ll see if Argent’s people can give me any details. So we can better prepare.”

Mom asked, “Will they speak English? Would they prefer Japanese food?”

Tami chimed in. “Do you think they’d be allowed to visit our school? Or Archer Middle or West Branch High, if those are more age appropriate?”

The conversation turned to places to go and things that international guests might like to do while in the area.

Ash came to sit across from Joe, picking up one of the other nutcrackers and setting to work.

He didn’t say anything. Maybe he was content to listen in, just like Joe.

But he’d always been good at this. At being there for Joe.

In a way, Ash was just as much Joe’s childhood friend as he was Kip’s.

Because during the years when Joe was a student at Landmark Elementary, he’d found this same quiet kindness in the presence of Mr. Black, one of the old guys who’d been janitor back then.

Except that it’d been Ash all along, hidden behind illusions, watching over his Landmark family.

Realizing his old friend was going to be his brother-in-law had been … okay. Ash was nice. But he was also Joe’s romantic rival. Or at the very least, his rival for Kip’s attention.

Harrison was saying, “I was hoping that Jacques would come as well, but his obligations will keep him at home.”

Joe remembered Jacques. A stylish gentleman with a British accent. He’d been very polite, but very out of place on a farm.

Another idea came out of nowhere, and Joe set aside the cracker and smoothed his fingers carefully over the filbert in his hands.

“Something on your mind?” Ash asked quietly.

“Oh. Umm.” He searched Ash’s face. “This would be the kind of seed they mean …? The golden ones?”

“Some, sure.” Ash sounded like he knew what he was talking about. “But they can be tiny things, like apple seeds or orange pips or cherry pits. I’ve heard of other shapes, too. Like pinecones.”

Joe mumbled, “I wonder …?”

Ash hummed, inviting more.

“I wonder what would have happened if there had been a golden seed for me.” He lamely added, “Then Kip wouldn’t have had to … step in.”

Dark eyes considered him, then lifted to a point above him.

Kip dropped onto a chair between them and planted his elbows on the table. “We need to start adding safeguards. Like … a lot of them.”

He was acting like he hadn’t heard. But Joe wasn’t so sure. Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything …?

Ash asked, “What kind of safeguards do you mean?”

Kip flashed his phone, which showed that he’d been texting on the side. With Jacques Smythe.

Crosser count will be seven.

His lordship is packing with you in mind.

And Jacques had tacked on two emojis.

A kissy face. And a squirrel.

“You know, I think Argent is still just the teensiest bit annoyed with me. This counts as revenge.”

“Oh, I see,” said Ash, looking amused.

Joe didn’t see. And he didn’t like that Kip and Ash were sending silent messages to each other. Ones Joe couldn’t interpret.

Then Kip’s arm was around Joe’s shoulders. “Jacques once threatened to foist a baby crosser on me. I’m betting Argent will bring him along special. Just to run me ragged.”

“That’s not revenge. You love kids.”

“I do. I totally do. But human kids are so easy.”

Ash helpfully explained, “Young squirrels are not.”

Joe didn’t see the problem. “Won’t that be perfect, though? We can show him the oak grove.”

“You’re totally right.”

“Assuming you’ve guessed right, leave the little guy to Joe,” suggested Ash. “All the squirrels I know adore him.”