Forbidden Falls (Virgin River #9)(96)

“I went to a table by myself and then some other kids sat there, too. Except they were already together. So I was with them, but by myself.”

“Tomorrow Danielle is going to take some extra cookies in her lunch,” Jo said. “Sometimes if you have something to share, it gets conversation going.”

“There’s one boy in my class who’s in trouble all the time. I think he’s one of them hyperactive boys. He sits in the hall a lot when he makes Mrs. Spencer’s head hurt.”

“Why do you think that? That he’s hyperactive?”

“Mrs. Spencer said, ‘Joshua, did your mother remember your medicine this morning?’ and he said he wasn’t sure. And, Mama, he’s a wiggle worm and he makes a mess and picks his boogers.”

“Ew,” Ellie said. “Goodness.” She saw Jo’s shoulders shake with laughter.

“I don’t sit by him,” Danielle said. “But I like Mrs. Spencer. Mama, do you think I’ll be in that class very long?”

Oh, God, Ellie thought. She’s already worrying about moving again. “I don’t know, honey. We’re going to have to take it one day at a time.”

“Danielle, help your mother set the table and we’ll run through the spelling words one more time before bed,” Jo said. “How does that sound?”

“Good,” she said, putting her notebook aside.

“Set the table for five,” Jo said. “We’ll just eat in the kitchen tonight. And remember place mats.”

When dinner was done, Ellie got her kids ready for bed, then went back to the kitchen to help clean up dishes. Then back to the bathrooms to make sure they were cleaned up, tubs scoured, sinks wiped out, towels hung. And before long the house had quieted down, with only the sound of the TV in Nick’s den.

Jo came back to the kitchen after kisses good-night and got down a couple of mugs. “Will a cup of coffee keep you up?” she asked Ellie.

“Not if I just stick to one,” she said.

“Good. Let’s talk. I can feel the rough edges, Ellie. You’re worried about taking advantage of me, about eating my food and straining the space in my house. I want you to let that go. I asked for this arrangement because, selfishly, all my life I have wanted to have family around. And even though we’re not related by blood, we’ve become good friends. Please, don’t be in a hurry to leave as some favor to me.”

“This will be resolved soon, Jo. The judge isn’t going to have any excuse to keep me from having custody…”

“I know,” Jo said. “But nothing has to change, Ellie. Even Nick is happy with our situation. Can’t you tell? I’m certainly not going to pressure you to stay—it’s your life and your family. But, if you’re okay with this—”

“Jo, I can’t let you feed us, shelter us, drive my kids around forever. It would be irresponsible of me.”

“Fine,” Jo said. “Pay your rent on time. Go to the grocery store sometimes. Help with chores, just like you’ve been doing. Earn your keep. But what we have here is a safe environment for you and the kids, comfortable living conditions, and you even have a little privacy with that room over the garage—a single woman your age should have a little privacy now and then. Ellie, you’re not a burden. You fill a place in my life that’s been empty for a long time.”

“You know we can’t live like this forever.”

“If things work out for you, even if you don’t live in my house, we might be in the same town for a long time. I might be able to meet the school bus while you’re working. We might shop together, have tea on the porch, and I’d love to teach you to quilt, if you’re interested. My mother was a master quilter. And have you ever canned? Because the fruits and vegetables from the farmers’ markets and roadside stands in this part of the country are just incredible. I’ll show you how. Oh!” Jo said, noticing a tear on Ellie’s cheek. “I’m being too pushy, aren’t I?”

Ellie shook her head. “I don’t deserve you,” she said in a whisper. “I think you’re the best friend I’ve ever had. At least since my gramma…”

Jo shrugged. “Honey, you’re my only shot at something that resembles a daughter and grandchildren. And I intend to nurture the opportunity. I’m just saying—this is your home for as long as you want it.”

Ellie hugged Jo good-night at the front door and went to her room—the room she loved. She took a book with her—a romance novel that Jo thought she might enjoy. She put on her comfy boxers and T-shirt, propped herself up in her double bed with the firm mattress and read for a couple of hours, feeling completely decadent and self-indulgent. And relaxed.

There was a soft knock at the door and she glanced at the time on the bedside clock radio; it was after ten. She opened the door and smiled at Noah.

“Never do that again,” he said sternly. “We don’t really know how far we can trust Arnold.” And then he brushed past her to enter.

“I knew it was you, Noah,” she said, closing the door. “I could hear Lucy panting.”

“You thought you knew it was me. It could have been Arnold panting. I don’t think it would take much to say, ‘Who’s there?’ before you open the door.”