His eyes brightened, and his smiled widened. He watched her as she untied the purple strings and peeked inside. She pulled out a small box and lifted the lid to see a silver keychain in the shape of a turtle lined with green gemstones. “How’d you know I love turtles?”
“You told me once not long after you got here, while taking a walk to birdwatch with me.”
The conversation surfaced to her memory, and she was touched that he’d remembered that detail. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Did April catch the bus yet?”
“No, it’s a snow day, but she doesn’t know it yet.”
“Perfect.” His eyes gleamed, and he was quite proud of himself for whatever gift he’d chosen for April. “Her gift goes with Dex’s. It’s a shared one.”
Beth propped a hand on her hip and trained her gaze on him. “What did you get?”
His lips twitched. “Well…remember when they asked for a kitten?”
Her eyes bulged. “You did not get them a kitten!”
“Not a real one, but your expression was priceless.” He opened the largest bag and pulled out a stuffed animal. “My great-niece has one of these and loves it. It’s supposed to be almost identical to a real kitten.”
She recognized the toy. It had been on April’s Christmas list, but had a price higher than Beth had budgeted to spend. “You shouldn’t have spent that kind of money.”
“Pshaw.” Mr. Lejeune clucked his tongue. “It’s my money, and I can’t take it with me. However, if it makes you feel better, I got it last month when the Christmas toys were all marked clearance.”
“They’ll love it.” She softened her tone, grateful her children had people who cared for them. “Thank you for thinking of them.”
Hunter entered the room and groaned. “Why’s everyone going crazy for Valentine’s Day. It’s a made-up holiday for the card and candy companies.”
“Don’t be a poor sport.” She rolled her eyes at him and ignored the disappointment that pricked her. Hunter’s opinion of Valentine’s Day had no effect on her life, whatsoever.
“I’m ready, Mommy.” April bounded into the dining room with her backpack hanging haphazardly off her shoulder.
Beth realized that had it not been a snow day, April would have missed the bus. She put aside the guilt of not having paid enough attention. “What have you been doing for twenty minutes?”
“It’s library day and I almost forgot my book, then I thought that I wanted to read it again before turning it in.” April hung her head. “Am I in trouble?”
“I’ll let it go this time.” Suppressing her laughter, Beth simply smiled and patted her daughter’s shoulder. “You’re lucky that it’s a snow day, but you need to focus on your given task, okay?”
“I will. Promise, Mommy.”
Beth couldn’t be too hard on her, when as a mom, it was her responsibility to ensure her six-year-old stayed on task. “Why don’t you put your backpack away and play with your brother until after breakfast.”
“It’s really a snow day?” April’s lips quivered.
“Yes, it is.”
April burst into tears. “But I wanted to have a party, and hand out my cards I made, and eat all the treats.”
“I know, sweetheart, but maybe they’ll still have it Monday when you go back to school.”
“That’s not the same.”
She didn’t have time for this today. Though she understood April’s disappointment and wanted to be the mom who made it all better, she had responsibilities to take care of. The fact she couldn’t take a few hours off today to distract her daughter from a missed party ate at her, but she couldn’t toss her job to the wind. Especially not on the biggest day of the year for the bed and breakfast.
“What if we have our own party here?” Hunter stooped down to be eyelevel with April. He glanced to Beth as if seeking her permission.
She sighed. How could she say no now that the idea was out there? She couldn’t have April disappointed a second time. “It will have to be small.”
“It will be epic.” Hunter grinned then looked her way. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of everything.”
Beth relaxed. She could count on Hunter, and he’d make the day special for the kids. Maybe he wasn’t as anti-Valentine’s Day as he wanted everyone to believe.
“Do we get the brownies?” April glanced at the tray sitting on the counter.
“Absolutely.” Hunter straightened his legs and stood upright. “And popcorn, and juice, and cookies.”
“Can we make cards for each other?”
Hunter winked. “What’s a Valentine’s Day party without cards?”
“Yay. I’m going to find Dex and tell him.” April ran out of the dining room before Beth could tell her to slow down.
She turned to Hunter. “Sure you’re up for this?”
“How hard can a Valentine’s party be?”
“You have three sisters. Do you really need to ask?”
His eyes widened and he sucked in a breath as he walked away, leaving her laughing in his wake.
Mr. Lejeune chuckled, and his eyes twinkled. “How about I give the kids their gift and help Hunter out?”
She sent him an appreciate smile. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Chapter Three
Hunter sat on a chair two sizes too small for him and sipped “tea” from a toy plastic cup with a princess painted on the side. The impromptu Valentine’s Day party had turned into a tea party at April’s request, after Dex had insisted they all pretend to be robots for a half hour.
He was exhausted. His ears hurt from April and Dex’s constant chatter and battle to capture his sole attention. His head hurt from trying to keep up with April’s sudden change in topics. Yet, despite it all, he’d had the best morning he’d had in a long time. Keeping up with the kids was a lot of work, but the payment came in laughter and smiles.
He shifted his position. Before he realized what was happening, he fell off the kid-sized chair. He thrust his hand out to break the fall, but it did little good due to the short time between processing the fall and hitting the ground.
April and Dex giggled, and then feminine laughter reached his ears. He looked up to see Beth standing in the doorway. “Are you okay?”
“Other than a bruised ego, I’m fine.” He brushed off the crumbs that attached to his hand when he hit the floor. “In my defense, the chair wasn’t made for an adult.”
“You don’t say.” Her eyes danced with merriment, something they rarely did, and it looked good on her. She walked toward him and extended a hand to help him up.
Though he didn’t need the assistance, he accepted it anyway and stood to his feet. “Thanks.”
Her eyes scanned the messy table. “Did I miss all of the party.”
“We’re having a tea party. Come join us, Mommy.” April tugged Beth’s hand and had her sit in the chair he’d fallen from.
With his sticky hands, Dex made her a plate with a half-eaten brownie and popcorn. “This is for you.”