3
Malichai glanced at his watch as they finished cleaning the kitchen and setting it up for making dinner that night. Amaryllis had already started the huge casseroles of lasagna and slathered butter and garlic salt on loaves of sourdough bread she was serving for dinner. He didn’t understand how she was still on her feet.
“What are you still doing in here?” Marie asked as she walked in. She had a little girl by the hand.
Malichai smiled at the child, knowing from long experience his looks tended to intimidate children. He crouched down so he was closer to her size. “You’re every bit as beautiful as your mother is. I’m Malichai. What’s your name?”
The child blinked at him and then slowly smiled. “Jacy.”
“That’s a really nice name.”
“Do you know my daddy?”
Malichai glanced up at Marie. She was standing very still, almost as if she were frozen or would shatter if she moved. There was no help there.
“No, honey, I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to know him, but he was a very good man.”
The child nodded solemnly, her blond curls bobbing up and down. “You’re like him. I can tell.” She reached out and touched one of the smaller scars he had on his jaw. It curved down his neck. That was one that had nearly killed him.
“Jacy.” Marie’s voice was filled with warning.
“I don’t mind,” Malichai said. “My friend Wyatt has triplets. Three little girls, and another set of twins were just born. All girls.”
Marie’s eyes widened and she exchanged a look of shock with Amaryllis. “Five? They have five little girls?”
Malichai nodded. “We all live close and help raise them. It’s easy to fall in love with them, although the triplets are little tornadoes. We have to watch them all the time. What one doesn’t think of, another will.” He didn’t bother to try to keep the affection from his voice.
Marie laughed, the sound genuine, rolling through the kitchen, making Amaryllis and Jacy smile. “I can’t imagine having three the same age and then twins. How old are the triplets?”
He flashed a grin as he straightened up. His leg was giving him fits and it took effort not to wince. He felt Amaryllis’s gaze on him, but he didn’t look to see if she’d observed any weakness. “They’re around two. I’m not so good with ages. How old are you, Jacy?”
“Five. I go to school,” she added proudly.
“Very smart,” Malichai said. “I’ve been doing dishes.”
“Are you Amaryllis’s boyfriend?”
“Not yet, but I thought I’d take her out to get something to eat. We’ve been working all day together, and so far she hasn’t hit me over the head with a frying pan.” He winked at the little girl. “That probably means she likes me. And”—he lowered his voice conspiratorially—“we both have the same favorite book, although she’s not as fast at reading as I am.”
He stole a quick glance at Amaryllis. She had her hand over her mouth, muffling her laughter, but her eyes were dancing as she looked at Marie, shaking her head at what she considered Malichai’s nonsense. He wasn’t so sure he was acting for the child. He liked Amaryllis. The more time he spent in her company, the happier he was. He liked the way she worked so hard to help Marie. She had compassion in her, a good work ethic, and she knew how to cook. He admired all three traits. She also had a great sense of humor, something he considered an absolute must in anyone who was friends with him.
Jacy nodded solemnly again and then looked up at her mother. “Can Amaryllis go eat with Malichai?” She stumbled over his name but managed to pronounce it adequately.
“I believe she can. We have time before we have to serve dinner tonight.”
Malichai sent Amaryllis a grin. “I guess that means you’ll have to show me where the best place to eat lunch is. We’re a little late for it, but that’s all right.”
“This is the best place to eat,” Amaryllis said. “But there’s a nice little café just down the block. We can get our food and eat on their patio overlooking the beach.”
“Sounds perfect. We won’t be long,” he assured Marie. “Is there anything you need while we’re out?”
“Malichai.” Marie tried to sound stern. “You’re a guest here.”
“Maybe, but Nonny wouldn’t want me to be a self-centered guest. Doing a few dishes or lending a hand where it’s needed is a good thing and I don’t mind. We’ll be right back.” He switched his attention to Jacy. “I was going to put on your mom’s apron, but it didn’t fit. Do you think I can find one in my size?”
The child studied him and then shook her head. “I don’t think so, Malichai, but Mommy sews on a machine. She could make you one.”
He nodded. “That sounds perfect. I’ve needed one for a while. Maybe she could make me one and I can do dishes until the dishwasher is fixed. That’s a fair exchange, don’t you think?”
Jacy thought it over and then agreed. “Yes.”
Malichai gave Marie a triumphant smile. “Looks like I’m your official dishwasher in exchange for an apron I can take home with me. The girls will get a kick out of it. If you can, would you mind putting pockets in it so I can put some things in it for the girls to find when they’re helping me?”
“Do you really want me to make you an apron?” Marie asked.
“Yes, please, if it’s not too much trouble. I can do dishes, since I don’t have the first clue how to do this vacation thing. I’m having fun just getting to know the three of you.” For him, it was far better than sitting alone on a beach.
Amaryllis put her hand on his arm. The moment she did, a tingle of awareness crept down his spine and entered his bloodstream, like tiny little champagne bubbles. He felt them moving through his veins, spreading through his body, a slow assault that just kept growing.
“If we’re really going to do this and we want time to enjoy it, we’ll have to leave now,” she said.
Even her voice seemed to stroke along his nerve endings. He wasn’t so certain being alone with her, even in the light of day with people around them, was all that good of an idea. He turned his hand and caught hers, threading their fingers together.
“You’re right, let’s go.” He waved at Jacy and let Amaryllis lead him into the open air.
The moment they stepped outside, the view was amazing. “The bed-and-breakfast has the perfect location. No wonder Marie has a waiting list to get in half the time.” He nearly groaned aloud. That was a big mistake. The investigation had turned that piece of information up. He’d gotten a reservation because there had been a cancellation.