“Why don’t you pick out a couple of books to look at while you wait?” Savannah suggested. “Then we’ll chat about the park.”
“And the juice boxes?”
Savannah smiled. “And the juice boxes.”
Wren skirted the end of the sofa, dropped her blanket on the carpet and then pulled out a basket of books from the shelf under the television. One by one, she took every book from the basket and spread them on the floor.
“Oh my.” Levi dragged his hand over his face. “The messes. They just don’t stop.”
“That’s all right.” Savannah offered an empathetic smile and gently squeezed his arm. “I’ll help her clean up.”
He couldn’t help but notice that he enjoyed the warmth of her hand on his bare arm. Not that he’d admit that now. Instead, he angled his head toward the sugar trail. “By the way, guard the sugar closely.”
She craned her neck and surveyed the kitchen. “Noted. What happened?”
“She decided to make some cookies while I was taking a shower. Thankfully, she reminded me that she knows not to use the stove.”
Savannah tucked her hands in her back pockets. “She gets credit for safety awareness. I’ll limit personal grooming time to less than thirty seconds, though. Just to be extra safe.”
Levi chuckled. “You’re allowed to take bathroom breaks.”
“Okay, what else? Any allergies? Does she take any medication?”
“No and no. She just has a lot of energy.” He retrieved the broom and dustpan, swept up the sugar, and disposed of it in the trash can under the window. “I wrote down my phone number, my mom’s number and the number at the store.”
“How about Poison Control and Search and Rescue?” Savannah teased.
Warmth crawled up his neck. Yeah, okay, so maybe he’d gone a little overboard. “I’m just making sure you have everything you need.”
“I’m sorry,” Savannah said. “I shouldn’t make jokes. Thank you for the information. I promise I will take excellent care of Wren, and we’ll have a great time.”
Levi lifted his keys from the basket on the counter and pocketed his phone. “There are plenty of options for lunch in the fridge and the pantry. She’ll try to get you to make her macaroni and cheese, but you don’t have to. In case you haven’t noticed, she wants to go to the park. Her nap time is at one thirty, and—”
Savannah held up her hand to interrupt. “Levi, I’ve got this. You can go.”
“Right. Thanks again.” Flustered, he scooted past her on his way to the door. “See you, Wren. Be good.”
She didn’t even look up from her book. “Bye.”
He left and jogged to his truck, keys jangling in his hand. For the first time in three weeks, a sense of calm washed over him. Thanks to Savannah, he had the freedom to focus on his job at the store instead of constantly dividing his attention and feeling guilty. He was still surprised she’d agreed to help him at all. Admittedly, his method for convincing her had required confessing he still wasn’t over Tori, something he wasn’t thrilled about sharing. But Savannah seemed like she could use a friend. Besides, maybe taking good care of Wren, managing his responsibilities at the store and showing up for reunion events would prove to himself and everyone else that he’d bounced back from his failed engagement.
Wow, the girl really loves that dress. Savannah carefully set the filthy princess dress on top of Levi’s washing machine in the hallway closet. It had taken quite a bit of persuading, but finally, she had Wren convinced that a pair of pink leggings and a pale blue T-shirt would work better for a trip to the park.
“Wren?” Savannah crossed to the spare bedroom and knocked softly on the closed door. “Have you finished changing?”
The muffled sound of paper crinkling made her pause and lean closer. “It’s time to leave. Are you ready?”
Wren opened the door. She refused to meet Savannah’s gaze. A guilty expression drifted across her face. She was wearing the clean clothes, like they’d discussed, and she’d accessorized with a ball cap advertising a team Savannah had never heard of. No worries. Fashion and rooting for a particular team were not her concern. Getting that dress washed had been her angle.
Before turning away, she quickly scanned the bedroom. Wren blocked the doorway and had her hands behind her back. Was she hiding something?
“Do you need to use the bathroom before we go?”
Wren nodded, then scooted past her and darted into the bathroom. Once the door was closed, Savannah stepped into the bedroom. What a cute space for a little girl. A twin bed with an adorable pink-and-white comforter shoved to the end sat against the opposite wall. Levi had added a matching white dresser, nightstand and desk. Someone had hung white curtains dotted with small pink flowers over the window. A small red cardboard box wedged between the nightstand and the bed caught her eye. She moved closer. It was a variety pack of snacks. The box top had been ripped off. Only three packages remained. Savannah lifted the pillow on the twin bed and found another pack of cookies stashed there.
Her chest pinched. Oh, Wren. Why?
The toilet flushed. Savannah hurried out into the hall. By the time Wren had emerged from the bathroom, Savannah was already back in the living room. She’d focus on keeping Wren safe today. Now was not the time to confront her about the hidden food.
“I heard there’s a fantastic pirate ship at the park. Have you seen it yet?” Savannah picked up the insect-repellent container Levi had left for her on the counter and tucked it in the side of Wren’s backpack.
“Nope.” Wren bopped around Levi’s living room, twirling and humming. Savannah stopped and surveyed the rustic A-frame. Modern furniture, neat stacks of books and a few framed photos made it feel like a home. The vaulted ceilings and broad expanse of windows granted a breathtaking view of the mountains. A grassy meadow offered privacy from Levi’s closest neighbors. Through a line of mature trees, she glimpsed a section of the Poplar River flowing lazily through his property.
“Can we go now?” Wren stopped twirling and hurried toward her. “I’m bored.”
“Yep. Let’s do it.” Savannah skimmed the notes Levi had left one more time. Lunch packed. Sunscreen, water bottle and emergency contact info all present and accounted for. She swung Wren’s pink-and-purple backpack onto her shoulder. “We’re ready, kiddo.”
“Can we have milkshakes after?”
Savannah hesitated. Levi hadn’t mentioned anything about that. “Milkshakes. Where?”
“At the milkshake place.”
Savannah stifled a smile. “We’ll see. But lunch first. And Levi says that you also have an afternoon nap. Is that true?”
Wren pushed out her lower lip.
Savannah waited. Please tell the truth. She so wanted Wren to trust her enough to be honest.
