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“Yes, but—”
Henry heaved a heavy sigh. “Good. That’s a relief. I thought for a second I’d have to explain to Wade and Brielle that I’d jumped the gun and gotten you a bunch of stuff you didn’t want.”
“That’s the thing, I don’t—”
He frowned. “You don’t want them?”
“I do, it’s just—”
“Then I don’t understand why we’re having this conversation. You like the clothes. They fit. What’s the problem?”
“Will you let me get a word in edgewise? I was trying to say that I don’t think it’s a good idea to have all of it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s too much. What happens when I…” She pulled her lower lip into her mouth and chewed it. “…leave? It’s just not practical.”
“The heck with it being practical. If it fits in that suitcase, then you can take it. People live out of suitcases all the time.” Henry gave her a pointed look. “All I’m saying is you shouldn’t just throw out a good idea without trying it first.”
“And if I want to leave tomorrow? That doesn’t give me much time to test it out.”
He didn’t know what to say to that one. “Do you want to leave tomorrow?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” she whispered.
Henry got to his feet, plate in hand. “Well, when you figure that part out, how about you let me know? In the meantime, really make sure everything fits. I’m not sure about the return policy on most of it.” He took a step toward the door. “I’m going to turn in. I get up pretty early. You’re free to do whatever you’d like.”
Was there a chance that she might take her stuff and run? Absolutely. But something told him that he was getting through to her. Athena wanted a place to call home. Why else would she open up to him like this?
“Wait!”
He stopped.
“You’re going to bed?”
A wry smile touched his lips. “That’s what I said.”
“But… it’s still so early. How can you sleep when it’s light out?”
Henry chuckled. “That’s what drapes are for.”
Athena rose to her feet. “You’re just going to leave me alone to contend with your family?” There was an edge to her voice that wasn’t there before. He could almost hear the fear creeping to the surface.
“You had dinner with everyone. They didn’t bite.”
“I don’t know. Hudson seems to be pretty ornery about my presence.”
He leaned against the railing, understanding flooding his countenance. “You’re worried that they’re going to judge you. You’re giving my family too much credit. I told you about my parents. Everyone in that house has had to deal with varying degrees of judgment from people in this town. We’ve all overcome it. If Hudson doesn’t like you here, it’s only because he really wanted that room.” Henry chuckled. “I know, that sounds really stupid, but you will never understand until you have had to be raised in a family with twelve kids. Some days it was every man for himself—at least when it came to sharing with each other.”
“I suppose that’s one thing I can be grateful for.”
He stilled. “What’s that?”
“I never had to fight for anything like that. Did I have to find ways to survive? Of course. But even when I was in the foster system, there was always a clear line drawn in the sand as to what was and wasn’t okay for me to claim.” She gave him a sad smile. “It’s probably very different when you’re fighting a family member for something versus when you’re just making sure you have enough to move on to the next place.”
“Do you like that? Moving on to the next place?” Henry knew he was playing with fire. If he pushed too hard, it wouldn’t take much for her to withdraw from him. But every little bit of information he could get from her, the better.
“I wouldn’t say I like it,” she said quietly. “It’s all I’ve ever known. If you don’t stay in one place for too long, then you don’t grow attached to anything.” Her eyes darted to meet his and then dropped. “Or anyone.”
