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“I know. I’m not giving up my bed, though.”

“That’s fine. I always felt like you might have a ghost or two up there.”

“I’ll get you some blankets.” He went upstairs to get a pillow and a blanket, then brought them down to her. “Do you want me to start a fire for you?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Okay. Good night.”

“Good night. Thank you.”

He waved a hand over his head as he went up the stairs. Once upstairs, he undressed and dropped into bed.

It was still raining when Wilda woke up to get Caleb ready to leave the house with Mathias. As soon as they were gone, she poured coffee into a travel mug, heated a muffin, and left the house. She was anxious to get to work and hoped she’d finish painting the last wall so she could start on the trim.

She drove to Milo’s house and went in through the kitchen door. She stopped walking when she saw Rachel standing in front of the coffee maker in a T-shirt and pajama shorts.

“Oh, um…”

Rachel turned to her. “Oh my gosh, you scared me.”

“I’m sorry. I told Milo I was coming over early today.”

“He didn’t mention it. But we had a late night last night.” She held up a hand. “Not in the way you think. He rescued me from a giant spider.”

“A…spider?”

“Yes.” She shook her head. “This is so…not the image I want to portray to the parents of my students.”

“It’s fine. Not my business. Should I leave?”

“No. This isn’t what it looks like. Milo’s asleep. Do whatever you came to do.”

“Okay.”

“I’ll just pour myself a cup of coffee and get out of your hair.”

“Take your time. I’m going to the parlor.” Wilda crossed the room and walked through the dining room doors. Oh my gosh. So awkward. But it answered the question she’d had since meeting Milo. He was definitely dating Rachel.

Sunlight streamed through the window, giving Wilda plenty of light to work by. She laid the tarp on the floor beneath, then opened the can of charcoal paint. She painted a small section, then stepped back to look at it.

“Beautiful.”

At the sound of someone behind her, Wilda turned to see Rachel coming through the doorway. “Wow. Look at this.”

“Do you like it?”

“I love it.” She walked into the middle of the room. “Milo must be going nuts over this.”

“He seems to like it.”

“With you helping, I can actually see this project getting done before he’s too old to enjoy it.”

When Milo came through the door, they both turned to him. He looked a bit like a deer caught in the headlights.

“You’re here. Both of you are here.”

Wilda smiled. “Good morning.”