Читать книгу A Family Like Hannah's - Carol Ross - Страница 14

CHAPTER SIX

HANNAH INHALED THE tangy scent of citrus as she quartered an orange, tossed it into the pond, and watched the happy koi pounce on the treat. A growl from her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten since her very early breakfast that morning. There had been doughnuts at the board meeting, but she’d been too edgy to eat. Turned out, her anxiety had been well placed.

Her spirits sank further as she realized how much Tate’s ownership share and accompanying seat on the board would weaken her own position.

But why would he invest in Snowy Sky? Why would he want to be on the board of directors? He had tons of other business interests and plenty of money of his own.

Tossing in another wedge of fruit, she forced herself to take a deep breath. Leaning back on the bench, she began peeling an orange for herself and tried to think about something else. The ficus tree across the pond caught her eye and she thought of Lucas.

An absolutely adorable child, although there was something about him. Something not quite right. He seemed anxious and too serious for a six-year-old. Hearing the swoosh of the door, she turned, hoping to see Lucas’s eager grin, which she did along with...

Tate?

Thoughts and questions tumbled through her brain; Lucas was Tate’s son? She realized now how the resemblance had been skirting around in her brain—those eyes, the dark hair and the shape of their faces. Why hadn’t she seen it sooner? Lucas had said his mom was dead, but that would make Tate a widower? She was sure she would have remembered if he’d ever been married.

Wait. Tate had leased Edith’s home? This atrium, this house? Her sanctuary and refuge temporarily belonged to Tate? Did this also mean he intended to remain in Rankins for an entire year? No, that couldn’t be. Hadn’t he disrupted her plans—her life, enough already?

Lucas released Tate’s hand and continued forward; Tate appeared to be frozen in place. Lucas galloped toward her and that seemed to snap him out of his shock, but he looked about as pleased as she felt.

“Careful, little man, I don’t want you to slip and fall.”

She was unhappily surprised, too, to put it mildly, but she pasted on a smile for Lucas’s sake.

“Lucas, hey! How’s my assistant koi keeper today?”

He replied, “I’m good. This is my uncle Tate. We were wondering if you could babysit me?” He gestured at Tate and then dipped his chin toward the oranges. “What are you doing with those?”

“Hello, Uncle Tate.” Hannah quirked a brow at him. “Babysit?”

“I didn’t realize who...that you were... Lucas said...”

She hoped her stare served to further stir his obvious discomfort. She adopted a bright, more genuine smile for Lucas. “I’m feeding the koi a nice healthy snack. These guys love oranges and other fruit, too.”

He grinned, clearly not sure whether to believe her. “No way.”

“Yes way, do you want to do me a favor and feed them some?”

“Sure,” he answered. He picked up an orange. She quartered another, and handed it over. He tossed a portion into the pond and let out a giggle of delight as several fish glided through the water and set about nibbling on it. He slowly skirted around the pond, keeping an eye on the fish as he went. He slipped the whole orange he was carrying into a pocket.