Robert didn’t think he had said it loud enough for Addison to hear, but he had, and she did, and her reaction was instinctual. She couldn’t help but look at his twisted hand and then lowering her eyes, she noticed that like his hand, his right foot was curled slightly inward. Addison quickly decided Robert Sheppard was a contradiction in terms. He appeared weak, yet he was strong, and even though his intrusion had interrupted her nightly routine, Addison found herself intrigued by the old man.

“Why did you come down here?” she asked, offering her arm for support as Robert got to his feet.

Now knowing he was a mere boarder in the house, Robert said, “No reason.”

For a split-second, Addison believed him, but when she heard the man’s stomach growl rather loudly, she said, “Did you have dinner?”

“Don’t remember,” Robert said, unable to look the woman in the eye. “Now...where’s that lift?”

Sensing a bit of duplicity, Addison grinned. “Mr. Sheppard, are you hungry?”

Before he could answer, Robert’s stomach grumbled again.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Addison said, watching as the tips of the man’s ears began to redden.

Robert let out a sigh. “It’s all right, lass. I can wait until morning. Now, where’s that lift hiding?”

“The lift is over there,” Addison said, motioning with her head. “But the kitchen is that way,” she said, pointing in the opposite direction. “I was actually about to raid the freezer when I...when I bumped into you. Tell me, Mr. Sheppard, do you like ice cream?”

***

“This is bloody marvelous!” Robert announced, diving his spoon into the container of coconut and lime ice cream. Taking another taste, he spun the container in his hand. “I never had this brand before. Quite creamy, isn’t it?”

For the last half hour, Addison had stood there casually eating her black currant ice cream while Robert had devoured one small container of mint chocolate chip, before starting on the coconut and lime. She could never remember anyone taking so much joy in eating something as simple as ice cream and her appreciation showed on her face. “Yes, it is.”

“Good color, too.”

Addison lifted her head. “What’s that?”

“The color,” he said, tipping the container in her direction. “It’s my favorite.”

“Green?”

“Yeah, it reminds me of life.”

“Life?”

“Yep,” Robert said before spooning more of the creamy sweetness into his mouth.

Addison cocked her head to the side. “How’s that?”

“It’s like the grass and the trees. The greener they are, the more alive they are. Don’t you think?”

“I never thought of it that way, but I suppose you’re right,” Addison said with a nod. She placed another spoonful of ice cream in her mouth, and staring at what was left in the container, she debated on whether to finish it or toss it out.