“I get that. Had a bit of the crazy thinking stuff for a while after H died.” He leaned forward, his gaze intense. “But you know you’re not to blame, right? You were there in an artistic capacity, not crowd control.”

“On one level, I know that. I had kids who’d come to have a good time and my job was to make everyone happy. I needed to head off a scene that would upset all the children, not just Indi and Leo. But whenever I think about how much Libby is hurting, remembering my noble aim doesn’t really help.”

“You did a good job, Alice.”

She fiddled with the spoon on her saucer. She was familiar with grumpy Harry and warrior-parent Harry, but he rarely showed this side of himself. When he did, she never knew quite what to do with the compliment. “You don’t need to be kind.”

“I’m not. I’m going on facts. Holly hasn’t stopped talking about how much fun she had helping you and the littlies, and Hunter enjoyed himself too. He’s hung his redback spider from the ceiling. I keep walking into it and getting a hell of a fright.”

“It is pretty terrifying.”

“You’re telling me.” He smiled and this time it was free of the reserve that often clung to him.

It was the most natural thing in the world for her to smile back. “Thanks for telling me that.”

“Too easy.” He checked his watch and stood. “I better get out of your hair before your next victim shows up.”

“Why do you do that?”

He looked genuinely bewildered. “Do what?”

“Be a nice guy then a bit of a dick.”

“It was a joke, Alice.”

“Would you say that to a bloke? I’m not lying to these men or deceiving them in any way. I—”

“Sorry. It was a cheap shot.”

Alice was in full flight—indignant words rushing out of her—and it took her a second to realize he’d apologized. She checked his face—he looked sheepish and repentant.

“Truth is, Alice, I’m in awe of you for taking the bull by the horns and making things happen. I’m not sure I’d have the guts.”

She was still speechless when he walked away, pausing at the door for Devon, who walked in.

“Alice?” Devon half leaned in for a kiss and half shot out a hand.

Dazed, she took his hand, although she wasn’t sure if her dumbfounded state related to Harry or the fact that the pony-tailed Devon, whose profile read part-time surfer, part-time philosopher, full-time consumer of life, was a man well into his sixties.

“‘Dating Dilemmas? Ask Alice! Email her here at the Gazette.’”

Dan brandished a copy of the paper at Alice as she arrived at his place with the ingredients for their weekly dinner. It was her turn to cook. “You’re an agony aunt, now?”