Travis immediately shoved an arm out toward the couch.

Joker took him there.

“But this place is bigger,” Carissa went on. “And it’s closer to Carson. He doesn’t officially live here, but he’s here a lot. And he’d mow your lawn.”

Joker sat on the back of the couch and looked to Linus, and he didn’t try to hide how he felt about how he was now going to mow Mrs. Heely’s lawn, something he didn’t know was part of the deal.

Linus was shaking and doing it hard, trying not to laugh out loud.

“Carissa, you’re being very sweet, but I’m happy where I am,” Mrs. Heely told her.

Joker took in the look on his girl’s face, knowing she didn’t believe that.

“I have company,” Mrs. Heely said gently. “Anytime I want, there are folks around. We have things to do. They plan activities away and we all get on buses and go. It’s fun. And I still have my car, so it isn’t like I don’t have my freedom. I just have to let someone know I’m going.”

“Okay,” Carissa mumbled.

“And I’m halfway between you, Carson and Travis and Linus, Kam and the kids. Perfect spot,” Mrs. Heely kept at her.

“Right,” Carissa said, adjusting her plate in front of her.

“I love you want me close,” Mrs. Heely said on a loud whisper, and Joker looked at the back of her head. “That’s very sweet. But I’ve got friends where I am, and I like that I can still take care of my own place. Anything bigger, even a little bit bigger, that would be a lot on me.”

“I could help,” Carissa offered immediately.

“You want Carson to have his family,” Mrs. Heely replied quietly and Joker’s back shot straight.

He didn’t know that was it. He just thought it was Carrie being Carrie, taking care of people, taking care of a woman who meant something to him like her father took care of the woman who raised him.

Carissa didn’t answer, but it wasn’t lost on Joker that she avoided looking at him.

And there it was, that was it.

“I’m not far away,” Mrs. Heely said.

“You’re right. It was a stupid idea. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought it up,” Carissa returned and Joker could see the pink in her cheeks. She made a move to get up and start collecting dishes.

“Carrie,” Mrs. Heely called.

Carissa stopped moving, planted her ass back in her chair, and looked to Mrs. Heely.

Mrs. Heely said nothing.

But then again, Joker didn’t see her face.