“But Mom, you’re talking like this is it—like you’ve given up.” Rose immediately regretted saying that. It sounded so childish. Between the two of them, only one was in denial about what was going to happen. Going to happen soon, whether I like it or not. “Sorry,” she added. “You’re right. Of course, I won’t start anything. He’s all yours.”

“Thank you. It means a lot.”

“’S’okay.” Rose turned to Bellamy. “I don’t suppose we need to tell you to bite your tongue, Hornblower?”

He didn’t reply, probably because he was munching on a mouthful of syrup-soaked pancakes. The sugary sap glistened around his lips and Rose all but reached out to wipe it off.

Or lick it off.

There was a knock on the door. Several irritating knocks in that rapid-fire signature sequence Andy had somehow never grown out of. As her mom let the moron in, Rose got up and quickly hid the packs of hot chocolate powder he always made a beeline for; he never drank tea or coffee, only hot chocolate, and she wasn’t about to pass up her time-honored petty torments for her baby brother.

Bellamy threw her a quizzical look as if to say, you promised not to start any shit.

Rose flicked her eyebrows up at him. “Watch and learn, muchacho. Watch and learn.”

Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Andy breezed in like he’d just returned from hanging out at the shop corner with his pals, that cocky macho vibe he gave off, especially for the girls, still emanating from him. But when he saw Bellamy he stopped dead and looked the new guy up and down a few times with his baby blue eyes, his thick black eyebrows narrowing. “And you are?”

“Eating breakfast,” Rose answered for him.

“I’m not talking to you.”

She rolled her eyes. “How unfortunate.”

“Keep out of this, Rosie. I’m serious. I’m asking this guy a question.”

Bellamy stood and wiped his hand against his shirt before extending it out toward Andy. “Good day. My name is Bellamy. I’m here to help your mother assort her affairs. Won’t you join us for some breakfast?” He then looked to Rose’s mother to make sure that was alright.

“Of course,” she replied. “There’s plenty to go around.”

Andy didn’t budge. He hovered in the doorway, glaring across at their new guest like he was a Russian spy who’d infiltrated the family home while Andy had been away. “Why are you still here?”

“It’s like he said,” answered Blythe, “he’s helping me out for a while.”

“With what?”

“Things.”

“Uh-huh.” Andy thrust a threatening finger at Bellamy. “I’m onto you. I know what you’re up to.”

“Oh really? Do enlighten us, little brother.” The unguarded taunt in Rose’s expression never failed to wind him up, she knew, especially when he was in a mood like this.