Family Ties by Louise Behiel Page A

him.”
    “Thanks.” She smiled at his compliment. “Actually, it’s more important to see he likes you.”
    “Not much,” Gray snorted. “He didn’t say a single word to me the other night while we were working on his model.”
    “I don’t expect him to speak yet.” She pulled a tea pot from the cupboard. “But the two times he didn’t choose to be next to me have been because of his interest in models.” She scooped some tea leaves into the pot and added hot water. “Anything that draws him out of his silent space is progress, believe me.”
    “Only because he wanted to work on the model.”
    Andie could sense Gray’s unwillingness to take any credit for the change in the little boy. She respected his opinion even though she disagreed. In this case it wasn’t justified. “Jamie wanted to work on the model, so he chose to stay in the kitchen while I was going back and forth to set the table. He didn’t have to stay with you.”
    “True.”
    “This is the first thing he’s wanted more than he’s wanted - no needed - the security of being by my side. Regardless of what you think, Gray, it’s a big breakthrough for Jamie. Huge.”
    “Really? I can’t imagine something so little having any impact.”
    “Really.” She couldn’t help but smile at his disbelief. “Look, who’s the psychologist here?” She tapped her chest with a finger. “Last I checked I’m the expert. Like it or not you’ll have to accept my professional opinion – you and the models have reached Jamie in a way no one else has.”
    She left him considering her comments while she pulled out mugs. “Tea?”
    He seemed almost startled by the question then shook his head. “No thanks. I’d better get going. I didn’t intend to take up your whole evening. I just wanted to - .”
    “Apology accepted even if it was unnecessary.”
    “Good.” He crossed the kitchen and reached for the door. Without turning around he said, “If there’s anything, you know, anything else I can do to help him, would you let me know?”
    “Count on it.”
    He turned. “Or with the neighbors.”
    “Thanks.” The softness of her eyes made everything inside his chest melt.
    “Goodnight.” He stepped outside, sliding the door closed behind him.
    Andie watched him stride across the deck and disappear down the steps. “You’ve been very kind to us Gray and I know you didn’t ask for my input, so I’ll keep my opinions to myself.” She thought of the haunted look in his eyes when Jamie’d screamed. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t extend the helpful hand of neighborliness to you and hope for the best.”
    ***
    Gray drove his pick-up around the back of the lumber yard to the pile of cedar posts. Putting the truck in park, he grabbed his gloves and got out to help load.
    Finished there, he moved the truck to the cedar fencing and began loading boards. Once the fence was finished, he’d fill the pool and test it.
    There was only one reason for going to all this trouble, he assured himself. A working pool wouldn’t necessarily increase the value but an empty, unused pool would hurt his property value.
    His conversation with Andie last night had nothing to do with it. Especially since he didn’t want her kids bugging him to swim. Or breaking into the pool. Chloe could break into Fort Knox if she wanted to and he wouldn’t take a chance with a pool. He’d build the fence and then when he got closer to selling he’d fill the pool and test it. There’d be little time for the kids to be tempted or take any risks.
    In spite of all the mind chatter, he had a funny feeling there might be another reason for all his plans and purchases – reasons he wasn’t willing to admit to himself.
    ***
    At home, Gray began to unload his truck and haul the materials to the backyard, where he stacked them against the garage - there was no point in killing the grass anymore than absolutely necessary.
    “What’cha doing?” Chloe asked.
    Knowing the