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She glances up at me aWantup?”

I shake ot the s for omelets in my kitchen I’ll cook, you relax”

She s to stay in here and gawk at Charlie, but she follows me out of the nursery

When we reach the kitchen, I open the fridge and start pulling out the stuff I need Eggs, butter, onions, red pepper, cheese, and some bacon

Pepper reaches out, and takes several of the iteies while you start on the bacon”

“Deal,” I tell her and we both set up side by side at the kitchen island which holds oing and besideboard

We talk co hockey schedule which is two ho a quick Christ Charlie’s first week home

“What about your parents? I assume you told them about Charlie” Pepper asks as she sniffs and blinks her eyes from the onions

“Here, let s to man the bacon and switch sides with her “Onions don’t botherof reactions My rand He was very quiet when I told them on the phone”

“Why would he disapprove?” she gasps in surprise

I shrug “Because I got a wo, it’s just irresponsible”

“That’s ridiculous,” Pepper sputters “You used protection It just didn’t work And you’re doing all you can”

“I know,” I say with a quick but reassuring smile to her “While I’m like my father in many ways—you know about os in my yard—I don’t adhere to so it roll off my back Once it settles in with him, he’ll be fine”