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“You sound like Hallie Just older—barely,” I teased

She nudged hter is smart She’s probably done the research”

“She does love research,” I said “Asking questions is her favorite activity”

Winnie picked up her water glass “What does she do with all her knowledge?”

“She writes stories You should see all the notebooks she’s filled”

“I love that A curious, creative soul who loves to learn”

“Almost as much as she loves socks”

Winnie laughed “I saw her swi barefoot, huh?”

“She really hates it Just makes her too anxious to enjoy herself”

“Hm I wonder what she’d do if I offered to paint her toes for the last weekend of summer”

I shrugged “Not sure I’ve never offered that before”

“So let’s try it I have to work Saturday evening—I’—but I’ll be around earlier in the day And I have tons of colors she can pick fro off her fun polish, she’d be less anxious about going barefoot?”

“Maybe But don’t be hurt if it doesn’t work”

“I won’t at all, I promise Let’s try it”

I was touched by her offer “Thanks That’s nice of you”

“My little sisters used to let ive Luna one too” Then she laughed “You want one?”

“No,” I said fir ugly man feet”

She laughed “Fine, be that way And if you’re too busy, it’s not a big deal”

“I’ on your door at eight a”

“Perfect,” she said “I like getting up early And if you want to bring them over to the barn this weekend, we can do that too” She ate her last French fry “Maybe Sunday would be good for that Let me check with my cousin”

Although Winnie offered to help me with the dishes, I refused to let her, since she’d done ether

“I’ve got this,” I told her, placing both our plates in the sink

“Are you sure?” She finished her water and set the glass down “I don’t mind”

“I’m sure I’m used to it—at the station, they don’t let me near the food because I’m such a bad cook, so I’m always on clean-up duty”

She laughed, leaning her lower back against the counter next to the sink “I think a man who cleans is just as sexy as a man who cooks Maybe even sexier”