“That is old.” She walked to Apollo as best she could in the shoes and started de-princessing him. “Go rest with Daddy, Apollo. We can play tea party later.”

Once he was no longer decked out in pink, Apollo stood up and shook, then trotted over to me. “Let’s go take Apollo outside and we can play on the swings.”

“Cookie. Please,” Henry said.

I glanced at my watch. “Too close to dinner. Mommy wouldn’t like it if I let you have a cookie now. Eat a good dinner and we’ll see.”

“I have cookies,” Elizabeth said, pushing an empty plate toward him.

Henry looked down and, realizing they were only imaginary cookies, told her, “Fix it.”

Elizabeth tried to explain why imaginary cookies were better and Henry didn’t believe her one bit. But he didn’t complain. They played together really well, at least most of the time.

Growing up as an only child, I’d always wanted a brother or sister. Then my parents died when I was ten and I lived with my aunt and uncle. Their son, Jackson, had been like the brother I’d never had. I’d always known that if I ever had children, I’d want at least two.

“Let’s go.” I picked Henry up to carry him down the stairs and Elizabeth followed with Apollo.

Later that evening, after Abby returned home from lunch with her friends, I pulled into Daniel’s driveway. He’d called while the women were at lunch and asked if I could stop by his house for a little bit. I’d just gotten out of the car when I heard voices near the patio.

“How long is Cole going to be at the guesthouse?” The question was voiced by a woman I didn’t recognize.

“I don’t know.” That sounded like Julie. “He’s been gone a lot. Traveling different places. I really can’t keep up with him.”

“Does he have a lot of … people over?”

“By people, do you mean women?”

There was a tight laugh and then, “Yeah, that’s what I meant.”

“I haven’t seen anyone stay overnight, but that doesn’t mean he’s not inviting women over to play.”

“Just wondering.”

Julie sighed. “You know Cole’s reputation in the playroom, don’t you, Sasha?”

“I’ve heard some things.”

“From what I’ve picked up on, they’re all true,” Julie said. “Do you think about playing when you picture yourself back with the group?”

There was nothing from Sasha and I wanted to make my presence known before they started chatting again. I walked quickly, covering the distance in a few long strides. Turning the corner, I found them working in the garden that ran along the front porch.

“Hey, guys,” I said.

Julie sat back on her heels and smiled. “Hey, Nathaniel. Daniel said you were coming over. He’s in the sunroom at the back of the house. If you follow the walkway around, you’ll find him.”

“Thank you, Julie.” I glanced at Sasha. She’d put her shovel down and was looking at the dirt. Abby had told me about her conversations with Dena. I still had reservations about Sasha rejoining, but wasn’t sure exactly why. “Hello, Sasha.”

She didn’t look up. “Hello, Sir.”

“I prefer Nathaniel when we’re not with the group.”

She lifted her head, and a mischievous grin crept across her lips. “Does anyone ever call you Nate?”

“Not if they want a reply.”

“I didn’t think you looked like a Nate.”

I grinned. “What does a Nate look like?”

She shrugged. “I’m not sure. I just know it’s not like you.”

“Sasha,” Julie said. “Come help me carry these empty planters to the greenhouse.”

The two women went back to their gardening and I followed the path around the house to the sunroom, finding Daniel exactly where Julie said he’d be.

He saw me and opened the door. “Hey, Nathaniel. Come on in.”

We took our seats at the dining table and I noticed a pile of paperwork at Daniel’s place. He picked it up and flipped through the stack.

“I’ve pulled the paperwork from all active members,” he said. “I thought if you were going to be redoing the application process, we might as well have everyone fill out paperwork and resubmit.”

“I was actually going to suggest that. I was thinking it was a good idea because Peter had been out of the mentor program for a while and Ron was still in it when he harassed Dena, so it’s not like we can point to one thing to identify as the breakdown.”

He leaned back in his chair. “I know you and Abby are coming to the party tomorrow night. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts after.”

I’d been to the group’s play parties before, but always as a guest. This coming weekend, Abby and I would attend as members. But more than that, we’d be looking for ways to improve safety and security for all members.

“Abby mentioned Sasha wanted to attend this weekend’s party,” I said. “What are your thoughts?”

“I talked to her when she came over to help Julie in the garden. I won’t lie to you, after what happened with Peter, I thought she would never join the group again.”

“She was that bad off?” At first, I’d been alarmed when I saw her. She still looked depressed. She was too thin and her eyes had the look of a person who didn’t sleep very well. But her comeback on the Nate thing showed me she had more fire inside than it at first appeared.

“Yes. She wouldn’t even stay and watch when I collared Julie.”

“But when you talked to her this afternoon?”

“She’s in a better place. I’m okay with her attending tomorrow night, but I’d like for us all to keep an eye on her and be there if she needs us.”

Sasha’s paperwork was on the top of the pile. I picked it up and glanced over it. “Abby said she wasn’t planning to play.”

“No, I know she won’t tomorrow. But I think it’d be good for us to be proactive and have a plan ready for when she is.”

A noise from outside caused us both to turn our heads. The two women had moved to the side of the house with their gardening. Cole stood with them holding a flat of flowers. But what had captured everyone’s attention was the petite woman at his side.

“Cole has company,” Daniel said. “First time I’ve known him to have someone over. Maybe he’s finally getting Kate out of his system.”

“She could be his editor.”

As we watched, he passed the flowers to Julie and then slipped his hand to rest low on the unknown woman’s ass.

“Or not,” I added.

“Yeah, I’m guessing not his editor. Wonder why he brought those back to Julie? I had them delivered to the guesthouse because that’s where she wanted them planted.”

“I saw her and Sasha working by the driveway.”

“She wanted to add some new plants and I want her to think of this as her home, too.” He laughed. “Though I told her I’d like it better if she planted in the nude.”

I chuckled, then glanced back outside. Cole and his friend had left, heading toward the guesthouse. Julie and Sasha appeared to be arguing. Julie looked up and Daniel motioned for her to come inside. She put the container down and walked toward us. Sasha followed, not looking happy at all.

“Hey,” Julie said, once inside. She sounded a bit huffy, and was clearly agitated.

“Did Cole have a problem with the plants?” Daniel asked.

“No, he thought they brought them to the guesthouse by mistake. He was going to take them back, but I told him to leave them. I wanted to fertilize them anyway. Then we can plant them.”

“There’s no we,” Sasha said, crossing her arms.

“Honestly, Sasha. I want to get these in the ground today.”

“I’ll do all the other plants.”

“You’re being absurd.”

Daniel cleared his throat. “Nathaniel, can you get me one of the blank checklists from the bottom of that pile?”

I took the pile of papers and gave Daniel a sheet from the bottom. I lifted an eyebrow. Sasha’s demeanor had changed from when I first arrived. If I didn’t know better, I would say she was being bratty because she was jealous. The look on her face reminded me so much of one Abby got when Charlene’s name was mentioned. Daniel nodded. He’d picked up on it, too.