When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Joseph delivered several dishes over and saw me while I was arranging the books in the living room. As he moved, he asked, “Are you preparing for the exam, Mrs. Fuller?”

I nodded. “I’ve wanted to take the exam for a while but had to postpone it after everything that’s happened. Now that I finally have the time to, I might as well do it.”

He smiled. “That’s good. It’s nice to be able to do the things you like.”

It was rare to hear a typically aloof man like Joseph uttering such words.

When Ashton returned with Summer, I was just about to cook after having washed the vegetables.

Noticing me in the kitchen, his slender figure came up to me from behind and held onto me clingily. “Each time I see you in the kitchen, I think I’m the world’s luckiest man.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t be silly. Who’s coming over later?”

“John and his fiancée, who’s also your future sister-in-law,” he said with a smirk, leaning down to kiss me on the lips when he caught me giving him a sidelong glance.

I swerved in time to avoid it, chiding, “Stop it. Joseph and Summer are around.”

“Just five seconds,” he said in a husky voice.

But it was never only five seconds with him. Had it not been for the vegetables in the frying pan, it would’ve taken several more five seconds than one hand could count.

cooking, the sound of a car engine sounded from

get off the car, she jumped on him without any consideration

passenger side and pulled open the car door with Summer

imagined that the woman who would appear in sight was Hannah

she hadn’t changed much. She was as gentle and

guess she’s

turned toward me and smiled faintly. “Ms. Stovall, it’s been a

approached her, taking her hand in mine.

gaze on me. “If you’re used to living in the apartment in the city center, then don’t shift anymore. A house shouldn’t be left vacated

It was obvious he was indirectly telling me not

well, knitting his brows slightly as he placed a slice of meat onto my plate. He smiled faintly.

imply that I had lost weight from living alone with no one

them could have a meal in

unable to understand the adults’ conversation. Perhaps children tend to gravitate

said softly, “Ms. Anne, do I have to call you Aunt

attention away from me. He looked at Summer and said,

and asked, “Uncle John, Mommy says once you get married, I’ll have to refer to

his lips. “Kids shouldn’t talk so much during mealtime. Eat