Chloe firmly pressed the earth into place with both hands before reaching for a tiny yellow watering can. She paused, lifted the spout toward her nose, and smelled it first.
Brandon burst into laughter. “Are you actually smelling the water?”
Chloe stared at him with complete seriousness. “Dad, after everything that happened, I check every liquid first.”
“That sounds like a very sensible rule,” Brandon agreed gently.
Chloe tilted the watering can, letting fresh water sink into the clean, dark soil. The plant’s green leaves leaned slightly toward the sunlight shining through the window.
Chloe wiped her dirty hands against her jeans and stepped backward to admire their work. Then she noticed her father’s hand resting softly on Rosalyn’s shoulder and realized Rosalyn made no attempt to move away.
A wide smile appeared across Chloe’s face. “I have decided our family needs a brand-new rule.”
Brandon lifted his eyebrows playfully. “Another rule already?”
