"If you go back, Mom, I''ll go back too!"


    Briony smiled. "Won''t you miss your friends here?"


    "Of course I will!" Little Nina pouted. "But the one I''ll miss the most is Mr. Ellsworth!"


    Briony gave a helplessugh. "I''m sure Mr. Ellsworth would be touched to hear that."


    "He''ll miss me too, I just know it!" Little Nina''s voice grew a little wistful. "Oh, just thinking about not seeing Mr. Ellsworth all the time makes me so sad!"


    Briony felt a tangle of emotions herself.


    But she knew all too well-Stewart''s patience was wearing thin.


    The next day was Saturday, and Little Nina stayed in bed, not waking up until eight.


    Once up, she brushed her teeth and washed her face by herself, then picked out a puffy pink-and-purple dress.


    When she couldn''t reach the zipper, she headed downstairs for help.


    "Mom, I can''t zip up my dress!"


    Stewart had juste in from outside when he saw his daughtering down from the second floor, dressed up like a tiny princess.


    Hearing herint, Stewart raised an eyebrow and beckoned her over. "Come here, I''ll help."


    Little Nina stopped a few steps away, looking at him across the room.


    After a few seconds, she gave a little "hmph," spun around, and dashed off toward the kitchen.


    Stewart watched her small, stubborn figure disappear, lips pressed in a thin line.


    With James and Carney away on business, it was just Gwendolyn White, Briony, and Little Nina at home.


    Stewart settled into the living room sofa, making himself a cup of tea while the water boiled.


    Before the kettle even finished, Little Nina came out of the kitchen. Breakfast wasn''t ready yet, so she just nced at Stewart in the living room, pouted, and wandered over to y with her puzzles in the kids'' corner behind the sofa.


    She never liked being around Stewart.


    But honestly-it wasn''t her fault!


    Stewart was just impossible to get along with.


    Every time he spoke to her, his voice was stiff, and his expression never changed.


    He was like a robot. Even Little Nina, who prided herself on her social skills, always ended up feeling awkward around him.


    Take the other day, for example. Little Nina had been enjoying some cookies her mom baked when Stewart walked in.


    He nced at the cookies and asked, "Are they good?"


    Little Nina''s eyes lit up. She offered him one. "They''re really good! Want to try?"


    Stewart shook his head, expressionless. "No, thank you."


    Little Nina: "...Oh."


    Silence.


    And now-same thing.


    She was when


    came over, sat


    aying with her puzzle


    her, and asked, "Is it fun?"


    Little Nina nodded. "Yeah, do you want to try?"


    t belongs to swnow


    Stewart: "No, you go ahead."


    Little Nina: "...Oh."


    Silence again.


    Little Nina pouted, fuming.


    Who needs a dad like this?


    He was so cold and distant. She was cute and lively-why would she want to y with him?


    Her godfather and Mr. Ellsworth were so much better!


    After breakfast, Gwendolyn White and Briony were going to take Little Nina grocery shopping.


    But Stewart stopped Briony. "Let Mrs. Winslow take Little Nina out. We need to talk."


    Briony nced at Gwendolyn White.


    yn gave a gentle sigh, t


    took


    Nina''s hand and said on, honey, let


    "Come


    e you to the store." Cop


    Little Nina looked up at Stewart, then turned worried eyes to Briony. "Mom..."


    Briony stroked her daughter''s hair. "It''s fine, sweetheart. I just need to talk to him for a bit."


    Little Nina nodded, then fixed Stewart with a stern frown. "You can''t bully my mom!"


    Stewart looked down at her, the corner of his mouth twitching. "I won''t."


    Little Nina snorted. "Okay, Grandma, let''s go!"


    "Alright." Gwendolyn led Little Nina out the door.


    Briony walked over and sat on the sofa, her gaze icy as she looked


    Stewart.


    "So, what is it you waet


    talk about?" Content bel want to