Read Online What Love Sounds Like by Alissa Callen - Free Book Online

of liquid. He lowered the water bottle, cleared his throat and gave a husky chuckle. ‘So much for having my best interests at heart. The other day there was the caramel popcorn that almost choked me and now…’ he looked across at the grey ice cream in the bowl Mia still held, ‘whatever
that
is…’
    He coughed again before continuing, ‘Even if you are familiar with the Heimlich manoeuvre…’ He replaced the lid on the water bottle and a smile touched the corner of his mouth. ‘I think your therapy needs to come with its own health warning.’
    Tilly placed her arms around his neck and hugged him. Her affection snuffed out his mirth.
    ‘Thanks, Tilly.’ He edged away from her, face strained. ‘I’m fine now. What flavour will you try?’
    She pointed to the rainbow tub. Mia placed Kade’s bowl onto the rug and filled a pink bowl with rainbow scoops for Tilly.
    ‘Perhaps you’d like to try some of this one, Kade? I promise there isn’t anything in here to choke on, only cream, condensed milk and sprinkles.’
    ‘Sprinkles?’ He pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure those pink fairy shapes and glitter even qualify as food.’
    ‘I’ll have you know that Fairy Surprise Sprinkles are the
crème de la crème
of treats. I drove an hour from Whylandra to Dubbo to find them for Tilly.’
    ‘Treats?’ he asked, still looking at the sprinkles with unconcealed suspicion.
    ‘Yes, you know, all the not-every-day foods kids like.’ His expression failed to clear. ‘Things like lollies, chocolate…’ Mia handed Tilly her bowl full of sparkling ice-cream. ‘And especially Fairy Surprise Sprinkles.’
    Mia collected a green bowl for herself. Kade’s childhood had lacked more than just toys and friends. Her upbringing had been no picnic but at least while her mother had been alive she’d been allowed to live life as a child. Fairy bread, buttered bread covered in sprinkles, had been her favourite sometimes-food.
    ‘Kade.’ She stopped scooping ice-cream into her bowl. ‘Please tell me you know what treats are.’
    He appeared to concentrate on watching Tilly tuck into her chosen flavour. The only sound to disturb the silence was the crunch of sprinkles as Tilly chewed.
    ‘Sure, I was given treats.’ He spoke slowly. ‘I just can’t remember exactly what they were.’
    She placed her bowl on the rug and tilted her head to study him. ‘There must have been some foods you were given as a child for special occasions…or as a reward.’
    He rested the water bottle against his leg before looking out over the garden. Mia too looked at the manicured lawn, established shade trees and garden beds lush with fragrant summer colour.
    ‘Well,’ he said after a moment, ‘after I’d help my grandmother dig in the garden, we’d have a cool drink and scones with jam. Do scones qualify?’
    ‘Yes. Yes, scones count as a treat.’ Mia’s voice gentled. ‘Maybe Tilly and I could make you some?’
    She anticipated the quick shake of his head but not the visible tensing of his muscles. It was as though his body prepared for a flight response to a threat.
    She pulled a final tub out of the cooler even as he uncrossed his legs getting ready to stand. ‘Now we have one last flavour to try. Maybe you could serve this one up Kade, as it has been in the freezer for the longest and will be frozen solid?’
    She set the tub on the rug before him and handed him the ice-cream scoop. Would he stay or would he go?
    His tanned fingers didn’t wrap around the white plastic handle.
    ‘Kade?’ Her eyes searched his. ‘Tilly and I promise you’ll like this flavour.’
    Tilly nodded, worry pinching her heart-shaped face.
    His lips tightened but then he took hold of the ice-cream scoop and sat back onto the rug.
    ‘Do I have your word that I won’t choke?’
    She placed her hand on her chest. ‘Cross my heart. This flavour is just plain vanilla with not a sprinkle or lolly in sight. ‘
    Kade picked up the tub.
    Mia turned her