"Mister Henry, why do you talk different?" Sarah asked, tugging on his coat sleeve.

He chuckled, squatting down so that he was on her level. "Why do you think I talk differently?"

"Maybe you're an alien," she said, scrunching up her nose as she thought. "Or a cowboy."

I tried not to laugh, but it was impossible. I collapsed into a fit of giggles. Henry glanced up at me, eyebrows raised slightly, as though he couldn't imagine what would be so funny. "I'm not an alien or a cowboy," he told my niece seriously. "I'm from a different country, that's all."

"Oh." She looked disappointed. "What country are you from?"

"I'm from Great Britain."

"Is it great there?"

He tugged her ponytail. "No, because you're not there!"

My sister poked her head out of the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!"

"Mister Henry and I will set the table!" Sarah grabbed Henry by the hand and towed him into the kitchen. I smiled as I watched them go.

"He's completely smitten," I commented to my sister. Ellie looked from me to Henry and back, then smacked me with a towel. "Hey!" I protested. "What was that for?"

"He's not the only one who's smitten," she teased. I could feel myself blushing, which only made Ellie's grin wider.

"Shut up."

"Not a chance." She slipped her elbow through mine and pulled me into the kitchen. Henry was obediently setting forks and spoons on the table as Sarah put down the plates. "Come on, sis, it's getting cold. We wouldn't want to keep Sarah and Mister Henry waiting." She winked.

"Shut up," I whispered, but my heart wasn't in it. I knew exactly where my heart was, and so did she.

Sarah kept Henry on his toes during dinner, throwing question after question at him between bites. I had warned him about her undying curiosity, and he got the full brunt of it.

"Mister Henry, what's in Great Britain?"

Henry set down his fork thoughtfully. "Well, there's a very tall clock tower that you would probably like. It's called Big Ben."

"Oh. Mister Henry, are there ducks in Great Britain?"

"Yes, there are ducks in Great Britain."

"What about geese?"

"Yes, there are geese there too."

"Do they ever get in fights? Because sometimes the ducks and the geese at the pond get in fights."

He took a drink of water to hide his smile. "I haven't been to Great Britain in a few years, but I don't recall seeing any duck-goose fights."

"Henry," my sister cut in as Sarah took a bite of her spaghetti. "Jo said you have an antique store?"

"That's right," he replied. "I run it with my friend Abe. He takes care of the day-to-day operations while I'm at the morgue."

Sarah swallowed and asked, "What's a morgue?"

Henry hesitated. "Uh..."

"Sarah, are you done with your dinner?" Ellie asked quickly. Sarah nodded. "Why don't you go upstairs and get ready for bed, okay?"

"Okay!" She jumped out of her chair, put her plate in the sink, and skipped out of the room. Almost immediately she came running back. "Mister Henry, will you read me a bedtime story before it's time for me to go to sleep?"

"Sure, sweetheart."

"Okay!" She turned and left the kitchen again, humming to herself. Henry sat back in his chair, letting out a long breath. Ellie grinned at him.

"You tired?"

"It's been quite awhile since I've been around a seven-year-old," he admitted. "But your daughter is a joy, Ellie."

"She's also a terror." She got up and started to clear the table. I followed suit, picking up Henry's plate along with my own. "Just watch. She'll make you read stories for an hour if you're not careful."

"I can think of worse ways to spend my evening." Henry stood, pushing in his chair. "Where would I find your bathroom?" Ellie pointed down the hall. "Thank you."

When he was out of the room, Ellie grabbed me in a gleeful hug. "Jo, where did you find this guy?" she squealed. "He's so adorable!"

I squirmed out of her arms. "Ellie, hush!" I gestured to the bathroom, which was visible from the kitchen doorway.

"You hush," Ellie retorted. "You love him, and you know it."

I shrugged, trying to look nonchalant. "I brought him to meet you, didn't I?"

"Good point." She put a hand on my arm. "Really, though, sis, I'm glad you met someone. I know the past couple of years have been hard for you."

"Thanks, sis."

Henry chose that moment to return to the kitchen. I was glad; I was about to get emotional. "May I help with the dishes?" he asked. Ellie waved him off.

"Sarah should be back down any minute now," she informed him. "Jo and I will clean up."

Sure enough, we soon heard little feet on the stairs. "Mister Henry, are you ready?" Sarah came into the kitchen, wearing kitty-cat pajamas and rubbing her eyes. "I think I'm getting sleepy."

"I'm ready," he said gravely. "Do you have a book for me to read?"

"It's in my room. I'll show you." Hand-in-hand, Henry and Sarah left the kitchen. He smiled warmly at me as they went. I couldn't help thinking that maybe he would read stories to our children one day.

Ellie sidled up behind me. "You're thinking about making babies with him, aren't you?"

"Ellie!"

"It's no fun teasing you," she complained, smirking at me. "It's too easy when you're in love."

I sat down to write pure Jenry fluff, and boy, did I get fluff. I really wanted to explore Jo's family a little bit too, so you get both! I hope you enjoy this short-and-sweet story. There will be 3 chapters in total.