Miss Thompsett's movements were unexpected and Alvin found himself freezing soon as he felt her hand on his. Uncertainty kept him locked in place where he was, meeting her serious gaze curiously. Her words registered, but Alvin was too busy wondering what was happening.

Knowing he was the adult here, Alvin gave her hand a brief squeeze before retracting his own, moving to scratch the back of his head awkwardly. He didn't know how to feel about the turn this had taken, but she had also gabbed his bad hand, and he was a little self-conscious about the mottled flesh there.

"I think we should probably go back inside." He offered, gesturing with his good hand toward the house. There was a little too much to unpack here when he was already in a weird headspace over Zinnia. He should have just let Miss Thompsett have the garden.