Maddy strolls up to the front counter, watching me with curious eyes for a few seconds before pivoting toward her uncle.
“Uncle Jake! You’re supposed to teach me some moves,” Maddy says, twirling, chopping, and kicking the air.
“Since when do you want to learn anything?” Sully teases.
“Uncle Jake will make it fun, not work,” she sasses back, making me smother a laugh. Even Maddy knows Sully is the serious instructor at Strike Back.
“Let’s go, princess,” Jake hollers. He points toward the smaller workout room and she scampers over.
Then I’m alone with Sully and his mother. Maybe being scrutinized by a twelve-year-old isn’t so bad.
Mrs. Wallace moves closer and gives me a friendly smile. What has Sully said about me? Oh my God, does she recognize me from sneaking out of her son’s house in the wee hours of the morning a bunch of days this week?
“I hope you don’t mind that we stopped by?” she says softly. At first, I think she’s apologizing to Sully, but she’s facing me.
“Oh. No. Of course not.”
I finally find some courage and smile at her. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
She’s a pretty woman. Sully has her hair and strong bone structure. That’s when I notice the dullness in her left eye. Is she partially blind? Heat crawls up my neck and I avert my gaze. Now I feel stupid. Did I stare too long? I don’t want to make her uncomfortable. God, my palms are so sweaty.
“Is my son treating you well?” she asks.
“Very. I mean yes. I like him…I mean I like the job a lot.” Oh my God, stop talking, Aubrey!
Her mouth tips into a knowing smile as if to say ‘I know you’re dating him.’ It’s not unkind, though. More like relief.
I glance at Sully and he’s smiling. As if this is normal and he’s thrilled to have all of us in one place.
The front door opens, saving me from embarrassing myself any more.
Until I realize who decided to stop by.
Celia’s gaze pings from me, to Sully, to his mother and back to me.
“Hey, Celia,” Sully calls, waving her over. “Good to see you again.”
He makes the introductions while I stand there willing my body to melt into the floor.
“What’s up?” I ask Celia. Not even the offer to use my employee discount brings her into the coffee shop to visit me as frequently as she’s shown up here.
“Nothing. It was a slow afternoon. I helped the girls clean up, then jetted out. Thought I’d take you to dinner when you’re done.”
It’s not that we don’t go out to dinner from time to time, but it’s still suspicious.
“Sure.” My gaze strays to Sully. “I’m done in about an hour.”
“Whoa! I guess it’s family day at Strike Back,” Jake calls out. “Hi, Celia.”
Celia throws me a desperate I’m sorry look before giving Jake a cool greeting.
He wanders over with Madison who tries to pull a sneak attack on Sully. He turns at the last second and catches her, grabbing her and swinging her around, mushing kisses on her cheek. “You think after a few lessons with your uncle means you can sneak up on me? Huh?” he teases.
Maddy giggles uncontrollably while Sully flings her around. “Stop! Gross!” she yells in between more wild giggles.
Just when I thought he couldn’t get any more irresistible.
He steadies her and points her toward my sister. “Madison, this is Aubrey’s sister, Celia.”
“Do you work here too?”
My sister is immediately charmed by Maddy. Not a surprise, after all, she has more experience with younger kids than I do.
“No, I’m a hair stylist at a salon in the mall.”
“The fancy one or the five-dollar cuts one?” Jake asks.
Celia barely throws him a look. “Not the five-dollar one.”
“I’ll have to stop in.” He pats his head and smirks at Sully. “I’ve been told I’m in need of a new stylist.”
“You’re in need of something,” Sully growls.
By the small smile flickering over her lips, Mrs. Wallace seems amused. “I have an idea. Why don’t you girls come over for dinner?”
“Oh, no. I don’t want to—” I start to say, only to be cut off by Maddy.
She bops up and down. “Yes! Grandma makes the best buttermilk fried chicken.” She glances at her grandmother. “That’s what we’re having, right? It’s Sunday.”
“If you want to do that, then we have to go home and start now,” she warns.
“Okay.”
My “I-don’t-want-to-intrude” attempt to get out of dinner is cut off by my own sister.
“That sounds delicious. Thank you so much, Mrs. Wallace,” Celia says.
Traitor.
“Can we bring anything?” I ask.
“Nope. Just yourselves.” Mrs. Wallace places her hands on Madison’s shoulders and steers her toward the back door.
“Later!” Madison calls out.
Sully’ chuckles as he watches them go. “Be good and help Grandma,” he calls out. From his tone of voice and the emotion in his eyes, it’s obvious how much he loves his mother and his daughter.
Two hours later, my sister’s dragging me out of the car and up Mrs. Wallace’s front porch steps.
I smooth my hands over the skirt of the black and white dress my sister forced me into when we stopped home.
She smacks my hands away from their human iron impression. “Stop fidgeting.”
“Are you sure this looks okay? I feel like I’m trying too hard.”
“You look sweet and wholesome.”
I cock my head and let out a dry laugh. “Like I said.”
She rolls her eyes and pushes me up the sidewalk.
“Smile, pumpkin,” she prods after knocking on the door.
“I am smiling.”
“You look like you’re headed to the dentist.”
“I blame you for this,” I hiss.
“Daddy!” Madison yells as she opens the door. “Aubrey and Celia are here!”
She opens the door wider, inviting us inside. “They’re in the kitchen.”
“Thanks.”
I don’t know what to do. Am I supposed to make small talk with her? I wish I’d brought something. What do twelve-year-old girls like? I was one once, so I feel like I should know.
Celia elbows me in the ribs, nudging me along while Maddy flops on the couch and returns to whatever she’s watching on television.
“Welcome!” Mrs. Wallace says.
The spicy, warm scents and sizzling from the kitchen remind me that I haven’t eaten in a few hours. My stomach growls loud enough that Celia glances over.
Jake’s at the counter opposite his mother, chopping vegetables.
Celia stops dead, mouth hanging open. “You cook?”
He winks and flashes a cocky grin. “I have lots of talents, sweetheart.”
“Jacob Cordero Wallace. Behave,” Mrs. Wallace warns.
Celia and I titter with laughter while Jake grins. “Yes, mother.”
She swats him with a dish towel which only makes him laugh harder.
“How was the rest of the afternoon?” she asks.
“Okay,” I answer lamely. I wish I’d brought a gift. Instead of running home to change, I should’ve grabbed some flowers or something.
“Aubrey, would you please hand me that jar?” she asks, pointing to something on the counter.
The request startles me out of my stupor and I hand it over without embarrassing myself further.
A heavy, warm hand slides up my back, landing on my shoulder. “Hey,” Sully says against my ear. “Thanks for coming.”
I turn slightly, almost catching his lips for a kiss, but pull back at the last minute. Now’s not the time. “Thanks for having us.”
He squeezes my shoulder again, his thumb gently rubbing the tension gathered in my neck. “Relax,” he murmurs. “Or she’ll start firing off questions.”
&nbs
p; Maybe it’s silly, but his warning helps me relax.
All of this is perfectly normal, right?
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
“You look pretty,” I whisper in Aubrey’s ear.
She glances down and fidgets with the dress. “I wish I’d gotten something for your mom instead.”
I’m not sure what she means exactly, but it doesn’t take a genius to see how freaked out she is. Guilt nags at me. I hadn’t planned on family dinner so soon. Maybe she should’ve had more time to get comfortable with the idea. “You don’t need to bring anything here,” I assure her. “She’s really just happy to have more people to feed.”
Next to us, Celia snorts. “We’re not used to that.” She elbows her sister and Aubrey shoots a warning look at her.
“Is there something we can do, Mrs. Wallace?” Celia asks.
Mom nods to the cabinets behind me. “Set the table, please. Sullivan can show you where the dishes are.”
I take down the plates and glasses they need, show them where the silverware is, and then excuse myself to see what Maddy’s up to.
“What’cha doing in here, kiddo?” I drop down next to her on the couch, tickling my fingers over her feet.
She jabs her little toes into my leg to fight off the tickle assault. “Nothing.”
“I thought you wanted to have guests over.”
“I do.”
“Are you all packed?” I ask gently.
Her mouth turns down. There it is. Sunday afternoons are bittersweet. Dinner with my mother and Jake, but we usually head to the airport right after. While she doesn’t throw the tantrums she did when she was little, she does tend to get rather quiet and withdrawn. I didn’t protest when my mother invited the girls to dinner because I thought having Aubrey and Celia over might help take Maddy’s mind off leaving, but now I’m worried it’s actually making her feel worse.
“All my stuff’s in the Jeep,” she says.
“When’d you do that?”
She shrugs.
“You know, Celia’s a hair-dresser. Why don’t you ask her about those pink highlights or whatever that you want to get?”
She slides her gaze my way. “Yeah?”
I normally wouldn’t suggest something I suspect my ex won’t approve of, but I’m desperate here.
“Okay.” She shoves off the couch and trots into the kitchen and I follow.
“Oh, there you are,” my mother says. “Dinner’s ready.” She pats Maddy’s shoulder. “Will you grab the iced tea, honey?”
“Sure.”
Somehow Celia ends up next to my brother. I’m sure that won’t be awkward when he gets his tongue ripped out for saying something stupid.
Aubrey seems a little lost and I nudge her into the chair next to me. Maddy sits on my other side, next to my mother and asks if she can say grace.
“Of course you can,” my mother answers.
The words my daughter usually says are sweet and to the point. Today she amends them slightly.
“Thank you for the meal we’re about to eat. For Grandma who worked hard to make it. And thank you to family and new friends here to share it with us. May we stay strong and healthy.” She turns and grins when she’s finished.
“Thank you, Madison.” There’s a catch in my mother’s voice that says she’s also having a hard time with Maddy leaving in a few hours.
“Drumstick!” Maddy calls out.
“That’s why you wanted to say grace,” Jake says. “I knew it.”
“Nuh-uh.” Maddy shakes her head.
“Guests first,” my mother prompts, nodding at Celia.
When everyone’s plates are full, Maddy peers over at Celia. “You said you do hair, right? Do you ever dye hair pink and stuff?”
“Sure,” Celia answers. “It can be a longer process than people realize, though.” She tilts her head and studies Madison for a minute. “You have such pretty hair, I’d hate to use so many chemicals on it. I could get you some nice extensions instead. If they’re done right, they blend right in and you can’t tell the difference.”
“Ooo! I like that idea.” She swivels her head my way. “Can I?”
“We’ll see. If your mom’s okay with it, then yeah.”
“Cool!”
I shake my head. More likely, Madison will forget all about it by the next time she visits.
And isn’t that a depressing thought.
My mother pats her hair. “Maybe I should come visit you before my trip.”
“Any time, Mrs. Wallace,” Celia says. “I’ll leave you my hours if you want.”
“Thank you, dear.”
I catch Jake’s eye and we nod at each other. Knowing my mother, she’ll come up with an excuse not to treat herself. It’ll be up to us to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“So Aubrey, did you really get my dad on social media?” Maddy asks, leaning over so she can see Aubrey better.
Aubrey coughs. “Uh, yes. I have a few ideas to attract more people to the gym. We started a YouTube channel too.”
“That’s kinda cool.”
“We’re each contributing short videos.” Jake smiles at Aubrey. “She’s a real ball-buster.”
“Jacob,” my mother warns.
Celia chuckles. “My sister can be very determined when she really believes in something.”
All this attention on her has Aubrey blushing bright red. “I think it will be a good way to grow the business.” She pushes some food around on her plate. “And it’s helping me out with one of my projects in school.”
“What are you studying, Aubrey?” my mother asks.
“Accounting.” She huffs out a sad laugh and gives her sister an apologetic shrug. “I’m not very good at it, though.”
Celia waves it off. “I told you to switch your major. If you do well with Strike Back, I’ll have you manage my social media next.”
“Celia wants to open her own salon eventually,” Aubrey explains. “And since no one wants to let me near their hair with sharp implements, I was going to try to help some other way.”
My mother beams. “Ah, like my boys in business together. I love that.”
I’ve never been clear whether my mother knows it’s Jake’s illegal fighting career that’s funded his business ventures. Including the cash he’s invested in Strike Back.
As we’re finishing dinner, my phone buzzes with a text that Maddy’s plane is due to arrive on time.
“All right, let’s help Grandma clear the table.” I stand, but my mother waves me off when I try to collect her plate.
“I’ve got this. You two need to get on the road.”
Aubrey and Celia stand too. “We’ll take care of this,” Aubrey says.
“Come give me a hug,” Jake says to Maddy. Like every time she gets ready to leave, he looks like he’s about to cry. Not that I’d ever say that out loud.
While they’re busy talking, I help Aubrey with the dishes. “I’m sorry I have to leave—”
“We’re fine. I want to help your mom out. That was like the best dinner I’ve had in ages.”
“Hey,” Celia says, bumping her hip against Aubrey. “See if I microwave you a dinner ever again.”
Aubrey rolls her eyes at her sister.
Madison pokes her head in the kitchen. “Bye, Aubrey. Bye, Celia. It was nice meeting you.”
Celia smiles. “You too. Come see me next time you visit and I’ll hook you up with the pink extensions.”
Finally something makes Maddy bounce with excitement again. “I can’t wait.”
I squeeze Aubrey’s hand and say a quick goodbye before heading out with Madison.
My mother walks out to the Jeep with us for extra Maddy hugs. “I’m going to miss you. Be a good girl.”
“I’m always good, Grandma.”
“You can call me too. You know I hate texts and face-chats.”
“Facetime, Grandma.”
“Whatever.”
After Madison hops in the Jeep to mess with the radio, I p
ull my mother aside. “Please go easy questioning Aubrey.”
Her eyes widen in indignation. “What? I didn’t ask any questions during dinner.”
I tilt my head in Maddy’s direction. “Yes, but now that you don’t have a certain audience…”
“Oh, stop. I’ll behave.” She tilts her head, staring at me for a moment. “I could tell she was nervous, but she seems very sweet.” A wistful sort of look passes over her face. “I like the way she looks at you.”
“How’s that?”
“Like she really cares about you and she respects your relationship with Maddy.”
I’m not sure how to respond, so I give her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. “See you a bit later.”
“Is it rude if we make a run for it now?” I whisper to Celia.
“Yes.” She shoves another plate in my hand. “Dry that.”
Much to my surprise, Jake’s helping us with the dishes. We have a nice little system going. Celia washes, I dry, Jake puts them away.
“Relax,” Jake says. “If my mother didn’t like you, you’d know.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
He chuckles and places the last dish in the cabinet. “Thanks for helping me do that,” he says.
“Why, because otherwise you’d do it by yourself?” Celia asks.
“Yes,” he answers simply.
“Oh, thank you, girls,” Mrs. Wallace calls out as she returns to the kitchen. “You really didn’t have to.”
“No problem. Thank you for having us,” Celia says.
“Was Maddy okay?” I ask before thinking it over. I hated the sadness that seemed to surround her when she had to say goodbye.
Mrs. Wallace tilts her head as if she’s surprised I noticed. “She’ll be okay.”
She walks us to the door and right before we step outside, pulls me in for a hug. At first, I’m startled and don’t know what the heck to do. But I hug her back just as tight. She’s warm and motherly. Two things I’ve never really known.
“See you soon,” she says.
Celia gets a quick hug too. “I left my number and hours on the counter, if you still want to stop in,” Celia says.
“Thank you, dear.”
In the car, Celia and I both stare at each other in awe.
“God, you better marry Sully,” she finally says. “His mom’s such an amazing cook. Can you imagine our mom ever feeding us fried chicken?”
Warnings and Wildfires Page 17
