by Carol Ross
“Yes,” Charlotte gushed.
“No,” Mia countered, glaring playfully at Charlotte. “Mom, why does Coby hate me?”
“Now, Mia, as an instructor you can tell who really has their chakra in it. And I have to say, you don’t seem to be as focused as you could be.”
“Mom, I am focused. I have to be focused so I don’t fall over.”
Charlotte laughed and eyed her doubtfully. “You did have your cell phone stuffed into your sports bra. Although I would have, too, if I was waiting on a call from that bundle of Coast Guard hotness.”
“Jay!” Nora exclaimed.
“Yes, I was waiting for Jay to call me back but don’t get your hopes up, Mom. He’s—”
Charlotte nudged her, throwing a meaningful glance over Mia’s shoulder.
Any hope Mia had that Jay hadn’t heard that exchange was dashed when she turned to face him. His lips seemed to be quivering with laughter, and one brow nudged up onto his forehead in question. “Jay’s what?” he asked. “What am I?”
“Here. You’re here and...” She offered lamely, embarrassed yet irrationally happy to see him at the same time. Before she could formulate a reasonable response, Levi and a teenage girl walked up to join them. How nice. Had Levi managed to find a friend already?
Levi greeted her, “Hey, Dr. Frasier.”
The girl reached out a hand. “You’re the amazing Dr. Frasier? It’s so awesome to finally meet you. I’m Laney. Thank you so much for fixing Coastie. We all love her so much. My brother has lost his mind over that dog. You should see him. He talks to her like she’s a person and he has names for the noises she makes—”
Jay put a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “This is our sister, Laney, who talks too much and often exaggerates. We’re looking into some professional help for that. Laney, this is Dr. Frasier and her mom, Nora, and...”
He continued speaking but Mia quit listening to take in this new information. A sister, too? Jay hadn’t mentioned that his sister was staying with him as well. Sweet, she thought, two teens staying with their big brother for a while. Although... It still struck her as odd that he hadn’t mentioned them before now.
“Charlotte Graham,” Charlotte’s voice pulled her back into the conversation. “Delighted to meet you, Laney.”
Easy small talk ensued until Lily, the owner of Tabbie’s, came hustling over. Her eyes darted around their small crowd before settling on Nora. “Are you guys all together? Because one of the big tables in the back is open and I could seat you all there now.”
“How lovely! That works for us,” Nora exclaimed. “Does that work for you guys?”
Levi was nodding, but Mia thought it was nice how Jay looked at Laney for confirmation.
She chimed in with an enthusiastic, “Sure.”
Lily led them through the restaurant to a large picnic-style table in the back room. Somehow, Mia wound up sitting next to Jay. Levi sat across from him, Laney on the other side of Jay, with her mom across from Laney. Charlotte took the spot across from Mia, smiling like the Cheshire cat as her gaze bounced between Mia and Jay. Mia narrowed her eyes, warning her friend to behave.
The hostess brought menus and ice water as they settled in at the table.
“I got your message,” Jay said. “I tried to call you back but I don’t have your cell number. That is definitely news worthy of celebration.”
“Isn’t it? It might be a while before she lets us in there. Her daughter will be making a visit and they’re going to clean up a bit first, but yes, definitely exciting news.”
Laney said, “I’m excited to help with your cat rescue stuff. I love cats. I’ve always wanted a cat.” She slid a hopeful gaze toward Jay.
He’d recruited his brother and sister to help with Lucky Cats? Warmth and appreciation mingled inside her.
Jay smiled. “We’re out celebrating, too.” He gestured at his sister. “Laney has a promising volleyball career at Pacific Cove High School next year.”
“Yeah, that and we don’t have any water,” Levi chimed in.
“No water?”
“It’s not a big deal. I’ve got a leaky pipe. I was fixing it but I needed a part and the hardware store is closed.”
“I love a man who knows his plumbing,” Nora chimed in.
Mia groaned inwardly as Charlotte nearly spit out her water. Levi was chatting with a waitress and Laney was on her phone so they didn’t seem to notice. Jay grinned and gave her a wink. She felt herself melt into the bench. What was it about that wink? She quickly recovered.
“You guys are going to school at Pacific Cove next year?” Mia asked Levi, her brain now spinning with questions.
“Laney is,” Levi explained. “I’m taking online classes.”
Jay interrupted, “He’ll start his junior year there in the fall.”
“Maybe,” Levi said. “They have an online program I could do for the rest of high school.”
“Not maybe,” Jay said, and began a discussion with Levi about school.
Mia quit listening. Obviously, her assumption that the kids were just visiting wasn’t accurate. What was going on? She remembered Jay mentioning a mom that day at her house. She thought back, trying to recall if he’d mentioned any other family. Nothing came to mind. Come to think of it, it seemed a little odd that Levi hadn’t mentioned in the interview that he’d moved here to live with his brother. Didn’t it? Where was their mom?
At the first break in conversation, she asked, “Is your mom moving here, too?”
Beside her, Jay went still.
Levi looked down, studying his menu.
Laney froze for a long second and then pointed at Nora’s nails and asked where she got them done.
Charlotte watched the exchange and Mia knew she caught on to the awkward moment as well.
Jay cleared his throat and answered with a vague, “Um, no, she’s not.”
She’d have to be completely dense not to pick up on an off-limits question when she asked one. She felt bad about making them all uncomfortable even as her curiosity increased. She hoped that everything was okay with their family, even as she sensed that it wasn’t.
The waitress showed up to take their order. After she departed, Mia leaned over to look at Laney. “Congratulations about the volleyball.”
“Thank you!” Laney gushed. She went on to describe her plans and her desire for a volleyball scholarship. She ended with, “I really want to go to college. And I mean going away to college and really having the university experience. Do you know what I mean?”
Mia assured her that she did. She’d been ecstatic to go away herself. Getting away from her father had been at the top of her list. “I’m sorry about the water. Are you going to be okay going to school tomorrow without water? You’re welcome to come over and use our shower if you need to.”
Laney perked up. “Really? Are you sure?”
“Yes, of course. We have three guest rooms. If you want to stay the night I can give you a lift to school in the morning.”
“That would be beyond awesome, Dr. Frasier. Jay, is that okay? Elise said I could stay there, but her entire family has the stomach flu.”
“Um, I don’t know... It feels like a lot to ask—”
“Nonsense!” Nora piped up. “We’d love to have her.”
“Pleeeaaase, Jay,” Laney pleaded. “I can’t go to school without water.”
Mia wanted to laugh. Only a teenage girl could make a lack of water sound like a life-and-death situation.
“Okay, then,” Jay acquiesced. Mia wondered if she was imagining the flatness to his tone and tightness around his jaw. Surely he didn’t have a problem with her helping out his sister, did he?
* * *
AFTER DINNER, JAY drove Laney home to get supplies to stay the night and then
brought her to the house. While Nora gave Laney a tour, Mia took the opportunity to talk to Jay.
“You’re okay with her staying here?”
He nodded, but she could hear that same tension in his voice as he answered, “Yeah, sure. Thank you for offering.”
“But... I probably should have asked you first before I suggested it.”
He paused as if considering the question. “No, it’s fine. I’m... I hate to put you out.”
“But you didn’t ask. I volunteered.”
One side of his mouth pushed up like he was trying to smile but couldn’t quite get there. “Help is kind of a tricky thing. I’m not good at accepting it. I’m used to taking care of things myself. My siblings and I are a very close-knit unit.”
This was odd. He seemed uncomfortable with the conversation, with any discussion that revolved around his family. They were “close-knit” yet he hadn’t mentioned them? Mia thought about that. Curiosity mingled with concern and she had to bite her cheek to keep from asking more questions.
“Jay!” Laney said as they came back inside from their tour of the deck. “They have a hot tub.”
Jay smiled. “Very cool, Lanes. Levi is going to pick you up and take you to school on his way to work, okay? Call or text if you need anything.”
“Sounds good. Thanks, Jay.” She hugged her brother goodbye.
Mia showed Laney to one of the guest rooms upstairs.
“Wow,” Laney said as she walked over to the window and looked out at the view. She circled around the room and then sat on the fluffy sea-green comforter adorning the bed. Mia headed into the bathroom to make sure it was stocked with the essentials. Laney followed and Mia pointed out where the towels and other toiletries were stored.
“This bathtub! Holy cow!” There was a six-foot cast-iron claw-foot tub enclosed in a cave of pastel-colored tiles set in a mosaic pattern against a dove-gray background. Brightly colored fish, a mermaid, anemones and other sea creatures formed an under-the-ocean scene.
Mia laughed. “It’s pretty, huh?”
“Pretty? It’s gorgeous! Delilah would freak out.”
“Delilah?”
Laney looked up. “Yeah, my little sister. She’s four and thinks she’s a mermaid.”
Another sister? Mia was realizing how little she knew about Jay. “That’s adorable. Feel free to soak as long as you’d like.”
Laney turned questioning eyes on her. “Are you sure?”
“Yep. That’s what it’s here for.”
“But... That wouldn’t be wasting too much water?” And that’s when Mia knew for sure something serious was going on with this family.
“No. I have plenty of water. I’m thrilled for the tub to get used.”
“Thank you so much. This is totally gorgeous. It’s like a fancy hotel. Or what I imagine a fancy hotel would look like. I’ve never stayed in any room this nice. I’ve never even had my own room, until now, with Jay.”
“Really?”
Laney nodded. “I’ve always shared with at least one of my sisters. First Josie, then there were three of us once Delilah came along. After Jay left I thought that was kind of unfair, three girls having to share, but only two boys.” She added a laugh. “Of course, I get it now that I’m older.”
This brought the total to six Johnston siblings while the level of mystery surrounding this family heightened exponentially. Where were the younger ones? Mia now knew that they didn’t all have the same last name, so maybe some of them lived with their dad? Curiosity swirled through her. Keeping her voice casual as she leaned a shoulder against the door frame she asked, “You have three brothers?”
Mia watched Laney’s expression go from happy-dreamy to startled to shuttered in the space of a few seconds. “Um, yep. Another little brother, Dean. He’s six. Three brothers and two sisters and me. Is there any certain time I need to be in or out of the bathroom?”
It took her a second to realize Laney was not only changing the subject, she was probably asking this question because she was likely used to a bathroom schedule. Mia’s best friend for a year in middle school had been one of eight children. One bathroom and a house full of people meant finding enough time for everyone. What was the story here? As interested as she was, she didn’t feel right quizzing a fifteen-year-old.
“Nope, there are two and a half bathrooms downstairs, too. This one is all yours.”
“This will also be a first,” she said. She added a bright smile, but Mia could see the trace of sadness in the child’s expression. She so badly wanted to ask questions, help in some way, but sensed that further inquiries would only cause her to clam up.
Mia placed her hands on her hips and returned the smile. “Well, then, enjoy. And you’re welcome to stay over anytime. If those brothers of yours are getting you down, come on over and we’ll have a girls’ night.” She added a wink. “Let me know if you need anything else.”
CHAPTER TEN
“IT SOUNDS LIKE an alien,” Laney said.
“Or some kind of possessed creature,” Levi offered.
Jay couldn’t dispute either description. His skin tingled along his arms and across the back of his neck at the sounds coming from beneath the shed’s shale rock foundation. It really was otherworldly.
Jay, Levi and Laney gaped at the ancient but sturdy outbuilding behind Minnie Mason’s old but perfectly kept house. According to Minnie, the small rectangular structure had once housed chickens but was now used for storing her garden supplies. Its coat of yellow paint was fading to gray, giving it that worn patina people were paying big bucks for these days. She’d proudly informed them that the house had been in her family for 152 years, so he was pretty sure Minnie’s shed had come by this state naturally. Her immaculate grounds, on the other hand, clearly took countless hours of hard work.
“How are we going to get it?” Laney asked.
Jay shone his flashlight into the darkened crevice again where the beam met a pair of startled greenish-yellow eyes. They were attached to a cat. Its mangy, buff-colored fur puffed out like a blowfish while it uttered low-pitched growls interspersed with bouts of spitting, hissing and mewling.
He lowered the flashlight. “Let’s go with possessed alien. And I have absolutely no idea.”
It was Saturday morning, and the Lucky Cats team had managed to catch two strays so far. Besides Jay, Levi, Laney, Mia and Nora, two other volunteers had shown up, Ty, a high school girl with blue hair and a cast on one arm, and Minnie, the woman who owned the shed with the creature currently cornered.
Mia had taken the first two rescues to the clinic. Nora and Ty were at a property across town scouting the possible location of a stray female with a reported five kittens. Jay, Levi and Laney were at Minnie’s trying to catch this particular tomcat that Minnie insisted was a menace to the entire neighborhood, and her yard in particular.
“How’s it going?” Minnie asked as she shuffled over from where she’d wandered off to pull an errant weed in one of her flower beds.
Mentally sharp and clearly spry, Minnie was about a hundred and three years old, Jay estimated. There was no way he could ask her to crawl under the shed. Unless... Maybe she had experience from the fur-trapping days.
“Do you have experience with this cat-trapping business, Minnie?”
“Nope. Just tired of the neighborhood cats doing their business in my flowers. Decided to be part of the solution. And while this one has pretty much moved in uninvited, I’m feeling kind of bad about sending him to kitty-cat heaven.”
“Oh, don’t worry,” Levi piped up. “He won’t be euthanized. We take the cats to the vet clinic to be spayed and neutered.”
Minnie placed a hand on her hip and peered at Levi thoughtfully. “And then what?”
“Well, depending on how wild he is, he’ll either be adopted
or released...”
Minnie’s wrinkles evolved into a scowl.
Too late Levi realized his mistake. “But I’m sure—”
“Released?” she barked out. “You mean to tell me I’m helping out with some kind of catch-and-release program here? You’re gonna fix ’em up only to turn them loose into my flower beds again?”
“Sort of... I mean, the cats will be so much healthier and better off and they won’t be reproducing or spreading diseases—”
“What about my cosmos? You think they’ll be better off?” She threw her hands up in a gesture of helpless frustration. “Go ahead and catch that thing, but I don’t want to see him around here again.” With that, she stalked off toward her rose garden.
“And then there were three,” Laney joked.
“This is ridiculous,” Jay said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Well,” Laney said, handing him a pair of safety goggles, “I feel like getting your eyes scratched out would be the worst. But I wouldn’t want to get bitten by that thing, either. Judging from its teeth it’s part shark.”
“I think it’s more scared than anything else,” Levi offered as he passed Jay a pair of Kevlar gloves.
Jay figured Levi was probably right. In spite of its bravado, he could see the cat had a tattered ear and a weepy eye. Sympathy tugged at him. He knew what it was like to fight and scrap for everything you had. Mia had said that farmers or ranchers would often adopt not-quite-tame cats to live in their barns or stables to help with rodent control. Even regular folk would often feed a stray living on their property. In other words, as long as they were healthy and neutered, they stood a chance for a better life. This guy deserved to have that chance.
He pointed. “Laney, put one trap at that end of the shed. Levi, you put the other one down there. When it bolts, it’s only got two ways to get out. Right into one of the traps. Boom, and we’ve got it.”
The kids put the cages into position. “Make sure the hole is firmly over the opening.”
