Page 111 of Burning Ember

“Ummm, this one’s apple.”

“Doll made them,” Bethany adds. “There’s also lemon and cherry.”

“Oh, wow. Thank you.” Nick’s smile brightens a bit more. “They look great. We better put them away though or they’ll be gone before the guys even get here.” She calls Taffy over.

“Oh, my God, you really came!” Taffy screeches.

Taffy reminds me of a butterfly. Not only because her hair’s pale blonde and has a teal streak running through it from root to end, but because she’s unique and more social than any one person should be. There’s always a bounce to her step as if she can’t stand to keep her feet on the ground. Her skin’s ivory and flawless, and she has the same steely blue eyes as Dozer. Her pert little nose is pierced and she’s wearing a white baby doll dress with wedge sandals.

Addressing me, she says, “Hi, Doll. I’m so glad you came!”

“Thanks.”

Her gaze shifts to the angel in my arms. “Look at you,” she says. “You get cuter and cuter every day.” She tickles Medda, who’s clinging to my side, making her giggle.

Then she moves on to Bethany.

Nick scolds, “Taffy, you’re gonna make her drop the dessert.”

“Calm down, Ma. It’s fine.” Taffy playfully smiles and takes one of the pies from Bethany. “It’s been forever since I’ve seen you.” She gives us both a sly wink, looking so much like her mother as she does so. But I’m guessing by her comment, Nick doesn’t know about our little shopping trip. She wasn’t invited to my knowledge, so maybe that’s why.

Nick takes the other pie from Bethany and puts it in Taffy’s other hand. “Hide these in the pantry until later, will you?”

“Sure.” Taffy turns and strides toward the back door.

Kendra pulls Bethany in for a long hug. “I can’t believe it myself, woman. Where in the hell have you disappeared to?” Pulling back, Kendra plants her hand on her hip and centers an intense look on Bethany.

“Just a lot going on with work and the kids. It seems like just when I’ve got one person hired and trained at the bar, someone else quits. I’m down a bartender and a busser, and I was having issues with the babysitter.”

“If you need help with the kids—”

“Actually, Doll’s going to start watching them for me, so I think I’m good there.”

“You know I’ll help out if you ever need me to. With the kids or at the bar. I’m not looking for a full time job, but I can sling drinks or clean tables for a night or two if you get in a bind.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’ll let you know if I do.”

“That’s nice of you to help out,” Kendra says to me. Nick nods and appraises me, which has my nerves perking up again.

I shrug. “I needed a job and a place to stay. Bethany was nice enough to give me a chance.”

Kendra gestures toward the pie in my hands. “Here let me take that inside for ya.”

“Oh . . . sure. Thanks.” I hand it over.

Blaire comes over and greets everyone cordially, except me. She’s not as welcoming or as sassy sweet as Kendra. In fact, the way she’s looking at me makes me feel as if I’m wearing stilettos and a short skirt. The other old ladies catch on to the tension and the conversation feels a bit forced after that. The entire time I can feel Blaire’s cold stare boring into me. She doesn’t want me here. That much is obvious.

I’m tempted to make an excuse to get away, maybe take Medda to play with the other kids. I’d feel more comfortable around a bunch of children, but my gut tells me chickening out isn’t the best thing to do. I get the feeling weak women don’t last long here.

“Ma, when are the guys supposed to get back?” Taffy asks as she strolls back toward our little group.

“Anytime now,” Nick states.

Medda’s playing with the silver bracelets Bethany loaned me. She lets out a little giggle each time I shift my arm up and down and her little fingers get stuck between them, like it’s a game. I love her laugh. So carefree. It helps sooth my nerves and gives me something else to focus on besides the death stare I’m receiving.

“You’re good with her,” Nick comments.

I glance up at her. “Oh . . . thanks.” Feeling the need to say more, I go on. “I have a five-year-old niece. I watched her all the time when she was little like this.”