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Twenty-Eight

Luna

“I truly am so happy for you, my dears!” Kathy exclaims as we descend the steps of the Black family house. “But I need to see the ring again.” A wink. “Just to make sure my boy treated you right.”

“And because she’s like a magpie who likes shiny things,” Matt quips, earning himself a swat across the chest.

Grinning, I allow her to draw me to a stop at the end of the walkway, to gather in a little half-circle as I hold up my hand and let Aiden’s mom examine my ring for the umpteenth time since we showed up for lunch an hour ago.

The spread of sandwiches and soup, salads and a fruit tart for dessert was delicious.

But Aiden’s tired and I got a call from the shelter.

Despite it being my day off, they need me to talk with one of the newer girls who’s been staying there—a teenager who is sweet and quiet, but has only opened up to me.

Bri is great, but she’s been hurt far too often, and if she’s reaching out, asking for me, I’m going to talk to her, no matter the hour.

Honestly, I’m a little relieved for the out.

Kathy and Matt have been gracious and understanding, but it’s a lot— Kathy’s a lot. A buzzing tornado of energy.

She genuinely cares.

But I’ve spent the last few years taking care of Grams after living on my own. I’m not used to this amount of motherly fussing and though I feel a bit like a jerk, I need to up my tolerance of Kathy in small increments, I think.

Grams was nosy, but she had her own life.

Even when she was busy interfering in mine, she was doing her work at Smythe and visiting friends and always working on another project.

Kathy is?—

Well, she’s different.

Not bad.

But not what I’m used to.

A real mom.

“Beautiful,” Kathy murmurs, not looking at my ring, and my heart squeezes.

Because she’s looking at me.

Yeah, definitely not what I’m used to.

But I don’t stop her from tugging me in for another hug, from her whispering in my ear, “Just like you.”

“Thanks,” I whisper back.

She hugs me tight then draws back, cupping both of my cheeks.

“I’m just glad you’re in Aiden’s—and our—lives again, no matter how unconventionally that came about.

” Her mouth curves. “My Aiden has always been one to go his own way, so while you two showing up hitched is a surprise, it’s a good one.

We’re happy to have you in the family, sweetheart. ”

“You say that now, Mom,” Aiden teases. “Just wait until we hit you up to plan the party.”

“Party?”

“And why do her eyes light up with glee”—Aiden kisses the top of my head, pulls me back against him—“exactly the same way Smitty’s did when I promised he could help if you needed it.”

“Oh Smitty is such a dear,” Kathy says. “And he loves a party.” She tugs her phone out of her pocket. “I’ll call him right now, see what ideas he has.”

Aiden groans softly, but when I look up, he’s smiling. “At least it’ll keep them both busy for the foreseeable future,” he stage whispers.

My lips quirk.

“Do you need to borrow the truck to move Luna’s stuff into your condo?” Matt asks as Kathy starts typing on her phone, presumably texting Smitty for his thoughts on the upcoming party.

“That would be great,” Aiden says. “But it’ll be us moving my stuff into Luna’s place.”

My mouth falls open as I turn to him. “What?”

He touches my cheek. “It’s Grams’s house,” he says softly. “Where she taught you to cook and where she and your mom showed you the ropes of Gin Rummy. You have memories there—a lot of really good ones.” He shrugs. “Meanwhile, my condo is just a condo.”

“But your condo is close to the rink and you said you just bought it?—”

“So, I’ll sell it or rent it out. Plus, my neighbors are annoying as hell as you know.” Another shrug. “Because it has absolutely nothing on her place.”

“That’s perfect!” Kathy interjects. “I always hated him up in that building. A house is where you make a family, where you settle, not a concrete tower overlooking a busy street. Oh!” She claps her hands together.

“We’ll have the party celebrating you two there!

That way Grams and your mom will feel close to you, Luna. ”

My heart swells.

See? She’s a good person.

Just…a lot.

I grin as she focuses back on her phone, typing furiously and heaven help Smitty for the barrage of messages about to head his way.

“If I remember correctly,” she says to no one in particular, “the back yard would be perfect for a fall celebration—all of those trees…” She sighs contentedly.

“We can put up twinkly lights and it’ll be beautiful. ”

“I—”

The back yard?

Panic starts curling through my insides.

The house is barely together after the repairs—the rooms still full of boxes. Hell, most of the toilets haven’t been cleaned since…I don’t even know when. I’ve been slowly—read slowly —putting everything to rights, but the back yard is low down on that list, so it’s barely been touched.

Oh God.

I shudder at the state of it. It’s more weeds than trees at this point.

Grams would kill me if she saw the state of it.

Kathy with her twinkly lights and grand party plans? She’ll be disappointed.

And I can’t have that.

“Kathy,” I hedge. “The house isn’t ready?—”

Aiden draws me back against his chest, lips coming to my ear. “This is exactly the project she needs.” A gentle kiss. “Trust me.”

“I can’t ask her to clean?—”

“You’re not asking,” Kathy says firmly, still typing away on her phone. “I’m volunteering.”

“But the back yard is a mess and I only just moved my things into the house. I haven’t unpacked or dusted or cleaned toilets. It’s a disaster?—”

Kathy touches my shoulder. “I have this,” she says.

“Don’t worry. I know you mentioned that work is really busy for you right now—trying to get that new site off the ground and now having to go in on your day off.

But just leave it to us!” She takes Matt’s hand, practically bouncing with excitement. “We love a project.”

Matt’s face tells me that’s likely not true.

But he just nods, and although it’s a bit beleaguered, he draws Kathy close to his side and tells her, “This means I’m getting my new table saw.”

Saw?

Saw?

“Oh, good! Smitty told me he’s always wanted to learn how to use power tools.”

A sinking feeling churning through my stomach, I open my mouth to ask what exactly he’s going to need a saw for when a car tears into the driveway, screeching to a halt mere feet from us.

Aiden yanks me behind him, his big body between me and the threat. “What the?—?”

I peek out when I hear car doors slam and footsteps echo on the concrete of the driveway.

Then wish I didn’t when I see my father and brother stalking toward us.

The latter jabs a finger in my direction.

“You conniving little bitch!”