“You are. It’s called getting in good with your inlaws. Besides, if you’re there already, you get to meet people as they arrive. If you are arriving after they’re already there, then you’re meeting everybody at once.”
“That is a good point,” Remi said, looking regretfully at the grill.
“I’m already thirty minutes ahead of schedule. Take Cristie her breakfast while it’s still hot. I got this. I’ll see you later.”
“Alright,” Remi said, picking up the coffee and the sandwich. “What is it that Riley’s going to be doing to get ready for everybody coming?”
“Any number of things. Cooking, barbecuing, cutting the grass, whatever he points you to.”
“Alright. I’m on it,” he said, heading out to cross the parking lot and let himself through the gate.
Less than three minutes later he was standing at Riley’s front door, knocking on the door instead of ringing the bell, in case anyone was still sleeping. His ears could pick up the sounds of clanging pots in the kitchen, and the murmur of voices from somewhere near the back of the house. As he listened he detected footsteps coming toward the front door. Remi stepped back a bit so he wasn’t right up against the doorway and could be easily seen through the peephole. He heard a feminine growl, then the lock turning and the door opening.
Cristie stood there, obviously having just awakened. Her hair was a mess — one side of it still tangled in a ponytail, with the other side falling down straight beside her cheek. There were even a few pieces sticking straight up out of her ponytail holder. She wore a ratty old bathrobe that threatened to come apart at the seams, a tank top, and a pair of flannel pajama bottoms, with her feet shoved into house slippers that had seen better days. She stood there bleary-eyed, glaring at him as she tried to blink away the sleepiness that still hung heavily over her. He smiled at her as he realized this was the most beautiful he’d ever seen her look.
“Morning,” he said.
“Mmhmm,” she said, scowling at him.
He raised his hands, presenting her with a coffee and her habitual sandwich.
Her eyes widened and she looked from the coffee to Remi. “Why?” she asked.
“Because you come get it every day. I knew you weren’t going in to work today and thought I’d bring it to you.”
She started to reach for the cup and the sandwich, then hesitated.
“I’ve already put your favorite creamer in it and so much sugar it might give you diabetes.”
She stifled a smile as she took the coffee and sandwich from him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Who’s at the door, baby?” Riley called as he came out of the kitchen.
“Remi,” she answered, then took a deep drink of the coffee. “Ohhh,” she sighed, hugging the coffee to her chest. “So good.”
Riley walked up to stand beside Cristie.
Cristie looked at her father. “This is coffee. Not that stuff you make.”
“There is nothing wrong with my coffee,” Riley said defensively.
“It’s bitter,” Cristie said.
“That’s the chicory. It’s supposed to be bitter,” Riley said, then looked at Remi with a look that said, ‘you understand, don’t you?’.
“I don’t like it. Remi saved me from having to drink it,” she said, holding up the to-go cup from the store.
“Did you say thank you?” Riley asked.
Cristie focused on Remi again. “Thank you, Remi. I was about to have to choke down the stuff my dad drinks. It’s bad.”
“It is not!” Riley called after her as she walked away. He was still shaking his head as he faced Remi again. “You busy?”
“No, sir. I helped Richie get the store ready, then decided to bring Cristie her usual breakfast when I was done. I figured I’d just go back home and wait until time to come over.”
Riley shook his head. “Consider this time to come over.”
