No getting his nose broken this time. No upsetting Sammy. Just…preparing for what might come next.
That was all.
When the bellon the door tinkled, Sammy jumped to attention.
Lia scowled at the girl. Ohthatshe heard, but not Albennie telling her three times to sift the flour before putting it in the batter.
Albennie had left for the day with thatknowinglook.You’re a softy, Lia Blair.
Sammy turned to Lia, hands clasped—her phone in between her palms. “Can I work the register?Please.”
Suspicious at Sammy’s sudden interest in doinganythingnot directly connected to that phone, Lia moved so she could see out into the storefront. Sammy’s friends, Izzy and Sarabeth, came in, chattering excitedly.
Sammy slid past Lia, not waiting for Lia’s answer. “You got it?” she demanded of the girls.
Sarabeth—by far the most extroverted and talkative of the three—did a full-blown jig. “I’m a licensed driver! Mom said I have to bring the car back by four, and I’m only allowed one friend at a time since you guys aren’t licensed drivers, so we’re just going to have to hang out here, but still! I drove over here all by myself.”
Lia watched the girls talk excitedly about this development. It was a sweet, very normal teenage thing, and it made her heart ache. She was so glad Sammy got to have this moment. She only wished she could have more like it, uncomplicated bylife.
But Sammy had told Lia, at least in vague terms, that these girls who’d become her friends had just as bad—if not worse—parental stories than she did, though they were both now in more stable situations than Sammy was. Though Lia didn’t think Sammy understood just how lucky she was to have that uncle of hers.
“It sounds like you girls should celebrate,” Lia said. All three heads turned to her. “Cupcakes on the house. Sammy, get the cupcakes then go ahead and take a break with your friends.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Sammy did a little jig of her own, talking animatedly about school-related things while she plated up cupcakes for herfriends. Lia went back into the kitchen, retrieved her purse, and pulled out cash to cover the treats. She’d add it to the till later, but she put it in her pocket so she’d remember.
When the bell on the door rang again, she glanced at the clock. Three. No doubt it was Gard. Lia didn’t rush out, though there was always that kind of knee-jerk reaction towantto.
She liked watching the way Sammy brightened. The wayGardbrightened when he arrived. Like they were always a little relieved the other was exactly where they were supposed to be.
It somehow made her both terribly sad that they worried, and heartwarmingly happy that they had each other. Lia knew all too well what it was like to have no one at all.
So she could only resist for a moment or two before she left the kitchen. Besides, it didn’thaveto be Gard. It could be a customer.
But of course it was him. Standing there in his uniform. Looking at Sarabeth with a mix of amusement and trepidation—which was usually how Lia felt about the confident teenager.
“Sammy doesn’t think you’ll let her go to my birthday party,” Sarabeth was saying to Gard.
“Well, she’s probably right.”
Sarabeth shook her head—not like she was upset with his answer, more like she was disappointed in him. She held out a piece of paper.
“This is my mom’s cell phone number. I’ll tell her you’re going to call her, and you can ask whatever questions you want. It’s just going to be pizza and cake—coed at my house, then a few of the girls are going to sleep over.”
Lia watched with interest as Gard looked down at the paper with a pained expression. He didn’t want to say yes, but Lia had a feeling he was about to have the fight of his life on his hands—while Izzy and Sammy watched from their table, nothing but crumbs left from their cupcakes.
“Plus, my stepdad’s brother’s wife’s cousin is Thomas Hart, and he works at Bent County too. He’s a detective, so you probably know him.” Sarabeth didn’t show so much of a hesitation in reciting that complicated and convoluted connection to a detective.
“Andmy baseball coach’s wife’s sister is married to Copeland Beckett,” Sarabeth continued. “He’s a detective too.”
“Yeah, I know the detectives, but that doesn’t—”
“Oh, and Izzy’s uncle is the sheriff of Sunrise.” She gestured back at the table at Izzy. “Andher aunt is Chloe Hudson. She works in the K9 unit at Bent County.”
“Yeah, I know Sheriff and Deputy Hudson,” Gard said firmly.
