Grinning, I reply. “Of course. We wouldn’t dare eat it all.”
Dad pulls the container from the fridge and gets a fork from the drawer before he leans back against the counter and starts eating.
“No, Harry!” Mom snaps. She makes a beeline for him and grabs the container from his hands. “Cut yourself a slice instead of eating like a barbarian.”
Dad steals another bite, and when she tries to slap his shoulder, he darts out of her reach.
With a playful scowl, Mom cuts two slices and places them on plates.
When they join us at the table, she asks, “What are you talking about?”
Sage gives me a panicked look, which has me answering, “I told Sage about my workshop. I want to get another table and more shelves.”
“I’ll have some time next month, then I can help you build the shelves,” Dad offers.
I nudge my shoulder against his. “That would be great. Thanks, Dad.”
“Do you still have enough space for all the shipping materials?” Mom asks.
“For now. But at some point, I might have to build onto the workshop.”
“How about we add a second floor because I’m not giving up more of my garden?” Mom replies.
“Oooh ...” I smile happily. “I love that idea.”
Sage glances at Dad and changes the subject by saying, “I read in the newspaper that you’re clamping down on drugs and crime. How’s that going?”
Dad lets out a huff, a frustrated expression passing over his face. “You know how it is. You cut off one head of the snake, and two grow back. It feels like a never-ending battle.”
“You’re making a difference,” Mom says, her voice filled with pride.
Dad smiles at her before turning his attention back to the last piece of his cake. “I know. I just wish things would move faster and not at a snail’s pace.”
“You’re doing things for this town no one else has ever done,” Sage says. “And people are noticing.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.”
I lift my hand and rub Dad’s shoulder before gathering the empty plates. While I load them into the dishwasher, Mom says, “I’m calling it a night. I want to read a little before bed.” She presses a kiss to the top of Sage’s head, then comes to do the same to me. “Night, girls.”
“Night, Mom,” Sage and I reply.
My sister looks at me. “Do you want to watch a movie?”
“Sure. Just give me a few minutes to dry my hair.”
“Great!” She darts to her feet and heads for the pantry. “I’ll make popcorn.”
“You two enjoy the movie.” Dad gets up from the chair. “I’m going to lock up, then I’m turning in as well.”
“Night, Dad,” I say as I leave the kitchen.
“Night, buttercup.”
When I reach my bedroom, I shut the door so the noise of my hair dryer won’t bother my parents. I take a seat at my dressing table and pull the brush through my hair to get rid of the knots before I begin to dry the strands.
I have thick hair like Dad, and if I leave it to air-dry, I’ll end up looking like Hagrid fromHarry Potter.
Halfway through the tiring process, I hear a sharp sound, and switching off the hair dryer, I frown as I listen more carefully.
