Page 48 of Fallen Flame

“You’ve been holding the same piece for five minutes.”

“I was thinking.”

“That’s dangerous.”

Nikki narrowed her eyes. “I can think.”

Alice took a drink of coffee. “I didn’t say you couldn’t. I said it was dangerous.”

I laughed into my cereal.

Nikki pointed the toast at Alice. “Keep it up, and I’ll tell Wrecker you’ve been making plans without him.”

Alice didn’t even blink. “He already assumes that.”

“Because you are.”

“Exactly,” Alice winked at her.

The front door swung open, and Wendy walked in with Karmen right behind her.

Neither woman said good morning. They headed straight for the coffee pot, and Alice watched them go.

“Should we speak to them?”

“No,” Nikki answered. “Not until the first cup.”

Wendy reached for a mug without turning around. “Smart woman.”

Karmen filled her cup and took a long drink before she finally looked over at us. “Morning.”

“See?” Nikki said. “Now she’s ready.”

Wendy leaned against the counter with her coffee held in both hands. “I’m not ready. I’m just less likely to stab someone.”

Alice nodded. “Progress.”

More people began drifting into the common area. Ever came in first, rubbing sleep from one eye. Adley followed, and Star wandered in a few minutes later.

The room filled quickly.

Cabinet doors opened and closed. Someone started another pot of coffee. Chairs scraped across the floor while conversations overlapped until I couldn’t follow any one of them.

Eden shuffled into the room last. Her hair was piled on top of her head in a messy knot, and she wore an oversized sweatshirt that looked like it belonged to a giant. She dropped into the chair beside me and rested her cheek on the table.

“I-I w-want my b-bed.”

Alice looked over. “You’ll have it tomorrow for one night.”

Eden lifted her head. “W-We’re g-going h-home?”

“Yes.” Alice set her phone on the table. “I need to be at the farm, and you need more than an hour a day with your animals while your dad stands there checking his watch.”

Eden sat up straighter. A smile spread across her tired face. “R-Really?”

“Really.”

Nikki raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised Wrecker is letting you go back.”