Page 36 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

“He has a very nice smile.” The words popped out before Myles even thought to censor himself.

Jet’s head jerked up, and his dark eyes narrowed at Myles, though he said nothing.

“His favourite kind of pie is blueberry, if anyone is asking.”

Myles and Shelly both turned to see who had spoken. The waitress grinned at them from the pass-through where she had replaced the coffee pot with a full, steaming one.

Jet snorted and went back to his phone.

“Oh.” Myles tipped his near empty cup to peer inside.

“Although I think the only kind he ever turns down,” she went on, spinning the pot in place as she spoke, “is mincemeat, and who can blame him, really?” She wiggled her fingers at Shelly. “He’s my brother.”

“You’re Stephanie.” Myles turned in his seat to face her better.

“I am.” She picked up the coveted pot and held up a finger. “Wait right there. I’ll come to you.”

Since she had the pot in her hand, he wasn’t going to argue.

A moment later, she poured coffee for him into a fresh cup.

“Thank you.”

“Saw you eyeing it. Sorry about the wait. Jake got distracted. Sometimes it can be hard to pull him back on task, and last night was rough for him.” She grimaced. “And today is hard for me, to just let him get on with things at his own pace.” She waved a hand and blew a strand of her pale blond hair away from her face. “But that’s a me thing, right?”

“I can understand him being upset. Anyone would be, walking in on things like he did. Steven was bleeding, and he doesn’t know me. It’s natural.”

“Of course. No, you’re right. It’s more me having a hard time stepping back and letting him process. Lucy is so much better at that than I am.”

Myles glanced at Shelly, noticed he’d done it, and looked out the window. “That, I completely understand.”

“It was good you were there to take care of things. Thank you for that.”

“All I did was clean up a bit. Lucky and Kreed helped Jake. I hope he’s okay now.”

“He is. They both are, thanks to the cavalry.” She sighed and followed Shelly’s rapt interest to where Steven swung and sipped his drink. “The fact he has come out to drink his coffee on the porch every morning lately is, frankly, a relief.”

Myles frowned at her, wanted to ask why, but didn’t, because it was none of his business.

“Never mind.” Stephanie shook herself and turned to Shelly. “I’ll tell you what, sweetie.” She gently touched Shelly’s forearm to get her attention. It worked, and Shelly looked up at her, eyes wide. “If it’s okay with your uncle, I have a little favour to ask.”

“What?”

Stephanie suppressed a smile and winked at her. “Usually, I bring Steven a bagel or something for breakfast. But since Jake is a little bit grumpy this morning, he doesn’t want to come out of the kitchen, which means Mr. Kreed needs my help.”

“You want me to bring Mr. Steven his breakfast?”

“Would you?” She glanced at Myles, who nodded and tried not to let how interested he was in seeing Steven again show on his face.

“Yes!” Shelly bounced in her seat. “Uncle My-my, can we? Pleeease?”

“Sure, Shell. Jet? You want to come?”

“Why?” Jet scowled up at him.

Myles winced. He should have known almost-amenable Jet from last night was too good to last. “I don’t know. Books?”

“Comics,” Stephanie put in. “Graphic novels. LPs. There’s a record player upstairs. isn’t there?” she asked, pointing at the ceiling.