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“Any news from Jessamine?” Iris asked.
“No, ma’am. She told me she was picking up the family at the airport at noon, and they are supposed to be here by twelve thirty. That’s the last I’ve heard from her.”
“By the way, how is your summer job with the police going?” Ellen asked. Iris knew her sister really did care about Martell, but she was sure the timing of the question had a lot more to do with avoiding the topic of Paul’s impending nuptials.
“Really well, thank you. I even got to go on a ride-along with Adam. I mean Detective Cook.”
“You are family, Martell,” Ellen said. “It’s okay for you to call him Adam.”
“But not to his face,” Iris said, rising from her chair. “Speak of the devil.”
Adam trudged along, struggling under the weight of an enormous wicker basket. “Heads up,” Martell called to Paul and threw him the football. He chased off toward Adam. “Here, let me help you with that,” he said and relieved Adam of his burden. The older man regarded the younger with a mixture of gratitude and hurt pride.
Iris jumped in to save Martell from the consequences of his good intentions. “Martell was telling us how much he enjoyed going out with you on a ride-along.”
Adam stopped and flashed her a look that said he knew what she was up to. “Yeah,” he said, patting Martell on his back. “He’s going to make a fine officer after he finishes his degree in criminal justice.”
“All right, all right, I get the message loud and clear,” Martell said and smiled at Adam. Martell idolized the detective. His expression gave that much away.
“Martell,” Paul called and held the ball aloft. Martell ran off in Paul’s direction, catching the ball as it came his way.
“So where is that handsome brother of ours?” Ellen asked. She was not about to discuss Paul’s wedding plans today; that was pretty clear.
“Dear Lord, do not get me started. I feel like I am living in the Twilight Zone.” He snorted. “Ponder this if you will. My soon-to-be husband is going to arrive late today as he and my ex-wife are busy planning a party for Jordan.”
“That’s right,” Iris said, grabbing Adam’s hand and shaking his arm. “He finishes his internship soon!”
Adam smiled proudly. “My son, the doctor.” His eyes narrowed and gleamed with mischief. “How about you, Ellen? Are we to have the pleasure of Tucker Perry’s company today?”
“Why yes, we just might. He’s got some deal cooking that he insisted couldn’t wait, but he promised he’d try to make it.” Ellen suddenly seemed to take offense. “Listen, I know you all don’t like Tucker—”
“We all like Tucker fine,” Iris said, “but you’d better warn him that if he lives up to his reputation and breaks your heart, I will turn him into a toad.”
Ellen looked at her sister with a deadpan face. “If Tucker breaks my heart, I will turn him into a toad without your help, thank you.”
“Note to self,” Adam said. “Never piss off a Taylor.”
“That is good counsel to keep, Detective,” Iris said, feeling happy. No, she didn’t have a special man in her life. Not even a scalawag like Tucker. But she wasn’t alone, and she was a very happy woman. She said a silent prayer of thanks for the day she found the strength to send Connor packing. She’d heard he’d remarried. For the fourth time. This time a witch who lived outside Tulsa. Iris wished Connor all the happiness he deserved.
All thoughts of Connor vanished as she caught sight of a certain redheaded toddler stumbling along, one hand holding on to his mother, the other balled up and stuffed in his mouth. “Colin,” Iris said and held her arms open. Maisie released him, and the boy carried on with faltering yet functional steps until he collapsed in his great-aunt’s loving embrace. Peter followed behind, weighted down like a pack mule with his son’s accoutrements. “Happy Fourth,” he said, unburdening himself first of a highchair, then of a diaper bag.
“Happy Fourth, sweetie,” Ellen said, then went up on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek.
“Mom and Dad will be here in a bit. They told me to warn you they can’t stay long.”
“We understand,” Iris said and scooped little Colin up in her arms. “After Saint Paddy’s and Christmas, this is the bar’s biggest day.”
“Listen, I hate to bring this up,” Peter said as he and Maisie exchanged a nervous glance, “but will Emmet be here today?”
“We did invite him. We felt a duty to,” Iris said, realizing the Great Shift did perhaps claim one last victim: the golem that had been created to attend the drawing of the lots that would determine Ginny’
s replacement. Something had occurred during the change that left him a living being. A man in his own right.
“Listen,” Peter said. “I don’t know why. Heck, I don’t think Mom even knows for sure herself, but she just plain does not like that guy. If he does show up . . .”
“We’ll make sure to keep them separated.”
“I don’t think we have anything to worry about,” Ellen said, her attention suddenly becoming the sole possession of Colin. “No we don’t. No we don’t,” she cooed at the boy, whose face lit up at her attention. “The last several weeks, Emmet’s taken to spending most of his time at Bonaventure. I don’t know what it is about the place that attracts him so, but I’ve followed him there a couple of times.”
