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Butfriends.Even the word in my thoughts made me smile. It had been a long time since I’d used the word or the sentiment, and it was long overdue. Wes had been the only one on my side for so long. At least now he had someone to share the burden of me.
I smothered a giggle as I rolled over.
I closed my eyes again, chasing sleep, but my thoughts raced at a million miles an hour, my to-do list already formulating in my head. There were too many things to keep track of, and the specter of unsorted paperwork loomed large in the attic.
I wriggled. Maybe if I just took a few deep breaths and pretended to be asleep a little while longer, I’d drift back off.
But instead of bringing relaxation, my deep breathing only brought me the scent of warm cinnamon apples. My nose twitched and my eyes sprang back open.
I slowly got myself out of my prone position and crept around Wes and Charmaine as they lay in their tangle of pajamas and limbs, following the unusual aroma of country-style breakfast. Mom might not have woken me with apples for breakfast ever. This wasn’t her usual style at all, and I certainly hadn’t expected her to whip up breakfast for my friends in the few hours before her departure.
I’d expected her to still be dancing from room to room, but not necessarily doing anything practical like eating.
I dragged my blanket tighter around me. It was just the old crocheted one that Mom had kept over the back of the couch forever. The aroma of cooking apples grew stronger as I reached the kitchen and peered inside.
“Mom?”
She turned at the sound of my voice, and a smile took control of her lips. My mom wasn’t the only person in the kitchen, though, and I curled my bare toes out of view. My over-sized T-shirt suddenly felt like far too little clothing, even with the blanket on.
There was a man with her. He was tall, with a white beard and a bald head. He looked like a cross between a Hells Angel and Gandalf, if any of those people ever dressed in black commando gear.
Power rippled from him, and he smelled of danger…as well as the apples I’d come in here to find. My stomach grumbled with the disappointment of realizing that my idea of breakfast was merely this strange guy who seemed to have made himself at home at Mom’s kitchen island.
He held a coffee and took occasional sips as he glanced around, the alertness in his eyes belying his relaxed demeanor. He was clearly on his guard, despite enjoying a casual morning coffee.
Mom didn’t seem to notice that, though, as she practically floated toward me, her strange caftan-type clothing billowing, her bracelets jingling as she reached for my arms. Agatha might have had more of an influence on Mom than I’d initially anticipated.
“Jo!” Her voice was warm as she enveloped me in a huge hug, swallowing me in a cloud of chiffon scarves and floral perfume. “You’re awake. Do you want some coffee? Where are your friends?” She glanced past me into the hallway. “Come and sit down.” She gestured to one of the free bar stools. “We were just talking about the trip.”
“You were?” I looked between Mom and this strange guy. Since when had he been included in Mom’s circle of friends, and why was she telling him her plans? I’d never seen him before, and he hadn’t attended Dad’s service.
“Oh, how rude of me.” Mom pressed her hand to her chest. “You two haven’t even met. Jo this is Royce. Royce, this is my daughter Jo. She’s kept me sane through everything recently.”
The man nodded.
“Hello,” I managed, but I still didn’t have a clue who he was. Knowing his name hadn’t made me any wiser.
He nodded again.
“Royce is my personal tour guide for my excursion around the world.” Mom gushed the words effusively as she opened a cupboard and reached for a coffee mug before approaching the Keurig.
“Your what?” That didn’t make a whole lot of sense. She hadn’t mentioned any kind of personal service before. And certainly not some random guy who only had a first name, like he was some sort of ‘80s pop singer as his part-time gig. “When did you arrange that?” Concern gave rise to my question.
Mom grinned and her next words were most definitely sing-song, like a child telling me something they knew that I didn’t know. “I’ve been upgraded to first class.” She started ticking things off on her fingers. “I’ve got a personal concierge, all expenses are paid, there are shopping excursions, and some ladies from the Silver Claw pack will be joining me.” Her excitement overflowed into the kitchen, practically coloring the air in vibrant shades.
I shook my head. “When did all this happen?” How fucking long had I been asleep? “And do I need to worry?”
“Oh…it only happened yesterday. But absolutely no need to worry.” Mom jingled again as she passed a steaming mug of coffee to me. “It was April Crenshawe—” She said the name in a hushed tone like she was talking about a movie star lingering within hearing distance. “And well, last night while you were hanging out with your friends, she reached out to me to tell me about all the upgrades and see if she could join me. She said she’d heard about what happened and wanted to support me however she could.” Mom’s smile couldn’t have gotten any wider. “But enough about me.” She shook her head slightly as though ridding herself of her starstruck feelings. “Did you have a nice time last night, sweetheart?”
We hadn’t told Mom about the car wreck, and now I was glad we hadn’t. I wouldn’t have wanted to spoil her trip. Especially not now it had been turbo-charged with some sort of Crenshawe magic.
“And that reminds me.” She continued her stream of thought without even waiting for me to answer her question. “You’re welcome to stay at the house while I’m away — with your friends, too, if you like. It will save you being lonely at your place. Besides, I hate to think of this house so quiet and alone. It’s a big space and it needs filling.”
I glanced at the man Mom had introduced only asRoyceagain before refocusing back on my mother. Life was just becoming stranger and stranger, quite honestly. “Would you still like me to see you off to the cruise terminal at the pier in a little while?” I wrapped my hands around the mug as I brought it to my mouth.
I wasn’t cold, but some of the fear from last night still lingered, and that chilled me. I appreciated the warmth of the mug and my drink.
“Oh, no! I’m sure you have much better things to do.” Mom waved a casual hand before continuing like she had a secret that she couldn’t keep inside her. She grinned as she spoke. “Royce is going to give me a ride to pick up Mrs. Crenshawe and then two others. We’re all going forbreakfast.” She mentioned breakfast like it was a royal gala event. “Then we’re going shopping.” Her eyes widened and sparkled brighter with all of her newfound excitement. “Andthenwe’re all getting onboard a private jet, and we’re flying out to meet the cruise in Jamaica. We’re going to board it when it gets there in a few days.” For a moment, Mom was lit from within.
