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“Yeah, but who knows the kind of people she sees when she’s taking customers around. In this crazy, infested goddamn world, it’s fucking dangerous. I set up a bodyguard, and she freaked out and fired the poor bastard. Then, I bought her a gun, offered to pay for lessons, and she laughed in my face, said to take it back. Get this… if the weapon was in the house, she wouldn’t be.”
“Seriously, Luke? You’d choose a handful of black metal over that gorgeous woman of yours. You’re losing it, man. I’m worried about you.”
Luke Kozak shook his head in remorse. “Seeing it through your eyes, I can see how stupid the whole fight must seem to you.”
“You’re a whiny old nagger, my friend. Way too protective of your ladies. But, since they’re both jewels, I kind of understand. Not that I agree.”
“Uncle Beau, are you coming?”
Beau turned to see his goddaughter framed in the window leading back into the house. He and Luke had been enjoying their morning coffee on the shaded patio, out of the range of big ears. They both knew Mellie had a tendency to eavesdrop whenever she felt like it.
“Coming, kiddo. Are you gonna get dressed?”
Melinda held out her arms, aggression in every bone of her body. “I am dressed, you moron.”
“Mellie! Don’t talk to your uncle like that.”
“Why not. He all but assumed that I’m naked, and you don’t callhimon his rudeness.”
“Because I agree with his opinion. You’re skirt is nonexistent.”
She lifted it up and did a twirl. “Silly, it’s a skort. See the panties match the material.” Her blinged-up backpack didn’t hamper the reveal at all.
Beau groaned and Luke snorted. “We didn’t need you to model it, brat.”
Beau stood and walked toward the girl who’d stolen his heart from the moment he’d seen her in Rachel’s arms, squalling and letting the world know she’d arrived. “Okay, let’s go before he makes you change into a nun’s habit. I’m sorry I started it. I was referring to your phone. No one’s fully dressed without that tiny detail.”
Mellie laughed and lifted her short top to show a small holder with her phone tucked safely inside. “Kids have had their phones stolen at the school in the past few months. Can’t leave them lying around in the open anymore.”
Beau put his arm on her waist and guided her to the sidewalk heading to the parking lot. “Don’t get your old man started on the shape of things today or we’ll be here for a week.”
Luke raised his arm. “Hey, not fair. The world’s in a dumpster, and you know it.” His mumbling followed them. “No one ever listens to me.”
His daughter ran back and kissed his cheek, “Bye worrywart. Love you.”
Luke patted her arm. “Love you too, Munchkin.”
When Beau started in his direction, the gleam of foolishness written in his expression, Luke held his arm up in defense. “Don’t you dare.”
Beau swiveled. “Grumpy.” He headed back to his laughing goddaughter. Hand in hand, they sauntered to the car.
As soon as they hit the road, Beau looked at one of his favorite people and saw her gnawing on her lip. “Spill. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.” Her tone said the opposite.
“Want me to pull over and bring out the torture tools?”
Playing her part, she sat back in her seat, revulsion written over her face and her hands held out imploringly. “Oh, please, no. Not that. Anything but that brutality again.”
Beau laughed at their usual silliness but sensed she had something to say. He waited. This tactic always worked. Mellie, like her dad, hated long silences. Being a chatterbox herself, made it impossible for her to outlast him.
Sure enough, her voice shaky, she spoke. “They’re at it again, Beau. Fighting. It’s horrible. I hate it. It’s like they don’t even love each other anymore. Both are too busy getting their points across and neither seem to understand the big picture… no one is listening.”
Beau knew there were problems. He’d sensed it when he’d gotten last night’s order to come for breakfast on the pretext to discuss the mayor’s request, which he’d already refused.
Who was he to give married-couple-advice when he hadn’t found a woman he loved enough to change his life for. Because of that, he’d made it a rule never to get involved in other people’s relationships.
Uncomfortable even hearing about her woes, he couldn’t shut Mellie off and possibly break their lines of communication. The kid needed to talk, and someone had to listen.
