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She looped her arm into Lark’s and guided her away from the dining room. We all stood around, frowning and thinking about the Kings. I couldn’t believe how much had changed in the years I’d been away. It seemed the Kings had been busy scouting local businesses in trouble and paying low dollar to bail the owners out.
Just didn’t sit right with me.
I looked around Tootie’s house. The paint in the dining room was faded, and the floorboards squeaked under my foot. The place was literally crumbling around her, and it would be only a matter of time before the Kings got wind of it and stole her house from under her.
“Anyone talked to Katie lately?” I looked at my brothers, who avoided my eyes and shook their heads.
I lowered my voice. “You know Tootie doesn’t listen to anyone but her.” I stretched my arms wide. “Look at this place. It’s too big. She can’t keep it up. Maybe it’s time we call Katie and see if she can talk some sense into her.”
“Think she’ll come back?” Duke asked.
Lee shrugged. “Worth a shot. She loves Montana, but school’s almost done for her. I can call her tomorrow.”
Duke looked around the old farmhouse. “I can call in a favor to Beck. See if he knows anyone who’d be willing to help us out.”
Beckett was Duke’s best friend and owned a successful construction company, but his family would be a complication after what had gone down with their beloved son Declan and Katie. We were running out of options. If we could get someone he trusted, along with Kate smoothing things over with Tootie, we could have her home up to code, and I’d worry a hell of a lot less about everything.
Sold on the idea, I nodded. “Just let me know how much.”
Duke looked at me. “We’ll all take care of her.”
In solemn agreement, we nodded at each other.
Just then Penny burst through the side door and hustled into the kitchen. When I followed her, I saw her peering into a shoebox. She clamped the lid down tight at the sight of me.
“Lark, how much did Aunt Tootie pay you to come to Bowlegs’s funeral?”
“Pickle,” I warned.
Penny dipped her hands in the pocket of her skirt and held out several coins in her little hand. “What? I just need to know. I want to hire her.”
Lark’s eyes danced with amusement. “Hire me?”
Penny shifted the box to her hip and looked up. “If you could all please come outside.”
We eyed each other warily, but over my shoulder I nodded. Tootie looked at me as I glanced at Dad, settled on the couch, and she smiled. “We’ll stay behind.”
One by one, Lark, Lee, Duke, the boys, and I followed Penny out to the backyard. Across the grass, near an old oak tree, there was a small hole.
“Pickle, did you dig up Tootie’s yard?”
“Shh.” She frowned at me. “This is a serious time.”
My eyebrows popped up. “Oh. Sorry.”
Rounding the old oak, Penny adjusted the small shoebox. She held it high above her head. “This is Eggburt the chicken.”
My stomach dropped. “Oh my god. Pickle, is there a dead animal in that box?”
Lee stifled a laugh, and I shot him a look. Duke stood stoically beside him with his hands clasped in front of him, but a smile pulled at the corners of his mouth. Kevin, Michael, and Joey looked on, horrified.
“Is this what you needed my help for?” Lark asked.
Penny nodded. “I want to give Burt the burial he deserves. Can you help?”
Lark looked to me, but I had no clue what to say. “Sure.” She smiled.
Penny gently laid the shoebox in the too-small hole. “Here lies Burt. Lark will now say a few nice things.”
