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“You abandoned me in a room full of strangers!” Mrs. Norman insists. “Good thing I spotted Charlie’s lad or I’d be bored off my mind.” She lets out a groan and massages her hips. “My legs hurt. I’ve been standing for far too long this evening.”
“Do you want to sit down?” I ask immediately.
“It’s okay,” Dora says, waving a hand. “I’ll take her home now.”
Moving closer, Mrs. Norman raises her head to whisper in my ear.
Understanding that she can’t reach my height, I bend my knees to listen to her.
“Tell Charlie that he’s always welcome to meet some of us old gals at Hog’s Joint for some drinks,” she whispers. “Also, make sure he knows Marge is single these days.” She giggles like a little child before stepping away.
“Ready to go, Mom?” Dora asks.
“If you say so,” Mrs. Norman sniffs. Without waiting for her daughter, she marches down the hall.
Dora lets out an exasperated sigh before glancing at me. “Thanks for keeping my mom company. I haven’t seen her smile so much in a while.”
“It was no trouble at all. I enjoyed her company too.”
With a nod, she follows after her mother.
I look around the emptying hall. Neither Rory nor my brothers are anywhere in sight. Suddenly feeling lonely, I decide to look for them.
“Seth, hey,” a familiar voice calls me from behind.
Turning around, I see Mayor Bailley hurrying toward me.
“Hello, Sir,” I greet politely.
“Have you seen Rory around?” he asks, gazing around the room. “I haven’t seen her since my toast.”
“She must be with my brothers,” I say.
“Are they back in the kitchen?”
“I’m not sure,” I say, silently cursing my brothers for causing trouble in Rory’s home. “How about we check the dining hall first?”
“Ahh, that’s right. That’s where the rest of the crowd is hanging out now.” He chuckles softly. “Those twin boys sure know how to party. I’ve never seen my guests having so much fun before.”
“I hope they haven’t upset you, Sir.”
“Upset me? No, no,” he says, waving his hand in the air. “They’re an absolute blast and know how to bring life to a party.”
His warm eyes send a hint of relief through me. Simon and Oliver are extremely popular among our younger cadets. Despite holding higher ranks, my brothers never say no to parties.
“I’m glad my brothers’ silly antics haven’t upset you or your guests.”
“Ahh, don’t worry about them. They’re just being themselves.” Patting my shoulder, he grabs my arm. “Come on. Let’s go see what the kids are up to.”
He tugs me along in his wake. I can’t help but smile at the way Rory’s dad is warming up to us.
Reaching the dining hall, I spot Simon and Oliver in a corner. They’ve gathered several chairs and made a makeshift table out of them. Bottles of beer and plates of food litter the top while they both munch on barbecued drumsticks.
“There, they are,” says Mayor Bailley and pulls me alongside him.
Simon and Oliver have gathered a mountain of food. They look up when they see me and pull up a chair beside them.
“Hey, want to join us?” Oliver says, his lips smeared with barbecue sauce.
