“They’re having a grown-up talk that would make you bored in three seconds.”
“But Jim isn’t bored?” Aden asked.
“Probably to tears.”
“Can we go outside and play when we’re done?”
“You bet. Just stay in the back where it’s mowed.”
They both nodded and hurried to finish.
As soon as they raced out, I cleaned up their mess and started on breakfast for Michelle. My gut was tight with anticipation. She’d been tipsy last night, but not so much that she wouldn’t remember her promise. Would she keep it?
Chapter 10
Twenty minutes later, a sound from across the hall had me smiling. Michelle was brushing her teeth.
After the water turned off, it grew quiet. Worried she might be second-guessing her choice, I went to check on her. As soon as I opened the door, I saw her. She stood by the kitchen doors leading to the balcony. When she turned to look at me, the morning light was her backdrop. My angel, I thought. A slow smile grabbed me at the sight of her stolen pajamas.
“Nice shirt,” I said. Had she been wearing my shirt every night since she’d taken it? I hoped so.
“Thanks. It’s really comfy.”
“I know. Want some breakfast before we face the music for last night?”
She nodded and followed me across the hall.
“How’s your back?” she asked, sitting on a new stool at the island.
She watched me, showing interest in our conversation. No hesitation. Did she understand how badly I’d wanted this? Needed this?
“Fine.” I moved to turn the bacon. “Is the floor behaving this morning?”
I plated up our breakfast, giving her the smaller share of a pound of fried bacon. When I set the loaded plate before her, she eyed the eggs and meat with a hint of distaste.
“Too heavy after last night?” I asked, studying her.
When she nodded, I reached over, picked up a single piece of toast, and handed it to her. “Better?”
“Much.”
I took her plate, content to eat both our portions. She turned slightly so she could watch me.
“I was thinking maybe we could spend the day together,” she said hesitantly.
Did she honestly think I’d say no to that?
“We could all go to the lake again,” I said.
She made a face. “Maybe somewhere less public?” she said. “I’d like to learn more about you, like why a strong, fast...person, such as yourself, could get knocked over by a nineteen-year-old lightweight. And, I’d prefer my brothers don’t see anything unusual.”
“Nineteen?” I echoed. My mind went numb with shock, and I dropped my fork.
When I first saw her in the diner and helped her with David, I’d naturally assumed she was older. And, with every small detail I’d learned of her life before coming here, my assumption had only firmed. She shouldered so much responsibility to provide for and protect her brothers. Too much for someone that young. She needed help and protection. My protection. And instead, I’d let her drink and had taken her into a bar. I swallowed hard, thinking of Winifred’s reaction.
“She’s going to kill me,” I said under my breath. I pushed my food away, no longer hungry.
“What’s wrong?”
I barely registered Michelle’s words as I considered not telling Winifred. It was no use. She’d probably already heard. The door was open, and her ears were far better than mine. Yep, I’d be joining Jim, listening to a lecture. No, wait. She was mad at Jim. I just needed to keep the focus on him. After all, Jim had taken an underage girl to the bar last night. Not me.
Michelle moved next to me, drawing my attention to her growing concern.
“We all assumed you were a bit older than that,” I said as I stood and started cleaning up. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
I held out my hand. She hesitantly took it.
“Are you telling me I look old?”
“Ancient,” I said with a teasing grin.
She continued to hold my hand as we walked together downstairs.
Did you hear? I sent Winifred.
Yes. We’re waiting for you to join us.
That didn’t sound good. When we walked into Winifred’s apartment, we found Jim already at the table and Winifred leaning against the counter, her death glare pinning Jim.
“Sit,” she said.
I held out a chair for Michelle before taking my own seat. Michelle fidgeted beside me.
Winifred’s attention remained on Jim.
“Your irresponsibility knows no bounds. What were you thinking, taking her to a bar? Our job is to keep her safe, not keep her stocked with booze.”
He’d been listening to this for over an hour, along with a lecture about an Elder’s responsibility to confer with others before making decisions. If he wanted to be an Elder, he needed to start conferring.
“And you,” she said looking at me, “are supposed to have her best interests at heart.”
“That’s why I tracked her down and brought her back,” I said quickly. Jim grimaced. It was all on Jim this time.
Then, Winifred turned to Michelle. “At nineteen, you have no right to be going out drinking.”
Michelle’s mouth popped open.
Winifred, I warned at the same time I caught a whiff of Michelle’s anger.
Her face flushed red.
“That is so—my age doesn’t matter. It never has,” she said.
I studied her, wondering what she meant by that.
“You have a responsibility to your brothers,” Winifred said.
Michelle laid her trembling hands flat on the table. Had I not smelled her temper or noted the steely glint in her eyes, I would have thought the shaking was from fear or nervousness.
Michelle defiantly met Winifred’s gaze. “No one knows that better than I do. Their wellbeing, their existence, depended on my obedience. Complete and absolute. Don’t speak. Look up when addressed. Return to your room when your presence isn’t required.
“I messed up last night. I get it. My brothers could have been found, and I wasn’t here to protect them.”
Pain and regret soured her scent, and my heart broke for her. I had a feeling she’d endured a lot more than what she’d just said.
Nana made a slight noise as if she would continue, but Michelle didn’t let her.
“I don’t need your lecture,” she said angrily. “I will not be ruled by another—”
She clamped her mouth shut and closed her eyes with a flinch.
Winifred, Jim, and I shared a look.
This conversation needs to lighten up, I sent to Winifred. I don’t want her comparing us to whoever she left behind.
I agree, Winifred said.
Michelle breathed deeply and opened her eyes.
“I’m sorry,” she said. Then she stood and left. We remained quiet as she raced up the stairs two at a time.
“She’s wearing your shirt,” Jim observed with a grin. “One step closer to cookies.”
Winifred’s gaze narrowed on Jim.
“Emmitt, perhaps you can go check on the children.”
Jim slumped in his chair as I went outside.
With the doors and windows open, I still heard every word of Winifred’s continuing lecture. Jim didn’t say anything in his defense. He just sat there and took it. We’d both learned early on, saying anything only prolonged the lectures.