The Thing About Trouble (Crystal Lake 1)

“I like

oranges.”

She was forward for such a little thing. “Okay. But first I need to know your name.”

“My name is Tawny.” She scratched her head, and her small brow furrowed. “What’s yours?”

“Blue.”

“Blue?” Tawny giggled. “That’s not a name, silly. That’s a color.”

Blue couldn’t help but smile because the little girl’s laughter sounded like heaven trickling down a stream.

“If I was a color, I’d be purple,” Tawny said, yanking on Blue’s hand. “Can I have the orange juice now?”

She got Tawny settled at the kitchen table and rummaged through her fridge for the container of orange juice, as well as some fruit. She cut up an apple, washed some strawberries, and peeled a banana. The little girl’s eyes widened when she saw the fruit and whispered, “Thank you,” and got down to business, happily working her way through the entire plate. Blue watched her from across the room, transfixed by the little fingers and ruby-red lips. Tawny ate with such joy, talking to each strawberry before she ate it and playing a game with her banana, that Blue couldn’t help but smile. Heck, she wouldn’t be human if she didn’t.

But the smile was bittersweet because it made her think of things long buried. Sudden, swift pain sliced through her, and she turned away, busying herself at the sink—which was clean. However, she scrubbed it like a demon and didn’t let up until the doorbell rang out again.

She wiped her hands just as her cell pinged and scooped it off the counter. Tawny was still chattering away to the strawberries, so she slipped away and headed for the front door, answering the call as she did so.

Edward’s voice filled her ear. It was curt, dismissive, and loud. “I thought we agreed not to go ahead with the landscape job.”

Blue made a face and swore under her breath. The last person she wanted to get into it with was David’s son. “I didn’t agree to anything, Edward, and I don’t recall asking for your advice.”

“I told you specifically not to do anything. You need to learn to listen.”

Any pretense of politeness fled, and anger hit her hard. “I don’t answer to you, and I sure as hell don’t need your permission to—”

“Spend my money?” His voice was cold. “Your tight ass might have been enough to turn my dad’s head, but it won’t be enough to hold on to what’s mine. I’ll get it back if it’s the last thing I do.”

“Edward—”

Distracted, she yanked open the door just as Edward let loose, his rage fully engaged.

“You’re nothing but a high-priced whore who crawled out of some backwood gutter. I know about your brother. About the time he spent in prison. And I know what happened in Arizona. I’m coming for you, and you better watch your back because—”

Blue cut him off, shocked at his words and his threats. It took a few moments before she looked up to find Cam Booker standing there. By the look on his face, it was obvious he’d heard most of her conversation.

“I was looking for Tawny.” His words came slowly. Obviously, he was uncomfortable.

“She’s here.” Flustered, embarrassed, and more than a little humiliated, she spoke more sharply than she intended. “You might want to keep a closer eye on her. She’s just a little girl.”

It looked as if he was going to say something and then thought better of it, because a few moments passed before replied. “Sorry. I told her to stay out back. I had to take a phone call and deal with a supplier, and one of my guys, Dave, told me he saw her at your door.” His dark eyes were serious. “You okay?”

Blue was about as far away from okay as she was from Venus. The months of abuse heaped on her by Edward were becoming heavy, and the cracks were starting to show. Case in point, her behavior the day before. She was turning into a person she didn’t like. She took a big breath and offered up a wan smile.

“I’m fine,” she replied.

Cam looked like he wanted to say more, but she was saved by a bundle of hair and squeals that came running at them from behind and tackled Cam by the legs.

“Cam! I’m eating in the princess castle!”

Tawny had strawberry stains on her cheeks, orange juice on her top, and the biggest, sweetest, smile a little girl could have. “Can I stay and watch TV?”

Blue watched Cam closely. She saw awkward hesitation as he patted her head, and it made her wonder about their relationship. He squatted down so that he was eye-to-eye with Tawny. Before he could say anything, the little girl grabbed his face with both hands and cradled him in a gesture that was sweet and oddly…mature? She laughed. “Pretty please? It’s hot outside, and I’m bored, and I’m not done my strawberries.” Tawny dropped her hands and looked up at Blue. “Can I have some more strawberries?”

“I…” Blue wasn’t exactly sure what the deal was between this man and the little girl, but she could see Cam Booker was way out of his comfort zone. “I don’t mind keeping her inside,” she found herself saying as Cam straightened.