“I don’t think much is going to happen at St. Mary’s Festival.”
Bolton frowns. “Probably not, but I get the feeling Uncle Skull and Dad wouldn’t want you two off on your own right now. Given your condition and the state of unrest still lingering over us. I’m going to come with you and hang out.”
“Hey. I know no seventeen-year-old wants to do that.”
“Family always comes first, and you were family long before you became Skull’s Old Lady,” Bolton states firmly.
His words make me smile. “You’re wise for your age, kiddo. You know that?”
“Learned everything I know from my mom and dad.”
The happiness in his words brings tears to my eyes. He finally has what he deserved all along. A cohesive, loving family unit that wants nothing more than the best for him. “Those two are pretty awesome,” I agree.
“I think you and Uncle Skull will be too,” he says softly.
“That means a lot, thank you.”
“Am I boring enough?” Blue asks appearing at the bottom of the stairs in a pair of knee length khaki shorts, a white camisole, and black flip-flops.
“You are perfect. The kid is tagging along with us. Guess he has a hankering for cotton candy,” I say with a shrug.
“You are so your father’s child,” Blue states proudly.
“You say that like it’s a bad thing, Mama. I’ll follow you two on my bike.” He walks out leaving us trailing behind him.
“My son all grown up and already turning into a brother before he even prospects,” she mumbles.
“Look at his dad and grandpa. Kid never stood a chance to be anything else.”
“No, but a part of me still wants him to at least get an Associate’s Degree. We’re moving toward legal businesses. His skills will be a great asset.”
“Look at you setting your baby up to be taken into the fold and seen as more than another body.”
“You’ll see when that little one arrives.”
I place my hand on my belly. “Unless she’s a girl.”
“Then we’ll teach her how to stand her ground, and wait to see if she’ll fall for brothers like we did.”
The easy way she included herself in the equation comforts me. “You’re the best, you know that?”
“Yes, but a girl likes to hear nice things every now and then from her best gal.” She bats her lashes as we lock the door behind us.
“Come on, smart ass, I don’t want to be late. It’ll give me mother yet another reason to bitch.”
“Have you talked to her since the last time?”
“No, and she hasn’t called. Maybe she got the message?”
“Your mom is on that Stephen King Carrie’s mom type level, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say…no. She’s just regrouping.”
“Great.”
“I’m guessing Skull doesn’t know?”
“Not the details, why?” I ask glancing at her with my peripheral vision.
“Along with being stubborn, he’s crazy as hell when the situation calls for it. He’d let her know how he felt about her little suggestion. You don’t want to see him get ugly.”