Going Under (Wildfire Lake 2)

She gives an eye roll, and her face tightens in a way that makes it look like she’s going to cry, but tears have never swayed me.

She takes the phone and thinks a second. “If she says it’s okay, can I stay and watch? I’ll be really quiet. You won’t even know I’m here.”

“If it’s okay that you stay, I’m putting you to work. No one gets to just stand around.”

The girl surprises me by perking up. “Really? I can help?”

I laugh. “I like you already. Call your aunt.”

She looks at the phone, and her expression goes dark again. But she sighs and dials. “Aunt Jackie? It’s Violet.” She goes quiet a second. “I’m at the marina—” She rolls her eyes. “I know. Yes, I know. No. Wait. Please? I just needed to get out of the house. The girl here says I can stay if it’s okay with you.” Her gaze darts to mine. “She’s fixing boats. I’m just going to watch.”

I smirk.

Violet sighs heavily and offers me the phone back. “She wants to talk to you.”

I take the phone. “Hello.”

“I’m so sorry,” the aunt says. “She was in a time-out and she snuck out of the house.”

I laugh. “Been there, done that. Do you want me to send her back? She really is welcome to stay, but I’m not going to interfere. I’ll do whatever you want.”

She sighs and thinks about it a second. “Who is this?”

“I’m KT Rivers. I’m working with Laiyla Saxon and Chloe Hart on the renovation.”

“Hi, KT. This is Jackie Monahan. We met in passing at the auto parts store a while back. You helped me pick the right windshield wipers.”

“I remember. How are you?”

“I’d be better if Violet’s attitude would improve.”

I pin Violet with a look. “Attitude problems, huh?”

Violet shifts on her feet and lowers a guilty gaze to the ground.

“Growing pains,” Jackie says. “I don’t want Violet keeping you from your work.”

“Oh, she won’t.” I grin at Violet. “If she stays, I’m putting her to work.”

Jackie laughs. “If you’re sure it’s okay, that might be really good for her.”

“You got it.” I give Violet a thumbs-up, and the joy that fills her expression is priceless. “What time do you want her home?”

“Whenever you get tired of having her around or we come get her, whichever happens first.”

“Sounds good. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eye on her.”

I disconnect and hold my fist up. Violet meets it with her own, a big smile on her face. Then I waggle a finger at her. “No more attitude problems.”

“Okay,” she readily agrees.

“Here or at home.”

She smiles. “Okay.”

“Ready to work?”

Her eyes sparkle with excitement. “Yeah.”