by Jill S. Behe
“Of course, I do.” Sierra nodded, keeping pace with him. “She’s kinda my boss.” She smiled at Teal. “Welcome to the madness that is my birthday.” And moved in for a hug. “Thanks for coming.”
Decker let go of Teal’s hand and continued into the living room.
Teal returned Sierra’s hug. “You’re welcome.” She offered the gift. “Happy birthday.”
Surprise lit the girl’s face. “Oh, you didn’t have to bring a gift. But thanks!”
“Have to stay on the good side of the birthday girl. She might not help me on the library desk, if I don’t.”
“Ha ha. You’ve been hanging around Uncle Decker too long.” Then she tore off the pretty pink polka dot paper, opened the little white box, and gasped at the contents.
“Mom. Look. Isn’t it just gorgeous?” She paused to give Teal another hug. “Thank you. You shouldn’t have, but thanks! I absolutely love it.”
“You’re welcome. I’m sure you know it’s your birthstone.”
“I do. Bloodstone. Opal. It’s beautiful.”
Bethany studied it, glanced over. “It is a beautiful necklace, Teal.”
She shrugged. “A girl’s only sixteen once.”
“Yeah. Too bad about that.” Sierra grinned, and linked arms with Teal. “Come on back. Meet my grandparents.”
“Sure. And at some point, I’d like to get to know your dog a little better.”
“Rex?”
“He’s yours, right?”
“Yeah. My knight errant.”
“Oh?”
“He tore through a couple of pillows this morning, making—obviously—a huge mess in the living room mom had just vacuumed. She’s a bit…miffed, at him, still.”
“I would be too. But he’s so handsome, I’ll bet he gives her a good look with those puppy-dog eyes, and she gets all mushy.”
“Usually. Not today, though, at least not yet. He and Bella will get all tuckered out soon. Then he’ll be more settled.”
“Excellent.”
“Teal,” Decker called from across the room. “There are some people I want you to meet.”
She wrinkled her nose. Meeting the relatives. Ugh.
Sierra laid a hand on her arm, smiling. “They’re not ogres.”
A smile. “Thanks for that.”
“We’ll talk later.”
“Will we? Okay.” She touched the girl’s shoulder, then went to join Decker.
Bethany came to stand next to her daughter. “Did she say anything about anything?”
Knowing her mother’s penchant for gossip, Sierra whispered conspiratorially, “Yeah.” And laughed as the woman’s face lit up. “She wants to get to know Rex better.”
“What?”
The group across the room glanced over.
“Shh.”
Hands on her hips, “Sierra Nevada Kincaid.”
“GEEZ! Mom!”
Bethany snorted out a laugh. “You had me there, you know. So, what did she really say?”
“That’s what she really said. Honest. Look, if you want any dirt, you’re going to have to dig for yourself. I’m not helping.” She rolled her eyes. “Besides, I have to work with her.”
Frowning, Bethany watched the girl bounce over to the others.
Levi sidled up. “Sweetie, you need to curb your bloodhound.”
She turned. “My what?”
“You’re not going to pry anything out of Teal she doesn’t want you to know.”
“You sound pretty sure of yourself.”
“Take my word for it. She’s tougher than she looks.”
“Well, shoot and bang. I’ll go check on the mac and cheese.”
Levi watched, considered, as his wife hurried to the kitchen. She hadn’t given up. He was sure. That could be potentially explosive.
Chapter 34
About twenty minutes later, Teal felt a hand on her back and turned. It was Sierra.
“I’d like to talk to you. In private. Do you mind?”
“I don’t mind.”
“Follow me.”
Sierra led her to a far corner of the room, away from the others.
“What is it, Sierra?”
The girl sat on the window seat, and patted the spot next to her. “Please sit down?” Glancing around to make sure her mother wasn’t in the vicinity, Sierra smiled and waved at her father, then her face went serious. “Two things. First is that my mother is out to learn anything and everything she can about you, and about you and Uncle Decker. She wanted to know what you said to me when you gave me that awesome necklace.”
Teal smiled. “Your uncle already warned me about that. But, I’ve seen her in action when she comes into the library on occasion. No offense.”
“Good. And, none taken. This next thing is more intense. You were once my age, but I don’t know if you were the quiet kind, or loud and obnoxious like me. As females, though, we’re— Our nature is to be competitive, catty, snarly at times, etc. Do you agree?”
Teal nodded, amused but curious.
“Well, I figured I’d grow out of the obnoxiousness, though my mother hasn’t. Not really. You seem pretty down to earth, and friendly with everyone.”
“Thanks. I try to be.”
“There’s someone else we both know who—in my inexperienced opinion—hasn’t grown up, yet.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, and I’m only mentioning this because—”
“There you two are!”
Sierra groaned, angry, and rolling her eyes. “Mom.”
Bethany squeezed in between Sierra and Teal, making it uncomfortably crowded. “What’s up with the whispers? We girls have to stick together.”
Sierra’s eyes narrowed. “No we don’t. I’m old enough to talk to whomever I want without your interference, or permission.”
Her mother’s smile never wavered. “Of course you’re not. You know I love to be in the thick of things.”
“This was private.” Sierra stood. “Sorry to burst your bubble, mother dear, but you are so so wrong.” She took a few steps. “Teal, I would like to finish this conversation, when we can be alone.”
Bethany watched her daughter walk away and turned angry eyes on Teal. “What was so important that you had to talk to my daughter alone?”
“She asked to talk to me, not the other way around.”
“You will tell me everything she said to you.”
“No, I won’t.” Teal shifted away. “If she wanted you to know what was on her mind, she would have told you, or included you. She wanted to confide in me.”
“I’m her mother.”
“Yes, you are. A mother. But, the talk was between her and me. You interrupted.”
“How dare you.”
Teal stood. If she stayed any longer, there would be blood. She left the woman throwing metaphoric darts at her back, and went to find Decker.
“I think I just pissed off the wife of your best friend.” Reaction was setting in. Her body was vibrating with anger, and she wasn’t sure how to get rid of it.
Decker caressed her arm, feeling the tension. “And how would you—my mild-mannered librarian—do that?”
She shook out her hands. “By not being so very mild-mannered.”
He grabbed a hand, and led her across the living room, through the French doors, and out to the backyard. “Take a little walk with me.”
She blew out a breath. “Sure. The fresh air will do me some good.”
They moseyed to the end of the secluded well-manicured lawn.
“Okay. I think we’re far enough away from any ears. First, let me do this.” He pulled her close in a hug, hoping to reassure her, then gave her a kiss. “Okay. Now. What’s the deal?”
She wanted to smile. The hug and kiss had helped ease her nerves, and transferred some of the mad. “Sierra sought me out, said she wanted to talk to me, in private. We were in the window seat in the far corner of the living room. She first warned me about her mother, but I told her you already had.�
� Teal blew out a breath. “Then she changed the subject.”
“And?”
“It had something to do with adults not growing up. About females being obnoxious and catty.” She threw up her hands. “Just as she was about to explain what she was getting at, Bethany pounced on us. Wedged herself between us, which was a really tight squeeze, blatantly obvious she was being nosy. Wanted to know what we were whispering about.”
“I did warn you.”
“Yes, but you didn’t mention how rude she would be about it.”
“I didn’t realize it was that bad. Sorry.”
Teal shook her head. “Sierra told her mother off and stormed out, but not before making a point to tell me she still needed to talk to me.”
“Must be something serious.”
“I agree.”
“Okay. And?”
“Bethany wanted to know what was so important that I had to talk to her daughter alone. An accusation...like I was the bad guy. Then she demanded I tell her everything Sierra said.”
Hmm. Not good. “And…?”
“And I basically told her to mind her own business.”
He was nodding. “Ah.”
She couldn’t tell if he was upset. “I’m so sorry, Decker. And after you and Levi just resolved your own issues.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“She’s never going to invite me back.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t let that worry you.”
She glanced back at the house. “Um. She’s coming towards us, and she looks…murderous.”
“Let me handle this.”
“Have at it.”
Bethany marched up to them, eyes furious. “Decker Brogan.”
“Front and center, ma’am.”
“Don’t try to make jokes.”
“Wasn’t my intention.”
“This woman insulted me, in my own house. She needs to leave. Now.”
“Fine. We’ll get our things.”
Bethany’s eyes went wide. “No. Not you. Just her.”
“We came together. We leave together. Make your choice. Telling you to mind your own business isn’t being rude when you interrupted a private conversation—one that didn’t include you—and she wouldn’t share. If that’s your idea of hospitality, I don’t want to be here, either.”
He whistled for Bella, who came on the run, Rex trailing.
“Come on, girl. Time to go home.” He pulled Teal closer. “And shooting mental darts at my date isn’t helping your cause.”
The mad was evaporating. “You can’t leave.”
“I can, and intend to.”
Bethany, as though just realizing the consequence of her actions, began to wring her hands.
Levi came across the yard. “What’s going on? Sierra wants to cut the cake. We need to unload her gift.”
“Your wife insulted my date, so we’re leaving.”
Bethany gasped. “No, I—”
Levi grabbed his wife’s arm. “She did what?”
“Teal? Shall we?”
“Yes, but I’d like to say good-bye to Sierra before we go.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you at the truck.”
Bethany tried again. “Decker, please?”
He stopped and turned. “Unless we get an apology, we’re gone.”
The woman gave a little scream, and stamped her foot.
Hands on hips, Levi faced her. “What the hell did you do, woman?”
“Me? Me? What did I do?”
“Yes. What did you do?”
“Nothing.”
“Then why is Decker leaving?”
Teal, taking advantage of the distraction, hurried back to the house and slipped inside.
Sierra was peeking through the windows, trying to see what was happening. She turned as Teal came in. “I’m so sorry, Teal. My mother can be a real pain.”
“Don’t fret about it. I wanted to say good-bye before we left. Your dad and Decker need to unload your gift from the back of the truck, too.”
Sierra gave an excited little bounce. “Uncle Decker made me something? Oh, this is going to be so excellent.” She ran for the front door.
Her grandparents, and Teal, followed.
Sierra threw open the door as Decker was untying the ropes to the tarp.
“What did you make me, Uncle Deck?”
“Actually, this is from your parents. I got you something else.”
“Really?” She turned as Levi and Bethany appeared around the side of the house.
Decker whipped the tarp off.
“Oh my god!” Sierra screamed. “It’s huge! It’s fire-engine red. It’s so absolutely perfect!”
Decker slid the monstrous dresser to the edge, and jumped down. “Levi, I’ll need some help getting this off.”
“Sure.”
Sierra turned to Teal. “Wait. You’re not staying for cake?”
“No.” Teal glanced at Bethany. “We’re not.”
Sierra looked at her mother. “She’s making you leave? Because she can’t keep her nose out of my business?”
“Sierra.”
At her father’s tone, her face went stony.
“It’s okay for her to be rude, but I’m supposed to accept that my favorite uncle and his date aren’t welcome, because my mother can’t stand not being in on everything?”
Levi turned to his wife. “You said she insulted you.”
Pouting, Bethany nodded.
“No, dad. I asked to talk to Teal alone. Mom found us and had a fit. Insinuated herself between us on the window seat. You know how small a spot that is. Anyway, then she told me I wasn’t allowed to have private conversations with anyone unless she was there, too.”
Levi’s parents took a few steps closer to the house.
“My god, Bethany. Is this what it’s come to?”
She pointed at Teal. “She insulted me. In my own house.”
“Still? You’re still claiming that?”
“She did.”
Levi turned to Teal. “I’m sorry, but I have to ask. What exactly did you say to her?”
He was resigned, not angry. Not then.
Teal flicked a look at Decker, then faced Levi and told him everything she could remember.
“And then?”
“And then I went to find Decker, to apologize for pissing off the wife of his best friend.”
“See? See? She admits it.”
“Bethany.” The sigh was huge. “Shut. Up.”
Her jaw dropped. “What?”
“Put a sock in it.”
“You’re taking her side?”
Decker took a step closer to Sierra. “Before this gets any uglier,” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a card. “Sierra. Happy sixteenth. I know it might not seem like it right now, but I wish you the very best. My house is always open to you.”
“Thanks, Uncle Decker. I may take you up on it.” She opened the card, and squealed. “Oh my god! I don’t believe it.” She looked at him, shocked. “Seriously?”
“You’ve got the proof in your hot little hands.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you! Thank you!”
“It’ll be a foursome. Just let me know which one you want to see.”
“Wait until I tell Croop!”
“Croop?”
“My best friend, Jennifer Crandall.” She shrugged. “Everybody calls her Croop.”
Teal smiled. “She’s one of the other part time high school girls who works at the library.”
“Ah. Okay. Well, again, let me know. I’ll talk to you later, Levi. Bethany? Well, ’til we meet again.”
He slid an arm around Teal, but Sierra tugged on her sleeve.
“Since we, obviously can’t finish it today, just take my word for it.” She went up on tiptoes, whispered. “Thanks for the necklace. And, please, please, please, be careful at work.”
Frowning, Teal nodded. “You’re very welcome. And okay. I will.”
“Promise?”
“I promise.”
Sierra gave her a hug. “I like you. Please don’t be too mad at my mom. She can’t help herself.”
Teal hugged her back. “I like you, too. And, I’m not mad, not anymore. Just…irritated.”
“Okay.” The girl let go, and latched onto Decker. “I love you, Uncle Deck. Don’t stay mad.”
“I’ll try, kid.” He opened the passenger door, Bella jumped in. “Teal?”
She climbed in.
He shut the door, walked around to the driver side, got in, and started the truck.
Levi approached the window, Decker lowered it.
The other man shrugged.
Decker shook his head. “It is what it is, Levi. You know as well as I do, it’ll blow over.”
The man leaned on the window. “I’ve never seen her like this. Not this bad.”
“She’s just pissed she didn’t get her way, this time.”
“Maybe.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
“Right.” Levi looked past his friend. “Teal. I’m very sorry.”
“Not your doing, to borrow a phrase from Decker. Thanks for the invite, anyway. I like your daughter. A lot.”
He grinned. “Thanks. I think you two are kindred spirits.”
“Could be. Bye.”
“Bye.”
Decker pulled out of the driveway and onto the street.
“Holy Hannah!”
“You can say that again, Hannigan.”
Bella woofed.
“What did you get her?”
“Tickets to an Avalanche game.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“She’s nuts about hockey, playing it, and watching it. The Avalanche is her favorite team. Figured it was time she saw a live pro game. I got four tickets. Would you be willing to go along?”
“I’d kill to see them live.” Teal grinned. “Go Avs!”
Decker hooted. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
“Hmm. One of many, it seems.”
“It does. Yes.”
“Decker. I’m kind of worried about why Sierra wanted to talk to me.”
“Oh?”
“Before we left, she whispered to me to be careful at work.”