LITMIR.BIZ

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answer was to raise her chin another notch.

      People continued to gawk and whisper behind the shields of their hands. A few respectfully inched away. The gaps they left were instantly filled.

      Aaron debated whether to don his deputy hat and clear the room or allow things to play out. He wasn’t on duty, no crime had been committed and no one was in immediate danger. Unless Mel’s fragile state counted.

      He took a step forward. The hell with this being the Hartmans’ crisis to handle. Mel needed a friend, and he was that first and foremost.

      His next step was blocked by Nancy, who held Kaylee’s hand in a death grip. “Let’s go home, Aaron.”

      “Not yet.” He wasn’t leaving without talking to Mel.

      “Kaylee’s upset.”

      He glanced down at his daughter, who stared over her shoulder at Mel’s nieces, a forlorn expression on her face. If she was upset, it was at having to abandon her friends.

      It was on the tip of his tongue to chide Nancy for overdramatizing things. Instead, he nodded at their neighbors who were gathering their things.

      “There’s Geo and Leslie,” he said. “Why don’t you ask them for a ride home?”

      Nancy frowned, not liking the idea. “What about you?”

      “I’ll be home soon.” Aaron bent and gathered Kaylee close. “I love you, jelly bean.”

      “I wanna stay, Daddy.”

      “You’ll see your friends at preschool on Monday.”

      Kaylee pouted. In another minute, she’d be whining. In two minutes, she’d be crying.

      “I’ll be home in time to tuck you in.” Aaron straightened. He’d been ready to promise, then stopped himself. With the demands of his job, he couldn’t always be where he wanted, when he wanted, and he hated disappointing Kaylee.

      Except, this was personal and not work related. He didn’t have to stay.

      “Will you tell me a story about Mommy?” she pleaded.

      Guilt pricked at him. “Of course.”

      Nancy wasn’t the sole keeper of Robin’s memories. Aaron’s stories tended to be less eloquently spun than Nancy’s, but they were told from the heart. He made sure Kaylee knew how much she’d been adored by Robin and how much Robin had been adored by him.

      “Bye, Daddy.”

      Aaron watched his daughter and Nancy until the patio door closed behind them. By then, thankfully, more guests had left, their tongues wagging, Aaron was sure. A few kindly individuals began clearing tables and packing food. No one had heeded Ray’s invitation to stay.

      Mel, her sisters and Ray stood shoulder to shoulder, presenting a united front. Samantha, for her part, didn’t flinch. She either had a lot of nerve or was desperate.

      Because he couldn’t just stand around doing nothing, he grabbed a heavy-duty plastic bag and began collecting trash. When Mel noticed him, he mouthed, You okay?

      She shrugged limply. Her red-rimmed eyes indicated she’d been crying or trying hard not to.

      He wished he could comfort her. Wrap his arms around her. Without conscious effort, he pictured them lying nestled softly together in the aftermath of making love. In those moments, he let himself imagine a life beyond stolen evenings here and there. Unfortunately, the fantasy always vanished the instant he set foot inside his house.

      It did now, too, as Samantha continued causing a scene.

      “Fine,” she spat out. “I’ll follow you in my truck.” She made for the door, her boots clomping on the concrete floor.

      A chagrined Ray hurried after her. He was either escaping the wrath of his wife and daughters or attempting to head off disaster. Perhaps a little of both.

      “Are we just going to let them leave?” Mel demanded of her sisters.

      “Hell, no,” Ronnie and Frankie chorused.

      “Maybe you should give them some time alone,” Dolores said.

      The three sisters blinked at her in disbelief.

      She crossed her arms. “I’m serious. And you know I don’t usually put my foot down. Ten minutes, then you can go. For now, let’s finish cleaning up.”

      “What about the girls?” Frankie asked, more to herself than anyone else. “I can’t just leave them, and I don’t want to take them. For obvious reasons.”

      All eyes fell to Dolores, who gave an expansive huff.

      “Thank you,” Frankie said, taking the huff as agreement to help.

      “We’re not excluding you.” Mel at least sounded apologetic for all of them taking terrible advantage of Dolores.

      “Meet you at the house,” Dolores said. “And tell your father to leave me the car. He can catch a ride with one of you three.”

      Frankie called after her. “Bring the leftover barbecued beef home. Everything else can be stored in the restaurant cooler.”

      Dolores stopped midstep. “Anything else?”

      “Um...no.”

      Aaron gave Dolores a lot of credit. She was coping very well with a difficult and awkward turn of events no one had seen coming. She also wasn’t protesting when Mel and her sisters took advantage of her generosity. He hoped they let Dolores know how much they appreciated her.

      One by one, people were leaving. He supposed he should hit the road as well−−except his legs disobeyed his brain and took him in the direction of Mel. She’d already had a rough time tonight and appeared to have a rougher time in store.

      When he neared, she actually brightened as if glad to see him.

      “Call me if you need anything,” he said in a low voice. “I don’t care how late it is.”

      “Thanks for staying. You didn’t have to.”

      “I wanted to.” Glancing around first to make sure they weren’t being watched—everyone’s attention remained elsewhere—he brushed her hand. “I’m here for you, Mel.”

      When he would have walked away, she quickly touched his arm. “That means a lot to me.”

      More stolen moments. They were fast becoming not enough.

      Outside, the parking lot was considerably less full than earlier. As Aaron crossed it, raised voices drew his attention. In the back row, Samantha stood beside her junkyard truck, its hood raised. Ray was with her, and the two of them argued bitterly.

      Aaron hesitated, reminding himself yet again that this was none of his business. If only the law-enforcement officer in him didn’t view the situation differently.

      Uttering a low groan of frustration, he changed direction. Mel would probably be mad at him for interfering, but Aaron didn’t feel he had any other choice. Here was a powder keg on the verge of exploding if ever he saw one.

      * * *

      “IS THERE A PROBLEM?” Aaron asked.

      Samantha’s laser-beam glance said butt out.

      Ray, on the other hand, responded with relief. “Aaron. Samantha’s radiator is leaking and her truck won’t start. I offered to help.”

      What Ray left out, but Aaron had picked up on, was that Samantha refused any assistance.

      Aaron inspected the engine, Samantha peering over his shoulder. “I’m assuming you didn’t drop by Conroy’s.”

      “I would if I had the money,” she snapped.

      Luckily, Aaron had refilled his water jug

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