Part 23 (1/2)
”I am not burning dinner. Not yet, anyway. Here.” Kristie watched Ry hand over the spoon to his
partner. ”It's supposed to be some kind of creole, I think. There's rice under that cover, and shrimp in the oven. Where did you get that beer?”
”It's on the porch. Brodie brought it.”
”Hewitt's here already?”
”He came with Mort a few minutes ago. Rose is here, too.” Jackson's gaze found Kristie. ”She came with your grandpa.” He took a step in her direction and kissed her on the cheek. ”How you doing, sweet thing?”
Kristie blushed. ”I'm doing fine.”
”So the Devil's still treating you all right, or do you need me to take him out behind the house and teach him a lesson or two?”
Laughter came from the window. ”You teach Blu a lesson, ha!” The laughter grew. ”That, I'd pay to
see.” Ry moved up behind his wife and swatted her small behind. ”Come on, let's get out of here. Kristie, you come, too. Jackson will let us know when dinner's ready.” Kristie followed both Margo and Ry onto the veranda. ”There you are, Kris.” Rose appeared and hugged Kristie.
”Hi, Rose. Jackson said you came with Grandpa?”
”Yes. Perch said it was silly for me to take a cab when he was driving right by. Say, Bessy's going to be gone to her sister's next week. Do you think you can help out at the store for a few days?”
”Sure.”
”I could help out.”
Kristie glanced behind her and found her grandpa standing close by. Surprised by his offer, she asked,
”You could?”
”Why not? I know the fis.h.i.+n' business inside and out.”
”I would have to agree with that,” Rose replied, smiling.
”Then I'll let you two discuss it while I check on my daughter.” Kristie stepped off the veranda and
crossed the backyard to the swing where Blu sat with Amanda on his lap.
She had selected a light blue sundress to wear to dinner, and had left her hair loose to move against her bare shoulders. There was a gentle breeze, and she could smell jasmine in the air. Blu looked so handsome holding Amanda, his shoes off and his long, jeans-clad legs stretched out in front of him. He
looked sinfully s.e.xy and tough as nails. And she was so in love with him that this past week had seemed like a dream.
”Hi, you two.”
”Hi, Mommeee.” The minute she sat down, Amanda launched herself at Kristie and hugged her, then
pointed to Brodie Hewitt, where he stood on the veranda talking to Ry and Margo. ”What's dat in Unck's hand?”
”Brodie's thirsty.” It was Blu who answered.
”Me firsty, too, Da.” Suddenly Amanda wiggled down and set her sights on Brodie. ”Unck, me firsty.”
She was pointing to his can of beer. Both Blu and Kristie said at the same time, ”No!”