Page 70 of Homecoming

“He’ll get his hands dirty,” Buster said with the grunt that was the closest he came to laughter.

Kara smiled up at him. “That’ll be funny to see.”

“Fancy pants.”

“Not really, though. Get to know him. I think you’ll like him.”

“Buster will love him because you do,” Bertha said.

“We’ll see,” Buster said, reserving judgment, as he did with new people. They had to earn their way into his life. He’d had too many people disappoint him over the years not to be cautious.

One of Kara’s first memories was of Keith and Kyle teasing Buster. Even though she was younger than both of them, she’d intervened then and every time after that. No one picked on Buster when she was around.

Dan came out from the bedroom, looking scruffy and sleepy, which was one of her favorite looks for him because she was usually the only one who ever saw him that way. To everyone else, he was the pressed and polished LA lawyer. But to her, he was her love, her soul mate, her everything.

Kara stepped away from Buster to greet him with a kiss. “Morning. How late were you up?”

“Too late. Is there coffee?”

“Sure is,” Bertha said. “We’re fueled by it around here.”

“Bless you.”

“Bertha invited us to go fishing with her,” Kara said.

“I’d love to do that.”

“You want to come today?” Bertha asked.

Dan glanced at Kara. “Do you feel up to it?”

“I’d love to go. It’s my favorite thing ever.”

“Then let’s do it.”

“Don’t you have work?”

“I’m waiting on a few things, so I have time.”

“Go get ready,” Bertha said. “I’ll make some breakfast sandwiches to go while you get dressed.”

Kara felt giddy at the thought of a day on theBig B, her grandmother’s lobster boat, where some of her favorite childhood memories had been made.

“Are you sure this is okay?” Dan asked when they were in their room getting ready. “You were in the hospital yesterday.”

“With fake labor pains. I’m fine. I feel so much better since I had that IV. I’m not even nauseated this morning.”

“Wow, that’s a great development.”

“Sure is, and I’m excited to go on the boat. It’s been way too long.”

“I can’t wait to see how it all happens.”

“Bring a sweatshirt. It can get chilly on the water this time of year.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He was in the living room looking for a sweatshirt when his phone rang with a call from theLos Angeles Times. What the hell did they want? “Torrington.”

“This is Kent Thomas with theLA Times.”

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