Page 20 of Derailed
“Oh, thank goodness. There’s a lot of testosterone in there.” I shake my head before I blabber any more. “But who is this?” I lean closer to examine the puppy’s face. He looks like a little lion with that giant mane of hair. I reach forward so he can sniff the back of my hand. “Oh, you are just the cutest pup I’ve ever seen, aren’tyou?”
I glance up and find Trent’s mom laughing. Straightening my spine, I pull my hand back. I’m sure I sound like an idiot, but there’s something about a dog like this that brings out a high pitch in my voice. “Sorry. I’ve never had a petbefore.”
“He’s mine.” She drops a kiss on his head, and for the first time in years I wonder if I might own a pet one day. It’s never been possible before, but even as a child I dreamed of that kind of companionship. “Even though he’s naughty, I still love him. Kinda like myson.”
“He’s adorable.” As if Tony agrees, he yips, and both Deb and I laugh. I glance back at the house before meeting her gaze. “If there’s anything I can help with around here—washing dishes, laundry, floors, whatever—please let me know. I’m used to keepingbusy.”
Her brows rise with my offer and she smiles. “I do need help with the bathrooms,actually.”
“Sure.” I nod, because having a job right now is just what I need. “Cleaning supplies? I tried to find them earlier but I didn’t want to snooparound.”
Trent’s mom clicks her tongue inside her mouth and narrows her gaze along with her smile. Maybe I’m imagining it, but her smile appears warmer, more welcoming than before, as though we might actually be friends. “Oh, you’re an interesting one . . . I’m teasing you. I don’t clean the bathrooms, not anymore. I wouldn’t subject you to that mess! Have you seen those boys? Overgrown children, though I love them. We have a crew that comes through to take care of this place. I prepare and cook the meals though, because I love it. And I garden forfun.”
“That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to learn how to do things like that. Grow my own food.” I shake my head and drop my gaze to the ground. “That’s sillyprobably.”
“Not at all. Want to see my garden?” Her eyes warm with delight and she sets Tony on the ground to run amuck. Nodding toward one side of the house, she gestures for me to follow. “I’ll show you a few things. I have a corner that’s open and ready to plant. I was going to do it this week. I can teachyou.”
My stomach clenches with the hope that this place might not be as lonely as I thought. “I would love that. Thankyou.”
She smiles and points a thumb over her shoulder and back toward the house. “And I’m the chef around here, but I can always use help. Nothing exciting, but it helps to have extra hands. Again, have you seen those boys? They eat as much as animals,too!”
“I’ll help anytime. As long as Coy doesn’t need meelsewhere.”
She wraps her arm around my shoulder and squeezes. “I’m glad you’re here, Jess. I think we’re going to get along justfine.”
