Page 20 of Fractured Hope
To my surprise, Lyric had set Bodhi up with the spare tablet, and he was resting on the break room couch reading. A frown marred his sweet face as he stared intently at the tablet. His walking boot was lying on the floor next to him.
“You okay, there?” I asked, checking him over. “Let me grab some ice for your foot and ribs. The doctor said you should be icing it for the next few days.”
“I’m good and thanks.” He glanced up with a smile that warmed something inside me. I hurriedly made two ice bundles with spare ziplock bags and fresh dish towels. Handing him one for his ribs, I set about placing the other bundle over the top of his foot, watching him for any extra signs of discomfort.
“I’ll just be out there if you need anything. Lyric and Seb will be around, too.” I gestured over my shoulder at the workshop. He sent me another sweet smile and settled back to read.
I had no choice but to get to work. I had almost a day’s worth to catch up on and I needed to get my head in the game.
The next time I looked up was to the sound of Mama’s voice as she came bustling in with enough food to feed an army.
“Where are my yperifáneia kai chará.”
“Hey, Mama!” Lyric came running out of the office. “You have to come meet Atty’s new man!” he added teasingly, knowing full well Mama would go off at the thought of one of her boys having a partner.
Groaning, I glared at Lyric. “Keep it down, will you?” I hissed before turning to Mama. “He’s not my man, Mama, honest. He was the man who was injured outside yesterday. I’m helping him get back on his feet,” I added quickly, not wanting her to get the wrong idea.
“Ah yes, well, what are we all standing around for? Let me meet him and feed him.” Chuckling, she moved into the break room to unload all the food she’d brought. Knowing her, we were in for a mouthwatering feast.
11
BODHI
I was so caughtup in the book I was reading that I didn’t notice anything until an older, stout woman was standing over me. Her thick dark hair was up in a mess of curls on top of her head and she assessed me with kind brown eyes. Her floral sundress and cardigan clung to her small but curvy body. Atticus stood proudly behind her.
“Bodhi, I would like you to meet my mama, Katerina,” he said quickly.
Trying to sit up, yet only managing somewhat awkwardly, I forced a smile. “It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.”
“Oh, my dear, aren’t you sweet?” She laid a hand on her ample chest. “None of that ma’am business. You can call me Kat or Mama if you want.” She smiled warmly at me; she looked so familiar. “Come now, you look hungry, and I’ve brought my boys some lunch.” She helped me stand, taking in my cast, walking boot, and the folded knee walker off to the side. She was surprisingly strong for such a tiny woman, but I’d guess she would have to be to raise four boys.
“T-thank you.”
She walked me to the table and pushed Lyric out of the nearest chair with a “git” and helped me sit.
“Hey!” Lyric let out an indignant squawk at the treatment. “Oh, I see how it is. I’m going to be competing for Mama’s affections now.” Rolling his eyes halfheartedly, he flashed me a conspiratorial smirk. “Shoulda known,” he said, shaking his head and moving to get a bunch of plates from the cabinet.
“You sit here and let me feed you,” Kat added as she filled a plate with a little bit of all the deliciousness in front of me. I shot Atticus a look because I didn’t know how to take such focused attention and didn’t want to risk offending his mother.
He clapped a hand on my shoulder and leaned down, pressing his lips close to my ear. “Just roll with it. She loves taking care of people.” His breath sent shivers through me. I guess it was a family trait, taking care of people.
She placed a fully stocked plate in front of me, and I couldn’t help the thankful grin that crossed my face. “This smells amazing.” I paused to breathe in all the scents and spices. “What is it?” I asked hesitantly.
“Moussaka, with lemon potatoes and tomato keftedes and a classic Greek salad with slow-cooked lamb,” she said pointing to each mound on my plate. I’d only understood half of what she’d said but nodded and dug in. The flavors that burst on my tongue were divine, meaty, and hearty. It wasn’t like anything I’d tasted before. It was so rich and flavorsome that I cleared my plate quickly.
We all ate around the break room table with Kat and the brothers talking about this and that and nothing in particular. When most of the food was finished, Kat turned to me, her focused gaze assessing.
“So, Bodhi, what brings you to our tiny town and what in the world did my son do to you?” Shetskedat my cast, which was resting on the table next to my plate.
“It was an accident, Mama!” Atticus exclaimed.
Feeling the need to protect him, I nodded. “It really was an accident. I was startled and lost my balance on the street. No one’s to blame.”
Nodding at me, she glanced—almost glared—at Atticus and Seb. “And I take it you boys are looking into getting that grate on the storm drain fixed immediately, so nothing like this happens again?” She raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow at them. It was so similar to looks Atticus had given me before that I let out a snort, unable to stop it.
Atticus sent me a smirk, then looked back at his mom with a perfectly chastised expression on his face. “Yes, Mama,” he and Seb responded in perfect unison.
“You better! Now help me clean this up, and then you all need to get back to work.” Her no-nonsense attitude had all three men jumping into action as they packed the leftovers, cleared the table, and stacked the dishwasher.
