Page 111 of Emergency Exit
“It’s protective camouflage,” said Ash, coming into the room. “She just does that so the Emmas of the world won’t know she’s weird like us.”
“It’s true,” said Harper earnestly.
Mel chuckled. “Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone.”
The doorbell rang, and everyone jumped. Ash opened the door, and Rose came in carrying a fruit basket. “I brought fruit,” she wailed. “You said don’t bring anything, but I panicked and brought fruit!”
“Oh,” said Romeo. “We’re going to be fine, aren’t we?”
“Mom, it’s fine,” said Ash, taking the fruit basket.
“Hey, Rose,” said Harper, coming forward.
“Harper! Oh, I’m so glad you’re here! I brought fruit.”
“We like fruit,” said Harper as Rose hugged her.
“Unca Ash!” The bellow was full-sized, although the speaker obviously wasn’t. Olly sprinted in through the open door. He was heading for Ash and then saw Rose. “Gramma lady!”
He dove for Rose, and she caught him with a happy giggle.
“Olly, Olly, Olly, slow down!” A dark-haired man, who Harper assumed was Olly’s father, ran in, trailed by the blue-haired Chloe.
“I’ve got him,” said Rose, bouncing Olly happily on her hip.
“Here, Mom,” said Forest. “I’ll take him. Just let me get out of my coat.”
“Rose has him,” said Chloe. “There’s no rush. Harper! You’rehere. Great. You can see Olly when he’s not tackling people.”
Harper laughed. “He’s cute even when he is tackling me.” She waved at Olly, who was more interested in Rose’s necklace.
“Oh, jeez,” said Forest, handing over his coat to Ash. “When did he tackle you? Why was he tackling strangers?”
“He was tackling me,” said Ash. “Harper was collateral damage.”
“Sorry,” said Forest, looking embarrassed. “Hi, I’m Forest. You must be Harper.”
“Hi,” said Harper, shaking his hand. “I’m really interested in hearing about the tunnel project.”
“Uh… really? Ash always says I talk too much about boring machines.”
“No! I just read an article on the seismic stress of… did you mean boring like uninteresting or like drilling?”
“I think Ash means it like uninteresting, but I’m generally talking about drilling.”
“No one considered that it could be both?” asked Ash, and Chloe laughed.
“Oh, ha ha,” said Forest. “Harper, give me a few minutes to get Olly settled, and I will talk about the boring machines, and Ash can suck it.” He looked around and realized his son was nowhere in sight. “Where did Olly go?”
“Rose took him to get a cookie,” said Chloe.
“He’s going to be high on sugar all night,” said Forest. “Ash, where did you get that coffee table? It’s awesome.” He headed after Olly, and Ash gave Harper a wink. Harper’s coffee table was the first thing they had moved in after her clothes.
“Hello,” said Piper, peering through the open door.
“Piper!” said Harper. “Ash, this is Piper!”
“It’s good to meet you in person,” said Ash, grinning.
