Page 42 of Property of Tacoma
There’s an unspoken understanding that passes between us.
Heat spreads through my chest, and it has nothing to do with physical attraction—though there’s plenty of that too.
After dinner, everyone pitches in to help with the cleanup.
I find myself at the sink with Roxy, washing dishes while she dries.
“Thank you for such an amazing meal,” I tell her. “I haven’t had homemade lasagna like that... well, ever.”
She smiles, the lines around her eyes crinkling. “You’re welcome, honey. It’s nice having another woman around. These boys can be a bit much sometimes.”
I laugh, passing her a clean plate. “I can imagine.”
“You should come by the house tomorrow,” she suggests. “I could show you my garden. I grow all my own herbs for cooking.”
Before I can tell her that I’m leaving tonight, Eagle appears in the doorway. “We’re heading out, Rox. Taking the kids back to our place.”
Roxy nods, hanging up her dish towel. “You coming, Saylor? Jagger?”
Saylor bounces into the kitchen. “Can Panda come too?”
I hesitate. “I’m sorry, sweetie. We’re leaving.”
Saylor’s face falls, and her blue eyes, a carbon copy of her father’s, turn glassy. “But, I don’t want you to leave.”
My heart twists at her crestfallen expression.
I’ve only known this little girl for a day, but somehow she’s already wormed her way into my heart.
“I have to get back to Jacksonville,” I explain gently. “My brother is expecting me.”
“Can’t you call him?” she pleads, grabbing my hand. “Please stay. Just one more day?”
I look up to find Tacoma leaning against the doorframe, watching us with an unreadable expression.
“Saylor, don’t pressure our guest,” he says, but there’s something in his voice that makes me wonder if he wants me to stay, too.
Jagger appears beside his sister, ruffling her hair. “Come on, squirt. Let’s go with Grandma and Pop.”
Saylor’s bottom lip trembles slightly. “But?—”
“I’ll walk you guys out,” I offer, hoping to soften the blow.
The little girl nods reluctantly, taking my hand again as we follow Eagle and Roxy toward the door.
Panda scurries after us, chittering as if sensing something’s happening.
Outside, the night air is warm with a gentle breeze coming off the Gulf. The stars are brighter here than in Jacksonville, away from the city lights.
Saylor throws her arms around my waist in a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you.”
Something tugs at my heart. “I’m going to miss you too, sweetheart.”
Jagger surprises me by giving me a quick, awkward hug. “It was cool meeting you,” he mumbles.
“You too,” I reply, genuinely meaning it.
I watch as they pile into Eagle’s truck, Saylor waving frantically through the window until they disappear down the gravel road that leads to a row of houses.
