Page 17 of Haunted By the Storm
"Sort of," I finally say. "It's more like an adventure. We get to stay here with Uncle Blaze's friends for a bit."
She nods, accepting this explanation. "I like Storm. He doesn't talk to me like I'm a baby."
"That's good," I say, surprised by her assessment. "It's important that people respect you."
"He respects you too," she says with the matter-of-fact confidence of a child. "He looks at you like you're a queen."
I nearly choke. "What? No, he doesn't."
She shrugs. "That's how the dragon looks at the princess in my book, like she's the most important thing in the whole world."
I'm saved from having to respond by a knock at the door. Carefully extracting myself from Emily, I go to answer it, half-expecting to find Storm has returned early.
Instead, a young woman stands in the hallway, smiling warmly. She's petite, with long dark hair and striking green eyes.
"Hi," she says. "I'm Effie, Mayhem's old lady. I brought some dinner for you and Emily."
She holds out a casserole dish that smells incredible. My stomach growls, reminding me we haven't eaten since breakfast.
"That's so kind of you," I say, taking the dish. "Please, come in."
Effie steps inside, her gaze immediately landing on Emily. "Hello there," she calls. "You must be Emily. I'm Effie."
Emily pauses her movie and turns to regard our visitor. "Hi," she says shyly. "Do you live here too?"
"We stay sometimes," Effie explains, moving closer. "But I live close to the clubhouse with my husband, Mayhem. He's one of the bikers like your Uncle Blaze."
Emily's eyes widen. "Is that his real name? Mayhem?"
Effie laughs, and it’s a bright, cheerful sound. "No, that's his road name. Like how Storm isn't really Storm."
Emily looks confused. "What's his real name, then?"
"That's something you'd have to ask him," Effie says with a wink. She turns to me. "I thought you might be tired after everything today. The casserole dish just has lasagna in it. Nothing fancy, but it should tide you over."
"It's perfect," I assure her. "Thank you."
"I also wanted to check if you need anything else," she continues. "Clothes, toiletries, books for Emily? I know you had to pack in a hurry."
Her thoughtfulness catches me off guard. Again. These people, Eda, Effie, even Storm, keep showing a kindness I wasn't expecting.
"We're okay for now," I say. "But thank you for offering."
Effie nods, seemingly satisfied. "Well, if you think of anything, just let me know. My husband and I are staying here tonight too."
The implication that they're staying to help keep us safe isn't lost on me. "You don't have to do that," I protest. "We don't want to disrupt everyone's lives."
She waves off my concern. "It's no disruption. May prefers being at the clubhouse anyway; says he sleeps better here." Her expression turns more serious. "Besides, we take care of our own. Anyone connected to a brother is family."
There it is again, that same sentiment. Our own. Family. As if our connection to Blaze automatically includes us in their circle of protection.
"Still," I say, "I appreciate it. All of it."
Effie smiles. "I should let you two eat while it's hot. But tomorrow, if you're up for it, you should bring Emily downstairs to meet the other kids. Sera and Ruby would love someone new to play with."
The thought of more social interaction with the club members makes me nervous, but I nod anyway. Emily needs normalcy, and playing with other children is part of that.
"We'll see how she's feeling," I hedge. "It's been a long day."
