Page 53 of Rough Rider (Bad Boy High)
“Not even Niki?”
“Not even him.” Above Julie’s head, Andy’s eyes meet mine.
I try to convey my gratitude that she’s doing the hard work of bridging the gap between her and my sister. I push to my feet and cross over to where the two are seated. Julie makes a face when I reach for her.
“It’s not bedtime yet,” she protests.
“Not yet, but we should wash up.”
“I’m not ready. We’re reading about dragons.” She reaches past me for Andy.
“We’re going to brush our teeth and wash our faces and then we’ll read some more before bed.”
“I want to read about dragons.”
“We will. Andy needs to check in with her mom.” The bathroom is too small for three of us to fit, which gives Andy a break. Julie climbs up on her stool and watches as I grab the brushes and paste.
“Is Andy why Bam’s been reading to me?” Julie asks as I put toothpaste on her brush.
I opt for the truth. “Yeah. I’ve been keeping an eye on her because her momma’s sick and Andy’s place isn’t safe.”
“Are you going to marry her?”
“Probably. Does that bother you?” I ruffle Julie’s hair.
She wrinkles her nose. “Where you going to live?”
“With you and Mom. Where else?”
Julie looks surprised. She brushes and then spits. I hand her a glass of water, which she swishes around and then spits again. “Don’t married people get their own place?”
“We’ll have to get a bigger place than this one, but I can’t let my three girls be living separately, can I? How will I protect all of you if you’re in one place, and I’m in another?”
My sister’s shoulders relax, and she leans into me. “I’m a protector, too, you know. Andy said my hair is like the golden scales of the dragon in her book. Dragons are fierce. They breathe fire. And fly.”
“I know you’re a fierce girl. Andy is too. That’s why I like her. She’s dragonlike.” I put our toothbrushes in the medicine chest and pick Julie up. She snuggles into my hug, putting her little girl face on my shoulder, telling me by her body language that she’s no longer mad at me for missing our reading sessions.
Andy is just outside the door. She reads the whole situation with one glance. “Are we reading more about dragons?” she asks as she follows us into Julie’s room.
Julie peeps over my shoulder. “Can you do different voices?”
“Of course I can,” Andy replies, pitching her voice low.
Julie screams with laughter. “You have to use that voice for the sea orcs. You do a different voice, too, Niki.”
“I don’t know how,” I reply with my best falsetto. That sends Julie into hysterics. Andy laughs too.
“Is it that funny?” I ask, a bit bewildered.
“Yes, actually.” Andy’s face is wreathed with mirth.
If talking like a squeaky mouse makes these two happy, that’s the only voice I’ll use from now until forever because I don’t think I’ve ever felt at such peace than right this moment.
Chapter Thirty-Four
ANDY
Losing track of time isn’t the norm for me, but today I’d gotten caught up at the library trying to find the perfect books for Julie. I had a lot more fun reading to her than I knew I would. The way her face lit up with each page. I have this need to be able to do that for her when I’m invited over again. It was nice being included and to feel as though I was a part of something.
