Page 28 of The Alien Reindeer's Bounty
“No, I don’t think she does.”
The dog returned and dropped the ball at Ruby’s feet. She tossed it and the dog gave happy chase.
“Why?” she asked.
“We used to be friends. Sometimes you get mad at your friends.” Sometimes you fall in love with your friend and keep secrets from them to protect them, but you end up hurting them.
“That’s dumb. Mommy doesn’t get mad unless you did something bad.”
“Rest assured, she is justified in her dislike.”
The dog returned and dropped the ball at his feet. He ignored the pleading eyes. The dog nosed the ball and whined. With a sigh, he threw the ball and the dog took off so fast she nearly flipped over in excitement.
“Have you told Mommy that you’re sorry and won’t do it again?”
He shook his head. “I have not.”
“That’s dumb, too.” Her tone implied that she thought Mads particularly lacking. “Aren’t you cold?”
“I like the cold.”
“Mommy’s mad at Grandma too. Called her an ‘interfering old woman.’” Ruby’s voice deepened as she mimicked her mother.
Mads pressed his lips together to stifle a laugh. “Do you think that if I apologize, she’ll forgive me?”
Ruby nodded, her curls bounced with the force of her zeal. “One time, Mommy and me were painting our nails and I spilled the bottle and it went all over the kitchen table. I told her I didn’t mean to and she wasn’t upset.” She smiled brightly. “You should do that.”
“Thank you for the sage wisdom.” He did not place much hope in a simple apology, but it was a good place to start.
Odessa
This freaking day.Her parents weren’t normally so… extra. They were supportive and adored Ruby but when they thought they knew best, they went into smother mode.
The hot shower worked wonders on the tension in her shoulders and neck. She took two over-the-counter pain relievers, dressed in comfy black leggings and an oversized green sweater, and went to lay down on the bed, just until the dizziness passed. Stress rarely made her fall apart—she managed a grocery store, for crying out loud—but today hit all her buttons. The combination of a headache, lack of sleep, the sweltering heat—how was the rest of the house so cold when the kitchen was a furnace?—and the noise from too many people demanding her attention packed a punch.
And Mads got to see her in all her sweaty, grungy glory. Delightful.
Not that she cared what he thought of her, because she didn’t.
A knock sounded at the door. Odessa adjusted the damp washcloth over her brow. “Come in.”
“I brought you a plate,” Patricia said.
“Thanks.” Odessa sat up in bed, not feeling particularly hungry but food might help. She accepted the plate and popped a small piece of turkey in her mouth, suddenly ravenous.
“It’s chilly in here.” Patricia shivered and rubbed her arms.
“This room is always drafty,” Odessa said. That was part of the charm of living in an older home. “I think I’m well enough to come down and eat with everyone.”
“I should have come over earlier to help. I’m sorry about that. Hosting your first Thanksgiving is a lot.”
“It’s not that—” Odessa struggled to find the words.
Patricia gave her a pat on the leg. “He’s a nice boy.”
“Please, no,” she groaned.
“What? He is. You used to be so close and he’s very good looking.”
