Page 87 of Through the Fire
Chapter 26
“Why are we having a barbecue?” Kit asked, shifting her crutches so that Otto and Sarah could get into the kitchen. Otto gave her a nod, and Sarah offered a quick, one-armed hug as they passed, careful not to bump Kit’s right leg.
“It’s a yay-everyone-survived barbecue,” Hugh explained, pulling plastic wrap off the platters of raw hamburgers and steaks. “Plus, nothing’s blown up in the past, oh, ten days or so. And you’re the injured one now, so everyone fusses over you, and they leave me alone. Plenty of reasons to celebrate.”
“But why a barbecue? It’s December.”
He grinned at her as he headed for the snow-covered deck. “Because we’re crazy that way.”
Shaking her head, she pushed herself away from the counter and crutched over to the kitchen table where Wes was helping Tio with his drone. When she leaned over to kiss his temple, he turned and smiled up at her, that beaming, happy smile she didn’t think she’d ever get used to.
Since the two were occupied with their drone construction, she moved into Hugh’s living room, where everyone else had gathered.
She squeezed into the packed room. Dee, Ty, and Sam were playing with the four shepherd puppies that Hugh and the others were bottle raising. In another few weeks, they’d be old enough to go to their new homes. Theo, Otto, and Hugh were each taking a puppy, and they were pushing her to adopt one as well. The pups were so cute that not much convincing was going to be necessary. Justice would love having a dog friend.
Fifi was lying next to Sam, being surprisingly tolerant of the puppies pouncing on her wagging tail and play-fighting with her paws.
Jules squeezed in next to her. “I feel like we’re in a clown car. This house is going to explode if one more person or dog comes in here.”
“Please don’t mention explosions,” Theo said, sounding like he was at least partly kidding. At the knock on the door, he moved to answer it.
Kit watched curiously, wondering who’d arrived. From her count, everyone in their group of friends was already there. Theo stepped back, allowing the person at the door to enter. To Kit’s surprise, Mr. Espina, his left arm secured in a sling, stepped into the house. Everyone went quiet, except for some yips and squeaks from the puppies.
“Come in.” Grace was the first one to break the silence. “It’s good you came. Do you want a drink?”
He shook his head with the slightest shake, his grim expression not lightening at the invitation. Kit was struck by how hopeless he looked, and her heart squeezed for him. As much as Elena—Alex—had tried to blame him, none of what had happened had been his fault. “I just wanted to drop this off.” He handed Jules a legal-sized envelope and then turned to leave.
“You sure you don’t want to stay for a while?” Sarah asked.
Without turning around, he gave another one of those infinitesimal shakes of his head and left, quietly closing the door behind him. Everyone was silent for several moments, and Kit suspected they all felt the weight of Mr. Espina’s grief.
Jules opened the envelope. As she examined the contents, her eyes grew wider and wider.
“What is it?” Theo moved closer, putting an arm around her as he scanned over the paper in Jules’s tight grip. His eyebrows went up. “I don’t know if this is a gift or a punishment.”
“It’s a gift!” Jules’s laugh had an emotional catch to it, even as she teasingly elbowed Theo in the belly. “A wonderful gift.” She held up the document so everyone could see it. “It’s the title for our house. Mr. Espina gave us our home!”
A cheer went up, and Kit joined in, although she now understood Theo’s comment. She’d seen the state of that house. It didn’t seem to affect everyone’s joy at the news, however. As ancient and dilapidated as the place was, it was home to Jules and her family, and Kit was enormously happy for them.
Once the excitement died down slightly, Hugh brought two bottles of beer from the kitchen. He handed the first to Kit and the other to Grace. They both thanked him—Kit verbally and Grace with a quick kiss.
“No drink for me?” Jules asked with feigned offense, still flushed with excitement and hugging the title to her chest.
“Nope.” Hugh didn’t look at all bothered by her scolding. “I only have two hands. Kit gets all the free drinks she wants until she forgives us for ever doubting her, and Grace is my sweetie pie. Besides, you already got a house. Now you want a beer, too? Kind of greedy, don’t you think?”
Theo, who must’ve slipped into the kitchen in the meantime, handed Jules and Sarah each a bottle.
Giving him a smile, Jules said, “Thank you, even if it is beer.”
“What else would we drink at a barbecue?” Hugh asked, heading back out to the deck.
Kit asked, “Does anyone else think it’s weird we’re grilling out in December?”
“Hugh likes to host at least one winter barbecue a year. If we suggest waiting until it warms up, his feelings are hurt.” Theo shrugged. “It’s warm in here, at least.” His gaze fell to Kit’s leg. “You shouldn’t be standing.”
She waved off his concern. “I sit plenty. I can see why it’s called desk duty, and I also see why everyone hates it. I can’t wait to start taking calls again.”
