Page 27 of Break Away
“Vegetarian kabobs for the grill.”
“Ooh, what’s on them?”
“Marinated mushrooms, onion, peppers,zucchini, some extra-firm tofu, and pineapple. We’ll see how theyhold up on the grill. I made a pineapple teriyaki sauce to go withit.”
“That sounds yum. Aunt Trish has those basketthings you can put them in to barbecue. They work pretty well withvegetables. Let’s get this inside.”
She followed her friend onto the deck, thennearly tripped when she recognized the couple sitting on a longbench. Meg and Declan Murphy sat with their little girl. She worecute pink shorts and a t-shirt with a big rainbow-colored heart,and was taking tiny bites from a huge slice of watermelon hermother was holding for her.
Zoey liked to read, and she’d read DexMichaels books even before knowing the author’s real name wasDeclan Murphy and that he was local. Then she learned Declan’s wifewas Meghan Bennett, whoseDarkening of Ardenstalfantasyworld had grabbed Zoey and hadn’t let go until she’d read everybook in the series, and she was feeling a little starstruck.Acknowledging Meghan’s wave with a little one of her own, Zoeyweaved through chairs to the door.
Eva held open the screen door for Trish, whowas carrying a platter of hamburger patties. She was dressed forsummer with white shorts and a sleeveless denim shirt, her strappysilver sandals providing a nice contrast to the deep red toenailpolish. When she grew up, Zoey wanted to be as well put togetherand poised as Trish Gallagher.
From Eva, Zoey had learned how Trish hadtaken over the family’s rental properties after her husband haddied, invested wisely, and now not only supported herself, but hadestablished a nonprofit to help single parents struggling to makeends meet. Beyond being a smart and successful businesswoman, she’draised four amazing children who adored her.
Trish handed off the patties to Brad, thenturned to greet her guest. “I’m so glad you came.” After a quickhug, she reached for the container Zoey carried. “What do we havehere?”
“Vegetarian kabobs. Once Brad is done withthe barbecue, I can grill them.”
Trish pried up a corner to peer inside thecontainer. “Oh, this is perfect. Thank you. Current evidenceaside,” she waved at the meat on the grill, “I’ve told Landon we’regoing to be cutting back on our meat consumption. It’s better forour health, and better for the planet. You’d have thought I’dsuggested selling my house and moving to Bolivia.”
“What’s this about moving to Bolivia? I hearthey raise a lot of beef in Bolivia.” Despite his generally seriousexpression, the spark in Landon Halloway’s eyes coupled with thehand at Trish’s waist when he peered over her shoulder made itclear she was the center of his world.
Trish kissed his cheek. “Enjoy your meattoday, my love, because going forward, moderation will be the nameof the game.” She turned to Zoey. “There are pitchers of water,lemonade, and iced tea, and we’re using glasses instead of plasticcups, which I hope I don’t regret. Help yourself, or head over toJack who’s making margaritas as we speak. I’ll let you know whenthe grill is clear for you to put on your kabobs. It won’t be long,and then we’ll be ready to eat.
After grabbing a glass of lemonade, Zoey wasstanding at the barbecue with her kabobs in one of the basketthings Eva had recommended when Levi came up the steps from theside gate. God, he was gorgeous, all tousled dark hair, bold blueeyes, and that lean, tough body.
His jeans were ripped at the knee and he worea simple dark green t-shirt that hugged the muscles of his chest.Trish, stacking paper plates and napkins on the long table thatwould be used as a buffet, spied her youngest son and seteverything down to walk into his open arms. Levi wrapped up hismother, rested his cheek on the top of her head, and closed hiseyes. Zoey swallowed past a tightness in her throat.
Trish wiped her eyes when she pulled back.“I’m so damn glad you’re home, Levi James.”
“Me too, Mom.”
She scrutinized him with a look Zoeyrecognized. “You look better. Are you sleeping?”
“Yeah, Mom. I’m sleeping. I’m fine.”
Trish must have been satisfied, because shesaid, “Good,” and resumed setting up the buffet. Levi scanned thecrowd until his gaze snapped on Zoey like a rare earth magnet. Hetook a step in her direction before being intercepted by a smallwhirlwind.
“Uncle Levi, Uncle Levi!” Keeley ran onto thedeck, adorable in her yellow shorts overalls, and missing onesandal. Levi swung her up into his arms and had the little girlshrieking with laughter when he pretended to gobble her neck. “Saveme, Daddy!”
Logan paused in his conversation with rancherEli MacElvoy. He crossed the deck to pluck his daughter from Levi’sarms and she clambered up until she sat on her father’sshoulders.
“Uncle Levi can’t get me up here. My daddywill protect me.”
“Hey, I’m the favorite uncle. Why’s he needto protect you?”
Keeley wrapped her arms around Logan’s head.“My daddy is my favorite mister person.”
Logan’s smile was smug. “Hear that? I’m thefavorite mister person. Get your own fan club.”
“Mister person? When did she learn to talk somuch?”
“This kid was born talking. She’s almost fourand asks me a thousand questions a day. She’s got a bettervocabulary than I do.”
Keeley thumped her bare foot against herfather’s chest. “I lost my sandal.”
Logan cocked his head to look up at her.“Where’d you lose it?”
