Page 61 of Cursed Luck
Claudia looked from Mia to Edward, who stood behind her. “If it’s okay with you, yeah, I’d love to.”
“Momma?” a young girl called.
Mia dropped her arms, and Claudia bent at the waist. “Yeah, baby?”
“Who’s that?” she asked, a finger darting at Mia.
Edward kneeled. “Katia, sweetheart, this is my girlfriend, Mia.”
“She’s pretty!” Katia gushed.
Edward’s gaze pierced hers. “She really is.”
“Hi, Katia, nice to meet you sweetie,” Mia said.
“Where’s Daddy?” Katia asked her mother, Mia already forgotten.
Claudia stood straight and glanced around the room. “Um…”
“One of my guys went toe-to-toe with a mountain lion, so your daddy and Uncle Carter ran out to help,” Peter stated.
Katia’s eyes rounded. “Oh!”
“I’m sure Daddy and Uncle Carter will have him all patched up and back soon,” Claudia told Katia before shooting Peter a glare.
Mia watched with surprise to see Peter admonished by one of his pack members. She half-wanted to step in between him and the mother and child to make sure he didn’t punish them. Edward must have sensed her and tucked her against his side.
Peter scoffed. “Your momma’s right. They’ll be back soon. Want a wolfback ride?”
“Yes!” Katia squealed, drawing chuckles from the family nearby.
“No changing this time, Peter!” Claudia stated.
“Aww, Momma…”
“Yeah, aww, Momma, you’re no fun!” Peter whined as he lifted Katia into his arms.
Mia watched him take the young girl outside and found she couldn’t stop staring.
“He’s not the big bad wolf. You’ll see,” Claudia said before following the pair.
“I have no clue what just happened,”Mia told Edward.
He chuckled. “Let’s eat. Claudia made her mashed potatoes, and you don’t want to miss out.”
Edward was not wrong. The mashed potatoes were divine, but so were the chicken wings, sweet potato fries, pulled pork, and every other item she tried. Even the dressing on the salad had been delicious and homemade. Mia didn’t understand why Claudia wanted to work for her when she was clearly talented in the kitchen.
She sipped from the wine glass one of the sisters-in-law had given her, enjoying the fruity taste, and watched the family. Edward left her to take care of their empty dishes, and she did not think she could move. Stuffed to the max, she considered a nap on the busy couch.
“Mia, tell us about your shop?” Debbie asked.
“It’s a few blocks down from the café Brandy works at. I sell various flowers and plants—”
“If you haven’t gone, you need to!” Brandy said, gushing as she joined them. “Eddie helped her out, and now more customers are coming by, right?”
Mia smiled at the use of Edward’s nickname. “His suggestions definitely helped. Claudia’s coming to work for me if she doesn’t change her mind after…”
Debbie placed a hand on her knee. “Don’t you worry about all of that. Water under the bridge. This family is thicker than some overheard words. How far down were y’all anyhow? It amazes me how well he hears.”
