(Mis)fortune (Judgement of the Six #2)

The inside smelled lightly perfumed, and quiet pop music played overhead. The woman behind the desk looked up with a smile and welcomed us.

Minutes later, we sat in massaging chairs while our feet soaked. Nana conversed with the person rubbing lotion into her calves. I half-listened to their conversation while I watched the woman on the stool in front of me. She sorted through her metal instruments, selecting two and lifted my foot out of the water.

“...mauled by some kind of dog.”

The words caught my attention, and I glanced at the woman at Nana’s feet. I didn’t see how talking about a mauling counted as a relaxing day.

“Happened almost a month ago. I just read more about it this morning. I guess the guy’s family went missing right after that. There’s all kinds of speculation.”

“Not that I don’t feel sorry for the man, but why would that go viral?” Nana asked.

I tried not to smile at Nana’s very modern terminology.

“The dog is crazy big. It stood chest high. They’re trying to identify the breed but can’t.”

Great. Enormous, mad dogs on the loose. This planet needed a reality check.

The woman at my feet offered me two color wheels so I could pick a polish. I let the rest of the conversation drift over me while I studied a vibrant pink-orange.



Nails polished, purchases in the back seat, we headed home hours later. I thanked Nana for the day. I’d tried to be fun and gracious, but Nana probably noticed my lack of enthusiasm.

She waved off my thanks. “The nails were Jim’s treat. All I sprang for was the phone plan, which we needed. Adding you to it was no hardship.”

I toyed with the cell phone in my hands. It had a data plan. Probably Emmitt’s idea. The phone could come in handy. I liked knowing I could call and check up on my brothers if I did have to leave them for some reason—like today.

Sitting back in my seat, I watched the country fly past. For an older person, Nana Wini liked to speed. Thankfully, she drove well.

When we pulled into the driveway, Jim and the boys waved from the backyard. They had the sprinkler on full blast. I’d known my brothers would be fine on a certain level, but actually seeing them melted the tension that had prevented me from truly enjoying the day.

I opened the back door to pull out my purchases while Nana Wini went to ask the boys if they’d had fun. Not only had Nana insisted on me getting a phone, but she’d also insisted I buy a dress and shoes, saying that every woman needed something pretty in her closest for any occasion. I didn’t see myself ever going anywhere, so why bother with a dress? But, she’d persisted until I’d distractedly found a solid black dress. Without trying it on, we’d purchased it. I’d assured Nana I knew my size. I really had no idea if the dress would fit but had wanted to get back to my brothers.

Carrying my dress, covered by a white plastic bag so it wouldn’t get dirty, I stepped onto the porch.

“Hold on,” Jim called, leaving the boys to their sprinkler. “You can’t sneak in without showing me.” He looked at me expectantly, and I wiggled my toes for him, again glad I’d worn sandals. “Very nice. Now the dress.”

“How did you—”

“Emmitt told me his contribution to your day.”

Emmitt had wanted me to buy a dress?

“It’s why I thought you’d want your nails done. Better hurry, I hear him coming.”

I gaped at him. “I don’t know if anyone will get to see me in this dress.”

“Day’s not done yet,” he grinned back at me. I shook my head and thanked him for the special consideration. Then I gave him a quick, spontaneous hug.

“You keep that up, and he’ll be treating you to spa days with Nana Wini every week.” Emmitt’s voice rang in the entry.

I turned and saw him coming down the steps. My eyes devoured him, and I realized I’d missed him, too.

“Thank you for the dress,” I said sincerely.

Jim moved away from us, heading toward the boys who still regaled Nana about what they’d done.

“You’re welcome. Just don’t let Jim see it before I do.”

“I think it might stay in the bag for a while.”

“I hope not. I was wondering if you’d consider going to dinner with me. Next Saturday,” he assured me when he saw my panicked look.

My panic had nothing to do with leaving Liam and Aden this time. “A date?” I asked before I could stop myself.

“If you’re not too busy.” He wore a teasing smile.

I shrugged, pretending indifference. “I’ll see what I can do.” First, I’d need to try on the dress.

He moved aside so I could carry my things up. “You coming back outside or going to research again?”

Without knowing it, he’d reminded me what I needed to do before playing dress up. “Both. I’ll bring the tablet out here.”