Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
A fter Beryl finished with giving Ruthie her bottle, Joyce sent her next door to the girls with a batch of muffins. The night before, they’d taken a macaroni cheese over.
Beryl was gone nearly twenty minutes, so Joyce wasn’t surprised when she came back with news. “You’re never going to believe this,” she said, bursting into Mitch’s office.
“Try me.” Joyce was in the midst of polishing all the wood surfaces with orange oil. Not only did it give a lovely sheen, but it made everything smell gorgeous. Once the wood was done, all that was left was the baseboards and a thorough hoovering.
“Lucas called Kai, he’s the—”
“Marina master,” Joyce said with a nod. “I know who he is.”
“Well, Lucas called him, and Kai called a friend of his at the marine patrol unit of the police department and they sent a boat out there and told those paparazzies to sling their hooks! Something about unlawful anchorage and obstruction of a public waterway.”
“So they’re gone?” Joyce straightened. “That’s bloody fantastic.”
Beryl nodded. “It is. I’m going to give that man some of those Chelsea buns I’ve got proofing.”
Joyce laughed. “Kai did the work.”
“I’ve made enough. They can both have some.” She turned on her heel. “I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”
“Hang on. Are you making any for the house? Kyle might want to try one. He’s probably never had a Chelsea bun. Might be good for him. I wouldn’t mind one myself.” It had been years since she’d had a Chelsea bun and Beryl’s were the best.
“There’ll be plenty. A double batch makes eighteen. That’s six apiece for the two of them and six for us.”
Joyce gave a nod. “Very good.”
Beryl went off to the kitchen and Joyce went back to work. Wasn’t long before her apron pocket started vibrating. She reached in and pulled out her phone. It was Mitch. She smiled as she answered. “Hello, there. How are things?”
“Everything’s good. We’re heading to the airport shortly, but it’s a red-eye and we won’t land until ten a.m. tomorrow.”
“Oh, my,” Joyce said. “You’re going to wear yourself out, the two of you.”
“We’ll sleep on the plane, I’m sure. We did on the way out. Just wanted to let you know when to expect me.”
“I appreciate the call.”
“How’s Ruthie? And Kyle?”
“Kyle’s been working like crazy. Ruthie’s good as gold. Oh! Did you hear? Lucas and Kai got rid of the paparazzi boats!”
“I did hear. Frankie texted Harper about it. Lucas is a good man. So is Kai.”
“Yes, indeed. Beryl’s making them both a little treat.”
Mitch laughed. “That’s great. They certainly earned it.”
“How’s Harper holding up?”
“She’s doing fine.”
“Good. I know how hard this was for her. You both get home safe now.”
“We will. See you tomorrow.”
“We’ll be waiting. Bye now.” She hung up, set her cleaning supplies aside and went in to see Kyle. “Sorry to bother you. Just talked to your dad. He’ll be home in the morning, in case you hadn’t heard.”
Kyle nodded and leaned back in his chair, stretching. “Thanks, Joyce.” He rolled his shoulders. “I think I need a break.”
“You could take Ruthie to the pool for a bit. I’m sure Bunny would like that, too.”
Kyle smiled. “Yeah, that’s a good idea.” He got up. “Did you plan anything for dinner?”
“Roast chicken and veg. Unless you want something else?”
“No, that’s fine. I was going to say I could make myself a sandwich. You’ve been working awfully hard since Dad left.”
“It’s not often he’s out of that office. It needed a good cleaning. I’m almost done.”
“Then you and Beryl going to head home?”
“Beryl’s got to finish up her baking. Once that’s done, we will. Unless you need us for something.”
He shook his head. “Nah. I just like having you guys around. It’s weird just me and Ruthie in the house, you know?”
She smiled. “That’s sweet of you to say, but your dad will be back tomorrow.”
“I know.” He shrugged. “I guess living with Addison and being ignored most of the time has made me more appreciative of company.”
Her heart broke a little. Hard for it not to when she thought about what he’d gone through. “We could stay, if you want. Maybe watch a movie or some such?”
“Yeah? A movie would be good. You guys could pick it. Anything you want. And I’m sure there will be enough chicken for all of us.”
Wasn’t he sweet? “I’ll just go have a chat with Beryl.”
“Okay.”
She headed to the kitchen and leaned in toward her sister. “We’re staying for dinner and a movie.”
“Staying where?”
“Here. The lad’s a bit lonely with his dad gone.”
“Oh, bless him,” Beryl said. “It’s all right with me.”
“He said we can pick the movie.”
“Is that right?” Beryl got a look in her eyes. “I vote for Kate and Leopold . You know how I love that Hugh Jackman.”
“I do,” Joyce said. “He is a bit of all right, isn’t he? I don’t know if Kyle will feel quite the same, though.”
“He said we could pick, didn’t he?”
“True.” Joyce laughed. “Well, that’s what he gets, I suppose.”
“Won’t hurt him none to watch a love story.” The oven beeped and Beryl slid the two pans of Chelsea buns in, then set the timer.
“I don’t suppose it will.” Joyce went back to her cleaning. It took her a little longer to finish than she’d thought, but when she was done, there wasn’t a surface that hadn’t been left sparkling or polished or spotless.
She lifted her chin, proud of her work. Bunny trotted in just as she was about to close the door. “Oh, no, you don’t. I won’t have dog hair all over everything. Out with you now, you scamp.”
Bunny gave Joyce a look. Joyce shook her head. “Nope. Out.”
Bunny didn’t budge.
The aroma of the buns drifted in, giving Joyce an idea. “I’ll give you a cookie.”
With a sigh, Bunny trotted back out. Joyce kept her word and gave her a doggy biscuit. The Chelsea buns were out and on the cooling rack, the lemony-fruity scent of them making her mouth water.
Beryl was cleaning up in the kitchen. “Kyle took Ruthie down to the pool, but I suspect they’ll be up soon. I’ve already put the chicken in to roast. Anything else I can do?”
Joyce looked around. “The table needs set, but I’d like to pop home and take a shower before dinner. I worked up quite a sweat today.”
“Go on then, you’ve got time. I’ll take care of things here.”
When Joyce got back, Beryl had the table set. She’d also made a small salad. She looked up as Joyce came in. “That was quick. Chicken won’t be out for another twenty minutes.”
“Didn’t want to hold anyone up.” Joyce looked around. “Are Kyle and Ruthie still in the pool?”
“No. He’s giving her a bath, then they’ll be out.”
“I’ll go collect the mail then,” Joyce said.
By the time the chicken and veg were done, Kyle and Ruthie had joined them.
“We’re here!” Kyle carried Ruthie to her swing chair and put her in it. Bunny, who’d followed them from the bedroom, sat nearby. “There you go, sweetness.”
Ruthie reached out, fingers wiggling.
“What do you want, Ruthie?” Kyle asked. “You want me or Auntie Beryl or Auntie Joyce?”
Beryl brought the salad dressing to the table. “I’m sure it’s you she wants.”
Joyce couldn’t say anything. She was still processing Auntie Joyce. Didn’t that have a lovely ring to it? She cleared her throat softly, finding her voice again. “Maybe if you sit, Kyle, and pull her swing closer to you.”
He grabbed a soda from the refrigerator, then took his seat, easing Ruthie’s swing next to him as Joyce had suggested.
Ruthie patted her hands on the little tray in front of her and let out a happy squeal.
Joyce nodded. “That’s what she wanted. To be close to Daddy.”
Kyle helped himself to the salad. “Maybe she wanted to be close to all of us.” He looked at Ruthie. “You love your aunties, don’t you?”
Ruthie smiled at him, making funny little noises and laughing. Even Bunny got closer, tail wagging.
Beryl brought over glasses of water for her and Joyce, then took her chair. “This is lovely, innit? Like a little family meal.”
Kyle nodded. “It’s exactly like a family meal because it is a family meal.” He lifted his can of soda. “Here’s to family, blood or not. I love you guys. Thank you for looking after Ruthie. And me.” He laughed and looked at Joyce. “And especially Dad.”
Joyce inhaled, trying to keep her emotions from getting the best of her. She raised her glass of water. “You’re most welcome.”
She wouldn’t have had it any other way.