Chapter 18 #2
“Let’s see,” I said as I scanned the crowd.
I pointed out the women who had stood up with Bella, and gave some insight into what they were like as I explained how long I’d known them.
I shared some funny stories from our childhood and teenage years, and soon Cassia was crying again, but this time the tears were from laughter.
“Those guys over there are my cousins . . .”
“My guess is that the majority of the people here right now are your cousins.”
I laughed because she was right. There were quite a few Forresters in the crowd, but even more people who didn’t share my last name but were still family. “Wild and Ransom are my cousins. They’re Clem and Kale’s sons. The other guy is Lazlo.”
“It looks like they’re having a serious discussion,” Cassia pointed out.
I followed their gaze and realized that the guys were watching Jewel Parker and suddenly remembered that we were in the middle of a competition and I was probably well behind them as far as progress toward the target.
“Shit! I know what they’re talking about. How could I forget we were in the middle of a competition?”
“What are you competing for?”
“Our cousin, Crow, challenged us to see which one could get Jewel to trust us.”
“Who is Jewel?”
I looked around until I found Jewel Parker, one of the older people in our generation of family and friends, and then pointed her out to Cassia.
“That’s Jewel. She’s a doctor in the same practice I told you about.
Her brother is the neurologist Ivy was referred to, and her niece is the pediatrician. ”
“A family full of doctors?” Cassia asked.
“Doctors, lawyers, and many other things,” I explained.
“Why wouldn’t she trust you if you’ve known her your entire life?”
“Jewel is a hard nut to crack. She probably loves us with the tiny iota of soul she has left after making a pact with the devil, but . . . “
“She made a pact with the devil?” Cassia asked skeptically.
“Yes. Her dog is the devil.”
“She . . hold on. What?” Cassia asked with a bark of laughter. “Explain, please.”
“She’s got a dog named Ursula who I am almost positive eats innocent souls for breakfast and will only snack on fresh bodies that Jewel sacrifices for her.”
“I don’t know what’s more crazy - the thought of this might be true or the fact that you really seem to believe it.”
I ignored her skepticism and said, “The thing is that I agreed to join this competition, and the end result is that not only do I have to become friends with Jewel, but I have to figure out how to get her dog to like me.”
“Surely that won’t be too hard.”
“You’d have to meet Jewel to understand just how difficult it’s going to be.”
“Did you agree to complete this task alone or can you have help?”
“There wasn’t anything in the rules stating I can’t call in reinforcements.”
“Consider me your sidekick in this venture. What’s the prize?
” I felt a little silly admitting that there wasn’t any prize other than bragging rights, but when I told her that she just smiled and said, “That’s perfectly acceptable.
People don’t get a prize for climbing Everest unless you consider frostbite a trophy, so if she’s as hard to approach and get to know as you say she is then it’s worth the pride you’ll feel when you win. ”
“And you’re willing to help me?” I asked.
“Why not? I love a challenge!”
“Obviously I do too, because I consider getting you to open up to me a challenge in itself. I’ve been so focused on getting to know you and Ivy that I’m probably already so far behind that I’ll never catch up.”
“Don’t doubt my power, Memphis. And remember that you’ve got an ace up your sleeve.”
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Ivy. She can charm even the most hardened person. All she has to do is flash her dimples and people start doing her bidding.”
I laughed because that was completely accurate.
She had me and the rest of my family eating out of the palm of her hand within minutes, and not all of that had to do with the fact that she was my child.
She had a presence about her that was impossible to ignore, and I thought Cassia might be right.
Ivy could crack the hardest nut with just a sweet grin, and when she did something adorable like reach out to hold your hand or lay her head on your shoulder as she snuggled up to you, there was no hope of ever escaping her web, not that anyone would want to.
“Before we bring in the ringer, I’ve got to find a way into her circle of trust, which means you’ll need to introduce me and let me work my magic.”
“Are you sure you’re willing to go up against Jewel? She enjoys making innocent people doubt their life choices, and it feeds her soul when people cry.”
“She can’t be that bad or your family wouldn’t love her.”
“She really can. I promise. She’s been part of my family since she was a kid so it’s not like they had a choice in the matter.”
“I have a choice and I’m willing to wade into the shark infested waters with you.”
“I’m not exactly sure what that says about you, but I like it.”