Chapter Fourteen #3
Alara had managed to reassure her that all she needed were iron infusions and B12 injections.
Well—she'd thought that would reassure the older woman, but Faye seemed to be taking the word deficiency as a personal affront.
She was currently glaring at her computer screen at the desk in the corner, having told Alara and Zia to sit and not move until they'd finished their snacks.
Zia's lip had curled slightly as she eyed the muffins and orange juice. Although her cynicism had soon turned into enthusiasm after her first bite.
She looked up at Alara, wide-eyed. "There's cheese in here, and green leaves! Spinach ones. But you can't taste them, can you?" She wrinkled her nose. "Even though you can see them."
Alara glanced over at Faye, who was scowling at her screen, glasses perched on the end of her nose.
"I think the spinach gives them character. Most muffins are just plain… muffin-colored. These ones are special." She raised her voice a little, wanting to make sure Faye heard. "They're delicious."
"They are," Zia agreed, before taking a gulp of her orange juice.
When Faye didn't look up, Alara called, "Thank you."
Faye finally got to her feet and came to stand beside them, resting her hand on the back of Alara's stool. "You're welcome. I'll be making some changes to my cooking." She tapped the end of Zia's nose. "You'll be seeing more green things on your plates, so you'd better get used to it."
Zia picked up her muffin and studied it closely. "That's okay. I get it." She shot Alara a smile. "These ones are special. Just because they're not like the other ones, it doesn't make them bad. It just means not everyone understands them."
Faye chuckled. "Glad you understand. And you," she told Alara, "will be following orders from now on."
Alara braced herself, and Zia's eyes narrowed, ready as ever to defend her mom.
"Don't look at me like that—either of you.
I mean you'll be eating more, and I'll be choosing what I prepare more carefully.
" She nodded at their plates. "Turns out my instincts aren't all bad.
I wanted to make you something healthy for when you got back from your appointment.
Spinach is full of iron, and there's cheese and eggs in there too, so we have your B12 covered.
" She frowned. "Well. Not covered. But we're making a start. "
They all turned when Reaves spoke from the doorway. "It's a great start. Even the orange juice is perfect—there's vitamin C in it, and you need that to help absorb the iron."
Alara had to smile. She'd bet he hadn't known that snippet of information before they arrived home—he must have been researching. But no, he'd been with Charles, hadn't he?
Before she could ask, Zia patted Faye's hand. "You are very clever," she told her. "And you're very kind." She looked thoughtful for a moment. "You're never mean. Even when you won't let me do what I want to."
Alara hid a smile and exchanged a look with Reaves, who'd come into the kitchen now and was obviously trying not to laugh himself.
Faye beamed. "I'm glad you see it that way," she told Zia.
"I'm here to take care of you—that's what I want to do, whether it's feeding you or teaching you.
I'd never want to be mean to you, but I know some kids see it like that when they don't get their own way.
" She ruffled Zia's hair. "You're not one of them, though.
" She winked at Alara before adding, "Reaves wasn't either, when he was your age. "
Reaves shrugged. "We just know that Mrs. Faye cares, don't we, Z?"
Zia nodded, seemingly preoccupied as she studied Faye.
"What's up, little miss? If you have something to say, you can say it."
"You need a better name."
Alara sat up a little straighter; she'd been waiting for this.
But Zia heaved a big sigh. "And I still haven't found it. I don't know what it is yet. But I will find it."
"You let me know when you do," Faye told her.
"What about you, Reaves—do you need a snack?
There are still plenty of muffins left if you want.
No cookies today, though. I'm going back to my computer; I need to study up for my grocery list. I can already tell you that there'll be steaks on the menu this week.
" She glanced from him to Alara. "Should I shop as though you'll be here for dinner every night? "
Reaves smiled at Alara as he said, "Yeah. Please, Faye."
Something in her settled at that. He wasn't going to disappear because she wasn't desperately ill and didn't need him in the way they'd feared. It was so easy to get lost in his eyes for a moment. She jumped down from the stool, feeling guilty when she caught herself.
"I should get to work. Delaney will be here soon."
"You need to rest, Mom!" Zia said with a scowl.
"I'm only going to sit in the office and talk to her."
Reaves smiled. "Do you mind if I come with you? I'd like to see her reaction to the labels." He nodded toward the hall. "She's already here. Dad wanted a word with her first."
Zia came and took her hand. "I'm coming too. I need to make sure you rest, even while Lady Brambles is here."
"The who?" Reaves asked. "Why did you name her that?"
Zia shrugged as she tugged on Alara's hand. "She's prickly."