Page 18 of Silent Menace
“Oh. That. It’s, um, something that my cousin and I came up with to refer to not-so-skillful drivers. If they’re in a black or gray car, they’re shadow muffins. If they’re in a white car, they’re fluff muffins. Green car, moldy muffins.” She flicked a glance at him, then refocused on the road. “Sayingblueberry muffinfor a blue car was too long, so we shortened it toblueber muffin.”
He couldn’t help himself. He broke into full-blown laughter.
Hailey eyed him. Apparently deciding his humor was good-natured, she allowed an impish smile to rise. “It was supposed to be a cure for my road rage, but I’ve used it so many times, I can say it with a straight face.”
Peter wiped tears from his eyes. “I don’t think I’d ever be able to shoutblueber muffinwith a straight face.”
She shrugged one shoulder. “One of my many talents.”
He laughed again.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the driveway of a large craftsman-style brick home with an expansive lawn. When they stepped out of the SUV, the scent of freshly cut grass carried on the air.
Hailey surveyed the yard, a wry expression on her face.
“Something wrong?” Peter asked.
She shook her head and moved to pull Jenna from her car seat. “I told Bryce it was too hot to mow this weekend. That man never listens.”
“Bryce Jessup?”
“Yes. You know him?”
“Sort of.” He hoped she didn’t push for an explanation. He’d known Bryce for approximately thirty-six hours before his world got turned upside down two years ago. Though they now lived in the same town, he hadn’t sought the man out, and their paths hadn’t crossed since his return.
She shrugged, apparently satisfied with the vague response. “He’s my cousin. One of the gentlest guys you’ll ever meet. I thought I’d struggle with keeping this place up on my own, but between Bryce, his sister’s fiancé, and my dad, I rarely have to worry about anything like that.”
“I’m glad you have them.”
“Me too.” A shadow flitted across her face. Was she thinking about her late husband? Jenna started squirming, and just as quickly as the shadow had appeared, it was gone.
10
Hailey setJenna down, making sure she was steady on her feet. She bent to her eye level and snapped her fingers twice, the ASL sign fordog, then she asked, “You ready to go see Maggie?”
Jenna’s eyes brightened, and she toddled gleefully toward the house.
Hailey grinned at Peter as they followed her up the porch steps. “She and Maggie are besties.”
“Ah.”
As always, Maggie was at the door, ready to greet them as soon as it was open. Jenna squealed with delight and threw her arms around the dog.
“Sorry for the traffic jam.” She gently nudged Maggie out of the way and welcomed Peter inside. She took a moment to introduce him to the dog, then gave him a quick tour of the main level of the house. “Most of the family attend second service, so we have about an hour and a half before they start trickling in. I’m going to start assembling the sandwiches so we can eat soon after they arrive. Like I said earlier, you’re welcome to nap, find something on TV, or chill in here while I work.”
“Or I could assist? Unless you take a hands-off-my-kitchen approach.”
She considered his offer for a few seconds, then shrugged. “I’d never turn down help.” She slid a couple of large loaves of Italian bread toward him and pointed to the cutting board and knife she’d readied this morning—and had left well out of Jenna’s reach. “If you could slice those horizontally, then start building the sandwiches, that would be a huge help.”
“Your wish is my command.”
He started on the bread, and Hailey pulled the meats and cheeses from the fridge and gave him basic directions for how she’d like them assembled. Then, while he was occupied with that, she double-checked that Jenna was still within sight before she started throwing a large salad together. “So you said you’re from Southampton? I’ve heard of it, but I can’t place what part of England that is.”
“It’s in the south. Port city.”
“Do you ever miss it?”
“On occasion.”
