Page 79 of Crash Course
"Right," Cilla said. "It’s typically a letter worded in a way that won’t create mass panic. The ones I’ve seen are generic enough to assure residents that the town is cleaning it up and there’s no cause for concern. Then the town council sits back and hopes a class action suit doesn’t come their way."
Cruz and Zeke, apparently sharing a wavelength, eyed Rohan.
"Great," Ro said. "There goes the rest of my night."
Ouch. Guilt slammed Cruz. Rohan, thanks in large part to falling in love with Lena, had finally decompressed. To not be so freaking obsessed with keeping them all safe, doing the right thing, blah, blah, blah and generally making himself nuts. Now they were demanding all his newly-found free time.
"Wait," Cilla said. "What did I miss?"
Cruz met her eye. "Ro will do research on the town’s water reclamation company."
"I see."
That task being dispensed with, Cruz stood. "Cilla has business in Asheville tomorrow. I invited her to spend the night. I’ll put her in the guest suite by mine. Did y’all eat?"
"Not yet. We got caught up. Mom and Grams went out. Liv and Brodie are visiting her parents. Phin is working with Kayla."
"I’ll buy," Cilla offered. "Whatever y’all want."
"Absolutely not," Zeke said. "You’re our guest."
"An unannounced guest whose fault it is Rohan has to spend his evening doing . . .research. The least I can do is supply dinner. I’m not taking no for an answer."
Having spent some time with Cilla, Cruz got the idea that a bloody battle they’d lose might ensue. "She’s a freaking lawyer," Cruz said. "It’s not worth arguing over. Let her buy us dinner."
"The B," Rohan said, "has that fried chicken family meal deal tonight. I was thinking about that anyway. Lena is holed up trying to finish a painting."
"Randi’s fried chicken works for me," Zeke said.
"Excellent," Cilla said. "Family meal deal it is then. And thank you for not debating with me. I owe y’all for what you’ve done."
Zeke stood. "You don’t owe us anything. We appreciate you treating us to dinner. Cruz, you order. I’ll pick it up. I could use some air."
Rohan stood, folded his laptop. "I’ll be in my office. Maybe I’ll find something quick."
By 8:30,everyone had eaten and Cruz sent Zeke and Rohan out of the kitchen, offering to clean up since Zeke had played delivery boy, and Rohan busied himself hacking into the Morgan Water Treatment Facility. So far, no luck, but knowing Ro, that wouldn’t last long.
Cruz loaded the last dish into the washer while Cilla carried leftover potato salad and chicken to the fridge. Door open, she stood back and twisted her lips. No doubt in awe of Mom’s organizational skills.
"Just shove it anywhere," Cruz said. "When my mother gets back, she’ll move it anyway."
She always did. Her military habits clung like stink on a hog. Everything had a rightful place. He’d put something in the drawer and the next morning? Moved. He’d grown used to it. Came with the territory when living with people.
Cilla placed the items inside, closed the door and came to stand by him at the sink. "Does it bother you?"
Drying his hands, he hung the damp towel on the dishwasher handle and lined up the edges the way Mom liked. He studied his handiwork, considered it a done deal, and faced Cilla again. "Does what bother me?"
"That she moves things?"
At times, yes. He considered it a difference of opinion since he couldn’t think that hard about organizing a fridge.
"Eh," he said. "I’m used to it. She likes order. Plus, if anything is lost, she knows where it is."
He glanced around the kitchen, found it in acceptable condition, and then looked out the window at the darkening sky. According to his weather app, it should be clear skies. Which meant a bazillion stars.
Lucky me.
He faced Cilla again and propped one hip against the counter. "I know you have work, but I’d like to show you something."
