Ginny: Holy shit.

Me: I know. This is going to be complicated.

Ginny: Wow. Okay, keep me posted.

Me: I will.

Mom greeted the movers and started directing them while Dad watched. I wondered what he was thinking. Probably wondering how on earth this had happened.

I went back inside to get out of their way, wondering if Tilikum was big enough for both of them.

16

Gavin

Princess Squeaker purred against the back of my neck. She was nestled in my hood—one of her favorite places to nap so far—while I drove to Skylar’s house. The tiny vibration tickled. She’d eaten all her food this morning and was using her litter box like a champ. I was ready to call this kitten rescue a success.

I pulled up outside and eyed the house for a second. There was a red car out front that I didn’t recognize. It didn’t look like something Chief would drive, and Skylar’s car was in the driveway.

Getting out of the truck with a broken leg and a kitten in my hood was slightly more complicated than without Squeaker. I didn’t want her to tumble out of my hood—or claw the shit out of my neck, which was probably more likely if I lost my balance. But I managed.

I went up to the front door and knocked, a smile already stealing over my face. I was getting too excited for this. Skylar hadn’t even opened the door, and I was already grinning.

Mellow out, Gav. Just friends. You’ve got this.

But Skylar didn’t answer.

The woman who did was a knockout. Sure, she was probably old enough to be my mom, give or take, but I could appreciate beauty regardless of age. Her dark shoulder-length hair had a streak of silver in the front. Deep red lipstick and heels to match gave her a don’t fuck with me vibe, as did her blouse and wide-legged slacks.

This had to be Skylar’s mom—Chief’s ex-wife—although I had no idea what she was doing here.

“Hi. Is Skylar here?”

Her eyes flicked down to my cast, then back to my face. “Gavin Bailey?”

“Yep.”

“Look at you, all grown up. I don’t know if you remember me; I’m Skylar’s mom, Caroline.”

I didn’t remember her—not really—but the resemblance was clear. “Nice to meet you.”

“Come on in.” Smiling, she stepped aside. “You must have been a kindergartner the last time I saw you.”

“Probably something like that.”

She shut the door behind me and called up the stairs. “Skylar!”

The whole scene gave me high school flashbacks—picking up a girl for a date, hoping her parents wouldn’t grill me too hard.

“I’m sure she’ll be down in a minute,” Caroline said.

I followed her into the kitchen and she gestured for me to take seat at the table. The counters were a mess of pots, pans, dishes, and canned food, like someone had emptied all the cupboards.

“How long do you have to be in the cast?” she asked.

“A few more weeks,” I said, lowering myself into a chair. “It wasn’t a bad break.”

“That’s good.” She shuffled a few things around on the counter. “How’s Gram?”

“She’s great. I don’t think she’s actually aging, so she’s got that going for her.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. Does she still have her gardens?”

“Oh yeah. And chickens.”

She smiled. “I always loved your gram. Such a wonderful woman.”

“Yeah, she’s the best.”

“I hear you’re a firefighter.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Oh for goodness sake, don’t ma’am me. Call me Caroline.”

I grinned at her. “Fair enough.”

“How long have you worked for Norman?”

It was funny hearing her use Chief’s first name. “I started out as a volunteer when I was eighteen, so about eight years.”

“You must be very dedicated.”

“It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do.”

She opened a cupboard and started emptying the contents onto what little space was left on the counter. “Sounds like Norman. And your dad.”

I glanced away at the mention of my father. She’d known him, of course. She and Chief had been my parents’ best friends.

“Has Tilikum changed much from when you lived here?” I asked, hoping to change the subject.

“Not much. Things are… surprisingly familiar. Does everyone still hang out at the Caboose on weekends?”

“Yeah, most of the time.”

“What about Norman? Is that where he spends his time?”

“Once in a while, but you know Chief, he’s not exactly the social type.”

She started stacking canned food in an empty cupboard. “You don’t know where he brings his dates, do you? I’m not trying to be nosy. It’s just that Skylar wouldn’t know, and since I’m in town for a little while, I wouldn’t want to make things awkward for him.”

I had to think about that one. “I have no idea. I can’t remember ever seeing Chief with a date.”

“No? Hmm.”

“I think he mostly just works.” I shrugged.

She shook her head. “The man needs to get out more.”

“You know, I agree. What’s the use in working hard if you don’t play hard too?”

“Exactly.” She paused to glance at me, the corners of her lips twitching in a subtle smile. “Not that I would wish a broken leg on you, but I think your little accident was fortuitous. If Skylar’s going to have a fling to get over her dipshit ex, he ought to be someone who gets her out of her shell a little.”

A fling to get over her ex? I cleared my throat and started to reply, but Skylar appeared in the doorway.

“Mom,” she said, her voice alarmed.

“Oh hi, honey.”

“Mom, please don’t.”

“Don’t what? I was just chatting with Gavin. I haven’t seen him since he was little.”

Skylar closed her eyes for a second and let out a long breath. “What are you doing? Rearranging the kitchen?”

“That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

“Does Dad know?”

Caroline drew her eyebrows in. “No. Why?”

“Because it’s his house,” Skylar said with a soft laugh.

“He’ll thank me later,” Caroline said. “It’s barely usable as is. I don’t know how he manages to cook anything in here.”

“Okay, well, have fun with that.”

“Actually, I need to run to the market. I don’t think he has a single spice that’s not past its expiration date.” She smiled at me. “Good to see you, Gavin.”

“You too.”

Caroline swept out of the kitchen, grabbing her purse on her way out the front door.

“Sorry,” Skylar said. “My mom can be… a lot.”

“She was fine. Is she staying here with you and your dad?”

“Yes.” Her eyebrows knitted together like she was still confused by that reality. “It’s… very weird.”