Just Like That (The Kings)

My ears pricked up when Duke mentioned Wabash Lake. When my father was arrested, it was presumed that the lake was likely the area he’d hidden evidence . . . maybe even our mother’s body. My eyes moved over the distant blueberry fields to where Wabash Lake was nestled within the forest at the heart of the state-funded hiking trail.

My blood pooled just thinking about it.

Duke was all business. “The Department of Natural Resources gave us the green light. I signed off on permission for them to use my land as a bypass. They’ll access the lake through my land so as to not disturb the hiking trail.”

Sylvie’s hand held her husband’s. “They might not find anything, but at least we can stop wondering.”

Eyes were cast downward as a somber hush floated over the tables. The tension was palpable, and a knot formed behind my shoulder blade. I wanted to run. To break something. To make this all go away so I could stop seeing the sad looks on everyone’s faces.

To my left, a soft throat clearing caught my attention. “If I may?” Hazel was digging through her oversize purse when our attention was drawn to her. She pulled a small candle from her bag and set it at the center of the table.

Just then, Teddy and Penny walked up to the table. “Oh!” Teddy exclaimed. “Setting intentions is my favorite.”

Curious glances sliced his way, but I did my best to offer him an encouraging smile.

What the fuck was happening right now?

Hazel lit the candle and held out her hands. We all stared.

Jesus, maybe she really was a witch . . .

“It’s all right,” she said. “Hold hands, please.”

She pinned me with a come the fuck on look, and I held my hands to my left and right. One by one, Sullivans and Kings all joined hands around the table, the lit candle flickering in the center.

Hazel smiled and closed her eyes. “We honor Maryann King. We lift you up with our hearts. May you find peace and grant peace to those who loved you.”

Everyone’s eyes were closed in silent prayer, but the entire time she spoke, I stared at her. With her face turned up to the setting sun, she was stunning, completely unaware and unfazed by the curious peeks of those around her. When her eyes opened, she let out a deep, cleansing exhale and grinned.

“That was lovely,” Sylvie said softly. “Thank you.”

“May she find the rest her soul craves.” Hazel’s throat cleared. “And may the person responsible for her disappearance suffer the wrath of the universe by any means necessary, including, but not limited to, a tragic fall down a flight of stairs.”

Kate sputtered as a cackle cracked out of Royal. Tootie whispered a soft oh my that was the group’s undoing. A ripple of much-needed laughter passed through the circle.

Hazel extinguished the candle with a quick puff. “Who wants pie?” she asked with a sparkle in her eye.

We dropped our hands and started passing plates for dessert.

Royal leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Did she just cast a hex on Dad?”

“Let’s hope it works . . .” My brother Abel grumbled beside me, pulling his wife closer to him.

I stifled a laugh. Apparently Hazel was the breath of fresh air we needed to lighten the mood.

Conversations flowed around me, and I was surprised when Teddy sat beside me.

“Did you get a s’more?” I asked.

His lips twisted and he shook his head. “Too messy.”

“You like pie?” I slid a small paper plate with a slice of pie in front of him.

Teddy poked it with a fork and tried to dissect it.

“Here.” I took a large forkful of pie from my plate and shoved it in my mouth. “See? It’s good.”

Satisfied, Teddy took a scoop and shoved it into his mouth. He smiled and nodded, and something shifted in my chest. I bumped my shoulder into his and took another bite. When I looked up, Hazel was staring.

“What?” I asked around a mouthful of pie.

My sister MJ leaned toward Hazel. “Did your heart just melt? Because mine did.” MJ sighed and rested her chin on her hand. “You’re so cute.”

“I am not cute,” I grumbled, shoving the last bite of pie into my mouth. “And stop talking about your melting heart. We’re Kings.”

The women laughed, and I suppressed the smile that threatened to spread across my face. I needed to keep my attention on Teddy. I was supposed to be getting to know him, not obsessing over his far-too-tempting aunt.

MJ and Hazel had started talking about her skoolie when their conversation piqued my interest.

“What about taking a hot bath? Or even a shower?” MJ asked.

Hazel smiled, seemingly used to the question. “No baths, unfortunately. There is a shower in the skoolie, but it’s not great. A lot of times I find it easier to visit a campsite with showers rather than having to constantly empty the gray water tanks.”

I frowned. That was inconvenient . . . and also kind of gross.

“But even with the rooms there’s hardly any privacy, right? You’re practically on top of one another, I’d guess.” MJ was curious, but I still noticed the subtle shift in Hazel’s energy.

There wasn’t a malicious bone in MJ’s body, but I could detect that Hazel wasn’t used to the nosy, direct questioning of my curious little sister.

To make matters worse, my ever-wary brother Abel decided to step in. “You should be mindful of predators. A woman and child traveling solo is a risk.” He’d spent time in prison and couldn’t help his mind from wandering to the worst-case scenario in many situations.

“If you want,” he continued, “the brewery has twenty-four-seven security cameras. It wouldn’t be a problem if you parked there.”

“Or if you need a break from the bus,” his wife Sloane interjected, “there’s a cute little bed-and-breakfast we love—the Wild Iris.”

It was clear we weren’t all in on some inside joke as Abel’s cheeks flamed red and Sloane playfully leaned into him with a giggle.

Lee Sullivan leaned far back in his chair. His eyes sparkled with mischief. “There’s a couple of guys down at the fire station who wouldn’t mind a little security detail. They’re used to overnight hours and would be happy to make sure no one bothered a pretty woman like yourself . . . maybe even show you around town on their days off.”

His eyebrows waggled.

When my eyes narrowed to slits in his direction, he tipped his chin toward me. “Besides, that’s not really your kind of thing, right, boss?”

Royal cackled from his seat at the end of the table. “You’re not wrong. JP was born with a ledger in his hand and a stick up his ass.”

The collective laughter grated on my nerves.

“There’s a reason they called him Johnny Protocol in high school,” Wyatt offered with a chuckle.

“I thought it was Just Perfect?” Lark asked her husband with a frown.

Apparently busting my balls had become a cross-family affair.

“Are we done?” I asked, doing my best to appear unaffected by their playful ribbing. In fact, none of the childish nicknames from high school carried any weight.

I followed protocol because I had to. I tried to be perfect because if I wasn’t, I was met with my father’s disdain.

It became clear early on that the weight of King Equities was mine to bear, and every decision I made was so that they didn’t have to.

I did it to protect my siblings, whether they knew that or not.

I gently slapped my napkin onto the table. “While I’m sure she appreciates your concern, it’s unnecessary. Hazel and Teddy are moving into my house.”

I don’t know why I fucking said it.

Maybe it was the way MJ’s questions were borderline judgy or the subtly resigned tone of Hazel’s answers. Maybe it was the genuine concern in Abel’s voice. Maybe it was the fact that Lee thought horny firefighters camping outside her bus was a good idea.

Whatever it was, I made a decision.

It was done.

“Oh . . . well, that makes sense,” MJ said with a slow, widening grin.

My eyes flicked up to see Hazel pinning me with a death stare from across the table.

Clearly we hadn’t discussed her moving in at all.

Beside me, Teddy perked up. “Move in? Do I get my own room? Can I pick it out? Will there be a bookshelf in it? Can I have a desk to do science projects on?”

My eyes stayed trained on the pie crumbs in front of me. “Yeah, um . . .” I circled my fork as I searched for a plausible answer. “We’ll figure it out.”

Like a shot, Teddy was up from the table and racing across the yard toward Penny and her cousins. “Penny! I’m getting a bigger room!”

I finally grew the balls to glance up at Hazel, who was staring at me with one eyebrow perched higher on her forehead.

She was not pleased.

With a low chuckle, MJ eased herself away from the table, giving us space as the conversation continued without us.

A sheepish smile was all I could muster. “So,” I chuckled. “Want to move in?”