so over the last year, they’d done some construction.
He asked, “Can I help out somewhere?”
“Everybody pitched in to bring the meal. So, no, not much left. Go on into the family room.”
Derek said to Alessia, “I guess it’s time.”
The family, except the kids, were present. Seth sat on the floor, where he played with his new dog, Judge, and Julianne lounged back in the chair he leaned against. Mama and Judd took one of the sofas, Rafe and Gideon sat at a small table in the corner, putting together a puzzle. “Hi, everyone.”
Heads turned. Mama smiled from the couch, and the three guys got up and approached them. Rafe’s expression was pleasant, Gideon clapped Derek on the back, and Seth, always the baby, asked if Derek wanted to pet his puppy.
Gideon held up the beer bottle. “Want one, Derek?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Ali?”
“Yep.”
The small talk went well. Derek joined the brothers at the jigsaw table, and eventually, Mama and Judd went out to the patio overlooking the pool.
At one, Pete came into the house with his head hanging. She slid her arm around him, and he let her. “I didn’t tell them what happened. I may still. But all they know now is you’re grounded. They won’t ask you about it.”
He said hello to those left in the kitchen and family room, then went to find Cory.
Two bullets dodged, Alessia thought. Derek and Pete. She hoped to enjoy the rest of the day.
* * *
Right before dinner, the doorbell rang again. Julianne left the family room, saying, “I’ll get it.”
Gideon asked, “Are we expecting somebody else?”
Kate said simply, “Yes, Jules asked a friend to come.”
Uh-oh. He stood immediately and followed Julianne to the foyer. He arrived at the door just in time to see his sister-in-law hug Anabelle Sanders. When they drew back, Gideon crossed his arms over his chest. “Jules, is it okay if I have a minute with Anabelle before you bring her in?”
Julianne said, “Anabelle?”
“Sure.” When she left, Anabelle faced him. Today she wore a skirt. He’d seen her in that dress at the wedding a week ago, had taken it off her, but never in a skirt. Made of beige, knit material, the hem hit her calves, where it swirled a bit. Brown boots peeked out from beneath. On top she wore a black tight shirt, of the material of Carina’s dance leotards, and over it, a fringed vest. “Do I pass?” she asked saucily.
“I haven’t seen you since the wedding, well, after the wedding.” He couldn’t help the small smile he gave her.
“You could have texted.”
“I could say the same to you.”
“Are you happy or angry I’m here?”
“I don’t know,” he said frowning. “You?”
“I wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t glad for the invite.”
“Then I’ll be glad, too. Come back out.”
She tugged his arm as he started away. “Wait a sec.”
He turned.
“I don’t regret our time together.”
“Neither do I. But we both agreed it was a one-shot deal.”
Her head cocked, she quipped, “Actually, it was more than one…um, shot.”
His eyes burned. “I remember.” He cleared his throat. “We also said we wouldn’t talk about it.”
“My bad. But I just wanted you to know.”
“Okay. And, I don’t regret it either.”
* * *
Dinner was in full swing and everybody was in a good mood. But it was interrupted by a loud screech of tires, then a horrific crunch that shook the house. Everybody popped up and strode to various windows to see what happened.
Rafe said, “A car just crashed into our tree in the front yard right by the curb.”
“Holy hell,” Gid said.
Without more comments, Rafe, Gideon, Anabelle and Derek raced to the door. When Kate started to follow them, Rafe turned to her. “What are you doing, honey? You can’t come out here. Call 911.”
The four of them jogged over the hard ground to the accident. Smoke billowed out of the engine, and Derek saw gas dripping out of the tank. The smell of burnt tires and smoking metal surrounded them.
Rafe said, “Let me assess this before we do anything.”
Three of them waited silently as Rafe did his Captain thing. In just a minute or so, Rafe said, “We can’t wait for the fire department to get here and the vehicle looks stable. The two kids inside are unconscious. And that engine could blow at any minute.”
Gideon nodded. “Tell us what to do.”
“You and Anabelle try the passenger side door. Derek, do you have any training?”
“I’m an EMT. I’ve worked on crashes before.”
“You and I will help the boy.”
When