Fearless - Fern Michaels Page 0,50
She didn’t understand why she felt so defensive, other than that she suspected Ryan might be a bit hard on his kids. She would see how the barbecue went tomorrow. For her, this was a test. If Ryan’s mouth let loose, she would tell him they needed to sit down and discuss this habit of his. It was another slight problem, that she had recently learned needed attention, that was concerning her. She wanted to see how he interacted with Christina and his kids together, plus Mandy, Jeb, and Mona. If there was even a hint of his implying he was better than they were, something she’d picked up on a few times when she spoke of Mona and Jeb, she would seriously consider ending their relationship. Maybe. Regardless of that, the slight problem she had required both of their attention or there could be issues down the road. How did I get myself into such a mess?
Though she wasn’t one hundred percent sure, she wasn’t naïve. Having these suspicions should be a deal breaker. But she would give them all a chance to get to know one another, then make her decision accordingly.
“Deep thoughts?” Mandy asked, dumping the freshly shucked corn in a large bowl.
“I never have deep thoughts,” Anna said, forcing a laugh. “My only deep thoughts consist of food and grocery lists.”
“I know from personal knowledge that your grocery bills dig deep into your bank account.”
“True, but that’s part of the job, so I’ll let my accountant worry about it,” Anna quipped, finishing her spice mix and focusing her attention on the slabs of ribs. She smeared her dry rub across them on both sides, then took the baking sheets and placed them inside the refrigerator. “Remind me to set those out a couple of hours before putting them on the grill. They’ll cook evenly when they start at room temperature.”
“You’re not filming,” Mandy said.
“Habit. Just tune me out.”
“Yep, it’s what I always do,” Mona said from her place at the bar. “Tune ya out. I wait to watch ya on the show each week. Me and Jeb have supper every Tuesday night in front of that smart TV you gave us for Christmas. I don’t get why it’s smart, ’cause I can’t figure how to turn the darned channel. Jeb’s good for it, though.”
“I’ll give you a lesson anytime. Just say the word,” Mandy said.
“Nah, gives Jeb somethin’ to do. Makes him feel smarter than me, and the TV.”
“Men and their TVs,” Anna said. She’d bought them a smart TV because they couldn’t figure how to watch her YouTube channel on their computer, a desktop which was so old, it was a miracle they could log on to the Internet. She planned to get both new laptops for Christmas this year. Mandy could give them a crash course in how they operated.
“I wouldn’t know, being single and all,” Mandy tossed in. She’d broken off with Eric.
“You ain’t got to be in no hurry to get unsingle. Someone’ll find you when you’re ready. Matter of fact, enjoy being alone for a while longer, ’cause I guarantee, when you do tie the knot, you ain’t gonna get no TV time unless you beg. When Jeb ain’t a-workin’, that TV blares like a battle cry. He’s addicted to that show about dead people that walk. Dumbest stuff I’ve ever heard of,” Mona said.
“I know that show, and agree, it’s a stretch of the imagination,” Anna said. “Christina and Tiffany watch it. It’s probably not very age-appropriate, but I can’t control everything she does.”
“She’s knows it’s not real. Anyone with a brain does,” Mandy said.
“Then that leaves Jeb out,” Mona said.
Anna burst out laughing. “You’re so mean!”
“Nope, it’s the truth. He thinks that stuff happens or it’s gonna happen, not sure which, but you can’t tell him it’s malarkey. He’ll argue with ya till the cows come home.”
When Mona was on a roll, and had an audience, she was as entertaining as any stand-up comedian.
“Did I hear my name?” Jeb himself stood in the mudroom entry leading to the kitchen. He was a true Texan. He wore blue Levi’s, one of his many Stetson hats, a pale blue, short-sleeved western shirt with snaps in place of buttons, and a worn leather belt, with a silver buckle in the shape of Texas with a brass star in the middle. A full head of white hair showed when he removed his hat, and the hatband had left a deep dent around his