Page 55 of Brandt's Rule

“A little. I actually went to school a few years behind Remi, and before Brandt. Fit right in there sandwiched between.”

“Ah, that explains it. I thought you looked familiar.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Tempest, would you like to join us for a coffee?” Brandt asked.

Tempest looked up at Brandt, then at Janie, then the coffee in her hand. “I already have one.”

“There’s no reason you can’t sit with them and enjoy it, though,” Bailey said forcefully.

“Oh, yeah, sure, I’d be happy to join you,” Tempest said.

“What are you drinking?” Janie asked.

“Caramel Frappe. It’s a frozen coffee drink, and even though it’s cold outside, it’s so good that I just don’t mind.”

“You know what? I’ll have that, too,” Janie said.

“Brandt?” Bailey asked.

“Oh, just the usual,” he said.

“Coming up,” Bailey answered, turning her back to go make their order. “You guys can have a seat, I’ll bring it over.”

“Thank you, Bailey,” Brandt said, calling her by her name for the first time.

“You’re welcome,” she said brightly without turning around.

“Where would you like to sit, Mom?” Brandt asked, letting his mother choose the table.

“Let’s sit near the windows,” Janie answered. “Is that alright?”

“Yes, ma’am, that’s fine,” Tempest said. She followed Janie and Brandt over to a table, and waited for Janie to take a seat before she chose one across from her. Brandt then sat down next to her, so that they both faced his mother.

“So, have you lived here for very long, Tempest?” Janie asked.

“No, ma’am. In fact, I’ve only been here for less than a week.”

“Oh, okay. Do you have family here?” Janie asked.

“No, ma’am. Not exactly. The only person I knew in town before I met Bailey was Maverik.”

“Maverik?! Our Maverik?” Janie asked, looking at Brandt.

“Yeah. She met him when she was a kid.”

“Oh, how interesting!”

“He made a great impression on me as a child. I was thrilled to see that he was excited to see me, too,” Tempest said.

“Maverik makes very strong impressions. Either you love him or hate him. There’s no in between,” Janie said while laughing.

“I can definitely understand that,” Tempest said. “For me, though, I love him dearly.”

“Where are you from?” Janie asked. “Do you have family nearby?”

“I’m from as far south as you can go in Louisiana without getting your toes wet, literally. I don’t have any siblings, but my mother and father and I are very close, as well as my grandparents and my uncle. And I have a large extended family, as well. Lots of honorary uncles and aunts.”

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