Page 34 of Sweet Somethings

Moving inside, she perused the desk which was stacked high with mail: flyers, catalogs, fundraising requests, and what appeared to be bills with second and third notice stamped on the front of the envelopes. She frowned at those.

Why wasn't Donna paying her bills?

Was she just lazy or did she not have the money?

That question was still going around in her head when she returned to the entry. Roman gave her a relieved look while Donna was laughing about some story she'd just told. Cameron was sitting on the stairs, working his way through the container of cookies, and Donna didn't seem to be paying any attention.

"Save some for your grandmother," she told Cameron with a smile.

Guilt filled his eyes as he set a half-eaten cookie back in the container.

"Oh, that's all right. He's a growing boy," Donna said, waving her hand. "You go ahead and finish that, Cameron."

"Is the cookie really magic?" Cameron asked her.

"Some people think so," she replied.

"Why?" he asked.

"Good question," Roman muttered.

She ignored him and focused on Cameron. "The cookies are made with a special kind of sugar that comes from the sap of a coconut tree. I can only get it at this time of year, and because it's so special, it gives the person eating the cookie a little bit of magic."

Cameron's eyes widened. "So whatever I wish for will come true?"

"Not all wishes come true, but some do."

"I want mine to come true." There was suddenly a serious and purposeful look in his eyes, and Juliette wondered what he was wishing so hard for.

She looked at Donna. "I hope you don't mind my asking, but I was wondering where Cameron's parents are. Do they live here, too?"

"My son, Travis, brought Cameron to live here two months ago, but he had to tie up some loose ends in New Orleans before he could make the move himself. He's actually coming home today; he should be here soon. Cameron's mother isn't around," she added, a tart note in her voice.

So Cameron's dad was coming back to help his mom take care of Cameron.That sounded good. She felt immensely relieved, because she didn't think Donna was capable of being the sole caregiver. "I'm glad you'll have help with Cameron."

"Oh, he's such a sweet boy; he doesn't need much," Donna said. "Thank you again for the cookies; it was very thoughtful. I'll have to stop in at your bakery sometime."

"I hope you will."

A door slammed somewhere in the back of the house, followed by heavy footsteps. A man came down the hall a moment later. He was short and stocky, with a muscular build. His clothes looked worn and like they hadn't seen a washer in a while. His face was covered with a scruffy beard. His eyes were weary and red, and a new uneasiness ran down her spine.

"Daddy," Cameron squealed. He got up and ran to his dad, throwing his arms around his father's waist. "I didn't think you were ever coming back."

"I told you I was," the man murmured.

"Travis, I was just talking about you," Donna said. "This is Juliette and Roman."

Travis's gaze swung first to her, then to Roman. His face paled. "You?" he asked, giving Roman a hard stare. "What the hell are you doing here? I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

"Likewise," Roman said, a clipped tone in his voice.

"What's going on?" Donna asked in confusion and concern. "You two know each other?"

"Of course we know each other," Travis said to his mother. "This is Roman. The kid from the park, the one who started the fire… Don't you remember?"

"Oh." Donna looked taken aback. "I—I didn't realize. I didn't recall the name. I should have. I didn't."

"Get the hell out of my house," Travis said.

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