Page 60 of The Drummer's Heart

Kenzie turned to me. “This is a dream come true. When is the tour?”

“Early next year. I can send you all the dates once I confirm them with Doug. Can you swing it, though, if you’re already committed to weddings?”

“I’ll figure that out. I work under a larger company with a group of photographers, so I’m sure with enough notice they can help me get coverage.” Her eyes sparkled. “Are you serious about this, Uncle Atticus?”

“I am. The only thing is, I might have to kill someone if they mess with you. The crew can be pretty rowdy. That whole scene is nothing to play with. So you have to promise me you won’t get into trouble.”

“I survived just fine,” Kieran told her. “I’m sure you will, too.”

I took a bite of chicken. “I’ll tell Doug we talked, and I’ll have him get in touch with you.”

She nodded. “You have no idea how much this means to me.”

Her look of joy made my heart happy. I loved being able to afford my niece this kind of opportunity, though I hoped I didn’t regret it.

***

I stayed at Tina’s pretty late, chatting with the kids. When I returned to Mimi’s house, it was quiet. I peeked in on Mimi, and given the time, I assumed Nicole might also be sleeping.

When I opened the door to the bedroom, I found her in bed as expected. But she wasn’t asleep.

She turned to face me. “Hi,” she said groggily.

“Did I wake you?”

“No. I was having trouble sleeping. How was your visit?”

“It was great. I love those kids, even if they’re not really kids anymore.”

“Yeah, it’s funny to think there’s only ten years between you and the twins,” she said. “It doesn’t seem like as big of a difference as it used to, now that they’re in their twenties.”

“How was Mimi after I left?”

“She cried a little more. I wish I knew what to do to make it easier.”

“You’re doing everything you can by being here,” I assured her.

“That’s true.”

“Is your mom coming at all?” I asked.

She shook her head. “I haven’t told my mother about Louise yet. I want to see if we can find someone so she doesn’t feel obligated to come back. After everything she went through with my dad, I just want her to be happy. And her fiancé, Joe, makes her happy.”

“Earlier, I spoke with this staffing agency Tina told me about,” I said. “Filled them in on Mimi’s needs. They’re working on finding us a permanent home-health aide.”

“That’s amazing. Thank you.”

I knew I’d be able to find help for Mimi, and soon, because I’d be willing to pay more than they were used to getting. Money talks. But that left me anxious about leaving Nicole. Julian would be waiting with open arms back in New York while I was forced to return to L.A.

“Is that why you were having trouble sleeping?” I asked. “You were worried about the Mimi situation?”

“Partly. But also, my stomach is upset for some reason.”

“What, did you eat some bad seafood or something?” I winked.

Her mouth curved into a smile. She knew exactly what I was referencing. Bad seafood was a running joke from our past.

“Not this time,” she said.

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