Page 65 of Deviant

“Ah, I should have known this feast wasn’t for my benefit. You should have dinner with us more often, Nora.” He winks at her.

“I really should,” she says, grinning widely as she wipes her plate clean with a piece of garlic bread.

“Don’t get used to it.” I point a finger at my dad. “Tomorrow, we’re back to steamed vegetables and grilled chicken breasts.”

“Hmm. And here I thought tomorrow was leftovers day.” My dad pouts. “That’s if Nora is kind enough to leave me the last slice.”

She stares at the pan and then back at my dad.

“Fine. But you owe me one, Hank. If I or any of my brothers get in trouble with the law, that slice of lasagna is our get-out-of-jail-free card.”

My dad laughs at her sass.

“Doubt you or Aidan would need such a thing. Elias, on the other hand…“

“Nah,” Nora laughs, shaking her head. “When it comes to the three of us, Elias should be the last on your list of your concerns. He’s just got a bad rep, that’s all. Believe me, you don’t have to worry about him.”

“I surely hope not,” my dad says, curiously glancing over at me.

My forehead wrinkles in confusion about why my dad would look at me when Elias’s name was mentioned. I have half a mind to ask him, but then think better of it as he gets up from his seat and grabs his sheriff’s blazer.

“After that delicious meal, I’d rather take a nap than have to go to work, but bills need to get paid.”

“That and Joe will need a place to crash for the night,” I say in jest.

“That, too.” He laughs. “We can’t have Joe sleeping out in the cold, now can we?”

“What Joe needs is a good kick in the butt. Don’t underestimate him. He’s smarter than he pretends to be,” Nora says assuredly with a scowl.

“What do you mean?” I ask curiously.

“Let’s just say I would put good money on the fact that he’ll never touch a drop of alcohol again once he’s turned twenty-eight.”

“I’ll take that action,” my dad interjects.

“A hundred bucks?” Nora cocks a mischievous brow.

“You got yourself a bet,” my dad says, holding his hand out for Nora.

“Easy money,” Nora says, shaking his hand.

“That’s what you think, kid. There’s nothing easy about it. Getting sober isn’t for everyone, and I’ve seen Joe wasted too many times on questionable moonshine to believe he’ll be giving up his hooch any time soon.”

“How old is Joe anyway?” I ask since I always thought he was already in his early thirties.

“He turns twenty-eight next year. Just a month or so after the next Harvest Festival.”

“You certainly know a lot about Joe. Should I assume that you might have a little crush on him?”

“Please,” Nora rolls her eyes at my dad. “I just pay attention, sheriff. Like your job demands you to do. Or are you getting rusty in your old age?”

That statement would have angered my father if it had come from anyone else. However, since it came from Nora, it only serves to amuse him, as confirmed by the broad smile now plastered all over his face.

Nora is like a second daughter to him, and in his eyes, she can do no wrong. I used to feel the same way until she started this whole nonsense about needing to be selected for The Scourge.

“You know, now that you girls have graduated from school, you’ll need to find jobs. Ever think of becoming a deputy, Nora?”

“It’s crossed my mind a time or two,” she replies, her light blue eyes suddenly sparkling with life.

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