Page 58 of Derek

“That’s an easy order to follow, Daddy.” She suited her actions to her words and climbed into bed, carefully shifting Snuggles to his regular spot.

Derek put her on her stomach and massaged all the stress out of her shoulders, neck, and back. She hadn’t realized how tight she was. “Better, precious?”

“Yes, Daddy. Would you turn out the light when you’re done in the bathroom? I think we can skip my story tonight,” she said with sleep already taking her voice.

“Sure, baby.”

Sonja was asleep before the lights were out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Sonja twisted her hands. “Are you sure the pie is enough to take for dinner? Shouldn’t we have flowers or wine or something else?”

“Relax, babygirl. Me showing up with a woman will be present enough for my mother, and she’s the one who counts,” Derek said. “Besides, those sweet potato pies are fabulous.”

“But I didn’t even bake them myself! Suzie did.”

“They don’t have to know that.”

“Well, I would have baked them myself, but Suzie’s piecrusts are so much better than mine.”

“Stop worrying. We’ll conquer my family one by one, if necessary. You’re beautiful, and you’re not a stalker. That already gives you major points over Angie.”

“That’s not a very high bar to set, Derek.” She hit his chest with the back of her hand.

“Come on. We don’t want to be late.” Derek picked up his car keys.

“But you said your family never starts on time? It’s only six now. Doesn’t that mean we don’t have to be there before 6:30?”

“Yes and no. Ordinarily, it would mean anytime between 6:30 and 7:00, but my mother wants to meet you, and weshouldn’t be any later than 6:30, and a little before is better in this case. Let’s get going.” Derek held the door as Sonja picked up the box with the pies.

On the drive over, Derek said, “Sophia hosts since we talked Mother into moving into an apartment three years ago. She’s in good shape, but keeping up with the old house was starting to get to her. Now, she and Sophia carry on an oh-so-polite game of ‘who’s in charge of the party’ whenever we have a family do.”

“Do they speak Greek?”

“Mamá, Sophia, Connie, Maya, and I do, but Mamá and Sophia are the only ones who are likely to do it here. I think Sophia and Connie still speak it at home when they don’t want their kids to understand, but that won’t be an issue today. Mamá and Sophia? I don’t know. I generally put a stop to it if I can. The younger generation doesn’t understand it, and neither does Maya’s husband, Jack.”

They pulled up to a large, well-kept house in Armour Hills, and Sonja looked up in shock. “You didn’t tell me they were rich! Derek, how could you? I would have dressed up more and brought something better than pie!”

“Relax, baby. You look great. The pies are great. They’re not rich. My brother-in-law considered the house a good investment. He’s got a business that supplies restaurants with dishes and silverware and stuff. It’s not a big deal.”

Sonja thought for a moment. “Your brother-in-law, Connie. As in Constantine Dimitriadis?”

“Yes, that’s Connie.” Derek’s voice sounded puzzled. “What’s the big deal?”

“You mean Dimitriadis Restaurant Supplies? That’s who Suzie and I use at the café. I’ve never met the owner. We only deal with the local rep Carol was using them when I started there. I think she knew Mr. Dimitriadis. I had the impression he was fairly old.”

“That was Connie’s father. He retired about five years ago, and he and his wife spend their winters in Greece, or you’d meet them, too. It’s Connie’s business now. Maya works there, too, in the advertising department. See, you’ve already got a connection.”

Derek made it sound like she knew these people. Sonja knew better but decided it wasn’t worth sharing her train of thought. Derek took the box of pies as he helped her out of the car.

“Relax, babygirl. Everything is going to be okay.”

“I hope so.”

As they stood at the door, waiting for someone to answer, Sonja turned around to get a view of the street. A movement by the streetlight on the corner caught her eye. She tried to get a better look, but it was hard to see in the dusk. She nudged Derek. “I thought I saw someone over there under the light at the corner. Can you see anything?”

Derek looked in the direction Sonja indicated and shook his head. “Sorry, babygirl. If there’s anyone there, I can’t see. Are you sure you saw someone?”

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