Page 19 of Rainbow Kisses

“Hmm, so, not a teenager. She noisy?”

“No, ma’am. Not really.”

“She’s not old enough to stay alone, and I’m no babysitter.”

Beside me, I saw Rain look up toward the sky.

“I’ll be here most days after school.” I planned to be, anyway. “We’ve already got a plan for her to stay with Miss Raffi when I’m gone for games.”

“Where’s her mom?”

My tongue got stuck on that one because I hadn’t planned to tell many people what was going on with my sister. I’d known there’d be questions, but Mrs. Travers’s blunt question took me back a step. Still, I didn’t want to lie.

“Treatment center. For alcohol.”

I didn’t know what I expected her to say or do, but I braced for whatever. Despite my size and my personae on the ice as an enforcer, I really didn’t like confrontation. That didn’t mean I was a pushover. I just didn’t want to have to deal with other people’s attitudes.

Mrs. Travers stared at me for a few more seconds, like she was ticking off pros and cons.

Finally, she said, “Son’s got issues with that. Been in and out of rehab a few times. Seems to be on the right path now.” She shot Rain a look, who didn’t look surprised. “No telling tales out of school, little girl.”

Rain nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” Then she shrugged. “I like Jimmy. He’s sweet.”

Mrs. Travers huffed. “Yeah, he is that.” She turned back to me. “Well, it’s ready to move in today, if you want. I’ll open the windows and give it some air. Been closed up for a few weeks. I’ll throw the bedding and towels in for a wash too.”

I released a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. Guess I’d passed the test. “Thank you. We’ll be over after I pick up Maddy from school. And you don’t have to worry about the towels and stuff. We can do that tonight.”

“I ain’t got nothing to do today anyway.”

My lips parted to protest again, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rain widen her eyes and shake her head just once. I shut my mouth.

Mrs. Travers had already turned to shuffle back to her home, now leaning heavily on her cane. Part of me wanted to offer my arm for her to hold as she walked, but she’d probably bite my head off if I did.

“I expect to hear from the team about rent today,” she said before disappearing back into the house.

“Yes,” Rain said. “I’ll get payment set,” the door slammed behind Mrs. Travers, “up.”

Okay, I guessed we had a place to stay.

I looked at Rain, who looked at me like I might take off screaming. She should know me better than that. I don’t run. Although my past performance with her and Mo might suggest otherwise.

“Well, that went better than I thought it would.” She gave me a thumbs-up and a bright smile that made me want to smile back. “I think she likes you.”

That got a chuckle out of me, and I nodded my head toward my truck. I didn’t say anything until we were back in the cab and pulling away. I didn’t want my new landlady to accidentally hear something she didn’t like and kick us out.

“Oh my god,” Rain said, “I just realized you never went inside. We can go back?—”

“If you say it’s good, I’m sure it’ll be fine for us. I trust your judgment. Besides, we don’t have a lot of options, and this one is pretty perfect location-wise. It’ll be fine. Back to the arena now?”

She nodded, still watching me like she expected me to do something. “You’re going to be early for practice.”

“Haven’t been on the ice for a few months. I figure I can use the extra time.”

A slight pause, but I could practically hear her brain clicking over her thoughts.

“Did you miss it? Playing, I mean.”

She didn’t need to explain her question. I knew what she meant.

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