Page 58 of Lovingly Restored

I stifle my nervous, giddy laughter. I’m so screwed. “Fine. Let’s get out of here.”

“I can’t!” He gestures to his raging boner.

“I’ll go first. Put all that away.”

I exit the pantry with my game face on, mere seconds before Mr. Lauri enters the kitchen, guiding his mother.

“How was your grocery shopping?” he asks.

“Good. Good. A bit of a zoo.”

My cheeks are hot, so I busy myself around the kitchen.

“How was your appointment?” I smile at Mummo, wiggling my fingers in our usual greeting.

“Well–” she starts.

Mr. Lauri interrupts her. “Fine, just fine. It was afamilymatter.”

I press my lips together. The way he cuts her off sometimes makes my whole body tense.

Isaac steps out of the pantry, and I’ve never witnessed a father so thoroughly displeased to see his child. Mummo beams, as she always does in the presence of her grandson. He’s composed himself, no sign of any obscene bulges. Yes, I looked.

“What’s this about an appointment? Where were you dragged off to today, Mummo?” Isaac leans down to kiss her on the cheek.

“I said it’s a family matter,” Mr. Lauri snaps.

Isaac takes a breath. “It’s a good thing I’m family then,” he says.

“I take it the ramp out front is your doing?”

My eyes dart between them as they talk. It’s the first time I’ve seen them interact. The tension is thick.

“Did you recognize my top-notch craftsmanship?”

Mr. Lauri scoffs. “Who paid for it?”

Isaac’s fists clench at his sides, and I’m starting to think about stepping between them.

“Now that’s enough.”

All three of us turn toward Mummo. Her interjection does the work for me, Isaac’s posture relaxing right away at the sound of his grandmother’s voice. Satisfied with the result, she settles into her regular dining chair and begins leafing through her May edition of Home and Garden Magazine.

His father can’t leave it alone though. “It’s the middle of the day. Don’t you have somewhere to be doing yourtop-notchwork?“ His voice drips with sarcasm.

Isaac offers a winning smile, white teeth on display. “Fixing some wobbly shelving in there for Ashlyn.”

“Shirtless?”

I turn to hide my smile. Isaac goes to the sink to pour glasses of water for himself and Mummo.

“That’s so helpful. I’m glad my son is handy,” Mr. Lauri says.

What? Is it a character flaw to be talented with your hands? I can attest that it isn’t. I’m sort of sick of seeing this grown man bully his son.

“He did a really solid job in there.”

Isaac chokes his water, spluttering and sending me a ‘stop that’ death glare.

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