Page 15 of Reckless Harmony

“Yes. We’ve been noticing a decrease in water pressure for a few weeks now. I brought in a plumber to address the issue, and he said it was a partially closed shut-off valve and a shower head restrictor. He said he’d fixed the problem. Obviously, he was mistaken.”

“Well, I’m happy to take a look and solve the problem,” Rayna said.

“Good. The gym is located behind the main building. Let me grab my jacket and -”

“Hi! You’re a plumber, right?”

Rayna’s shirt was tugged on, and she looked down to see a small dark-haired girl, who couldn’t have been more than six years old, standing beside her.

“I am,” she said, glancing at Hollis. The woman had a strange look on her face, one part annoyance to two parts… shit, was that anxiety? Did the pixie-size girl actually make her nervous?

“That’s so cool,” the little girl said.

“How did you know that?” Rayna asked. She hadn’t brought any of her work tools in with her.

“It says on your shirt.” The little girl stared at the embroidered patch on Rayna’s shirt. “Sneaky Leaks Plumbing. That’s a funny name.”

“Aren’t you a little young to work here?” Rayna grinned at the girl.

She giggled and took Rayna’s hand, hanging off of it as she swung her small body back and forth with enthusiasm. “I don’t work here, silly. My daddy works here. I’m only here because I have a dentist’s appointment in half an hour, but he had to stop by the office because he forgot something. He always forgets things. He has a very chaotic and disorganized personality, but he means well.”

Rayna blinked in surprise. “You know a lot of big words for a six-year-old.”

“I’m seven!” the little girl said indignantly. “My Aunt Nora says I’m probably a genius, but Daddy won’t get me tested because he wants me to have a normal childhood without any pressure to live up to certain expectations. Hey, what’s your name?”

“I’m Rayna,” Rayna said.

“I’m Eva,” she said.

“Nice to meet you.”

“You too. Do you like being a plumber?”

“I do,” Rayna said.

“I’m going to be a race car driver when I grow up. Or a doctor. Or maybe an accountant like Daddy. I’m not sure yet. I might be a mechanic like my Uncle Shepherd. I’m gonna have a fast car when I grow up. My favourite car is the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. What’s your favourite car?”

“Oh, um… I…”

Before Rayna could think of an answer, Eva turned her attention to Hollis. “Hi, Hollis.”

“Hello, Eva.” Hollis gave the little girl a stiff smile.

“I like your hair today. Do you ever braid it? My daddy braids my hair, and he knows how to do French braids and Dutch braids because Emma taught him how to do Dutch braids,” Eva said.

She let go of Rayna’s hand and ran her hand over Hollis’s suit jacket. “I like your suit, too.”

Looking visibly uncomfortable, Hollis stepped back. Eva grimaced. “Sorry, I shouldn’t touch you.”

She turned back to Rayna. “Daddy says I shouldn’t bother Hollis when I’m here because she isn’t a person who enjoys being around little kids, and also, I like to give hugs and be touchy-feely like my Aunt Nora, and Hollis hates that. She doesn’t like hugs. Do you like hugs, Rayna?”

“Yeah, I like -”

“Eva! Hey, I asked you to come straight back to my office when you were finished in the bathroom.” A dark-haired man with blue eyes and a killer body scooped Eva into his arms.

“Sorry, Daddy,” Eva said cheerfully. “I was distracted by Rayna. She’s a plumber.”

The man smiled at her. “Hi. I know you.”

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