Page 79 of Spindrift

“No,I mean you really like her.”

“Fuckoff.”

Stevierecoiled, but Morgan didn’t care. She was tired of her friends’ repeatedattempts to push her toward Emilia. She didn’t need pushing. She neededrestraints, because falling for Emilia Russo had one possible outcome, andshe’d only just recovered—barely—from the last time she’d had her heart broken.

Steviedidn’t speak to her as she finished up her exam. Morgan left her with the horseand strode up to the house to say hello to her father—and to put out the dumpsterfire her idiotic best friend had started.

“Overhere,” her father said when she entered the sunroom of her childhood home. Hesat at the table surrounded by fly fishing lures, wires, and bits of feathers,string, and shiny beads. “Look at this.”

Alife size dragonfly perched on wire legs on the table, spreading gossamerwings.

“That’sbeautiful,” she told her beaming father.

“When’syour boss going to hire a relief vet so we can go fishing?”

“Notsoon enough.” She collapsed into a chair.

“Wantsome tea?” her mother called from the kitchen.

“Sure,Ma.”

“Steviethere?”

“No.”

“Yourmother says Ray’s daughter is in town. Is she selling that house?”

“Probably.”She explained Emilia’s situation as best she could.

“I’mglad you’ve found time to make a new friend,” her mother said as she set a mugof tea in front of Morgan and another by her husband. Morgan took note of theemphasis her mother put on the wordfriend.

“Stevie’sfull of shit, Ma. She’s just a friend.”

“Whatdid Stevie say?” asked her father.

“Nothing,Dad.”

“Noone ever tells me anything,” he said to his dragonfly.

“Hushyour whining. I tell you everything you need to know,” said Shannon.

“Accordingto you.” He winked at Morgan.

“Itold Morgan to invite Ray’s daughter here for dinner, and she got defensive.”

“Embarrassedof your folks?”

“No,Dad. I just don’t think overwhelming people is the best way to support themwhen they’re already dealing with a lot.”

“We’renot overwhelming; we’re hospitable,” said Shannon.

“Fine.I’ll ask her.”

“Bringthe rest of your crew if you want.”

“Andtell Lillian I need some new tomato starts,” her father said. “Damngroundhogs.”

“Sure.”She felt her mother’s worried eyes on her. “What, Ma?”

---