Page 67 of Sawyer
The herd of Musketiaras stumbled to her, wrapping her in hugs. “I can’t get a tattoo!” she said.
“Why not?”
“Is it Sawyer. He has tattoos.”
“You can get one if you want one.”
Everyone spoke at once, so Lele chose the comment she wanted. Shaking her head, she said, “I can’t cause I’m not a Musketiara.”
“What? You are too! I have your crown and everything. Hold on, I’ll get it.” Georgia rushed, to the best of her abilities, behind the counter and started pulling everything out. “I can’t find it. I know I have it, but I must have left it at home. I know!” She teetered back to Lele’s side. Taking the crown from her head, she placed it on Lele’s. “You wear mine. I…we can swap back once we’re home in Arcadian Hills.”
Lele tapped the tiara on her head. “Wow! That’s so sweet. You’re so sweet. I never knew anyone who was as nice as you!”
The doorbell jingled, and everyone turned and stared as a man walked in. Everyone except Lele. She headed to the counter to look for a mirror in her purse.
Georgia spoke up. “Um, escuse me, but w-we are closed today. Hey, ho-how’d you get in, anyway?”
The man hooked a thumb back to the door. “It wasn’t locked.”
In the loudest whisper Lele had ever heard, Winnie said, “Stranger danger. We-we should yell stranger danger.”
Lele turned to see the stranger in the room and squealed with glee. Racing… okay, she might be stumbling too. But that was okay because she was a Musketiara now… tottering to the door, she waved back her friends. “That’s no stranger. Silly peoples. That’s my brother, Hector! He loves me, and he came to see me. Hi, Hector! Thanks for dropping by. Um, how did you even know I was here?”
Glancing at her friends, Hector smiled, but it seemed forced. Maybe he needed some boozy treats. “I didn’t. This is the eighth place I’ve stopped this morning.” Turning back to her, he lost his smile. “You left without saying goodbye. I’ve been worried about you. Can we go for a ride and talk? Just a short one. I’ll bring you right back.”
“Oh, you’ve been worried? I’m soooo sorry about that. You guys, Hector was worried about me. Can you believe that? He’s the best.”
“Have you been drinking? It’s eleven thirty in the fucking morning. I knew this Saul guy was going to be a bad influence on you. Did he bring you back here?”
“Nnnope! Saul is fake. Sawyer is real.”
He grabbed her arm and jerked her back to face him. “Owie, Hector, you’re hurting my arm.”
“I need to talk to you. Let’s go for a ride. We don’t need an audience.”
“Sorry, no can do. I’m supposed to stay right here until my Daddy gets done with his meeting.”
“Your Daddy? Are you crazy? Lele, your Daddy is dead.”
That reminder killed her buzz. Snuffed it out like a candle. She tried to yank her arm free, but he wouldn’t let go. “Not my father, my—you know what, never mind. I’m not supposed to leave.”
“Lele, for god’s sake! I’m your brother. He won’t care if you go on a short ride with me. It’s not like you don’t know me.”
Guilt hit her. He was right. He’d always been there for her. She’d always depended on him. There couldn’t be any harm in taking a ride so she could explain everything that had happened. “Okay, Hector. But I can’t be gone long.” Turning to her friends,she waved. “I’m going to take a ride with my brother. I’ll be back soon.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t go, sweetie,” Lovie called to her.
Lele waved back, smiling. “I won’t be gone long enough for anyone to miss me.”
Pulling her out of the shop, he smirked at her, “That was a waste of words, sis. No one is going to miss you.”
CHAPTER 24
Sawyer was just finishing up going through his notes with everyone. It had taken longer than he’d wanted, but they’d come up with a plan. If it worked, Lele’s stepbrother was going away for a very long time. Someone tapped on the door, a soft, tentative knock.
Hutch opened the door and started to say, “Hey, Peaches. How’s the candy making… Georgia? Babygirl, what’s wrong?”
Sawyer’s heart dropped at the tone of Georgia’s voice. It fell even further at Georgia’s tearful voice. “Daddy… I think something may have happened to Lele.”
