Page 10 of Wildfire
"Well, if my son recommends you for the job, then I trust you'll do a good job." She shoots Cole a coded look, and I suddenly see the pattern. This family has their own language.
"You're Cole's mother?"
"I am. Let's walk down to the water, and we'll talk about what I need."
Chapter Six: Renée
Callie talks to me about the boat festival, which is kicking off in a week. She's soft-spoken and smiles at me while she talks, which makes me feel like things might work out.
After a couple of minutes, she calls Cole over her shoulder. "Don't bother sticking around. I can get her squared away."
We spend the afternoon discussing the two wooden boats she's trying to finish and the gazebo she's building for the event. It grows yearly, and someone is getting married on her property this year.
"If you can work under the pressure of these deadlines, it would be a big help."
"Yes. Of course. I can start tomorrow morning."
"Great. Let's go inside and grab a cup of tea."
I already sense that spending time with Callie is like being hugged, and I jump at the chance for tea.
She leads me into a spacious, bright kitchen with wood everywhere—wooden cupboards, counters, a chopping block, and a bar separating it from the dining area. Everything was kept in a natural look. No stains or paint to cover the grain of wood.
"I hear your car broke down on the way into town."
"It did. And your other son Caleb—"
"Oh, he's something, isn't he?"
"He is. Nothing I can't handle. I've got two brothers of my own."
"Well, don't worry your pretty head about your car. It's in good hands. My husband taught him everything he knows, and he is a well-respected mechanic in this county. People used to come from all over to get their cars worked on by him."
"Used to?"
"He's retired. Helping the kids at the high school with a robotics team."
"Wow. That's cool."
"I'll say. They're at a State Championship right now. Caleb bought the business and the building from him when he retired. This was great for everyone because we didn't want to split that up when we die."
My heart lurches in my chest.
"You alright, dear?"
"Yeah. It's just…my mom died when I was young, and then no one talked about it. One day, she was there, and the next day, she was gone. I'm still not…I don't know how to talk about death, I guess."
She reaches over and puts her hand over mine. "We don't have to talk about it, but I'm a good listener if you ever need one."
I swipe at my eyes and nod in response.
She puts the cup of tea in front of me with cream, sugar, and a plate of cookies. "Eat as many as you want. No one can eat them all with my husband out of town."
My chest aches in an unfamiliar way, and I try to mask my confusion. When we finish our tea, she offers to drive me back to Cole's.
"Thank you, but I want to walk. It's pretty out here, and I could use the exercise."
"Alright, dear. Let's start at eight sharp. Bring your tools, but don't bother with lunch. I'll cook us up something to keep us fueled all day."
