Page 21 of Healed
Daisy got out of the jeep, slung her purse on her shoulder and hurried around to get Carson out. She opened the door and reached for him.
“I can do it,” he said.
Daisy stood back and allowed him to jump out of her jeep. Once he landed, he looked up and offered her a slight smile.
“Better than I can jump,” she said, stretching to get his back pack out of the jeep. She took his hand in hers and led him toward the house.
A minute later Daisy was opening the front door and leading him inside. “I’m home!” she called out.
“I thought I heard you pull in,” Janie answered from the kitchen.
Footsteps let them know someone was coming toward them, until Bane stepped into view. “I made ribs! Been smoking them all day,” he said. The minute he saw Carson he smiled warmly. “Well, hello. Who are you?”
“I’m Carson.”
“Hello, Carson. Welcome to our home.”
“My dad was late.”
“Oh, I see. Well, sometimes it can’t be helped.”
“Who are you talking to?” Janie asked, coming out of the kitchen to see who besides Daisy had arrived.
“This is Carson. He’s my best student,” Daisy said. “He’s going to hang out with us for a little while until his dad gets here. He got caught up in a meeting at work.”
“Are you hungry, Carson?” Janie asked.
“I don’t know. I never had ribs.”
“My dad’s ribs are the best. He cooks them all day long and they’re so tender and smoky,” Daisy said. “And I didn’t even introduce you, did I? This is my dad, Mr. Bane. And this is my mom, Mrs. Janie.”
Carson nodded and smiled a little, mainly trying not to look anyone in the eye.
“We’ve also got macaroni and cheese, with lots and lots of cheese, and some corn on the cob.”
“I like macaroni and cheese,” Carson said.
“I’ll show you where the bathroom is so you can wash up and then we’ll have dinner. Is that alright?” Janie asked, slipping into grandmother mode so easily it was almost scary.
“I guess so,” Carson said, casting a quick questioning glance up at Daisy.
“I’ll be right in there, through that door waiting on you,” Daisy said.
Carson nodded, then shoved his hands in his little pockets and fell into step right behind Janie.
Bane watched Janie and Carson, then turned to look at Daisy. “That’s the little boy we met at the grand opening, right? The one you talk about.”
“Yes. He’s such a sweet kid. And so talented. I wish I had an ounce of his natural ability.”
“He seems like a nice boy.”
“He’s not really good with strangers and new situations. I’m surprised he’s even talking to you and Mom.”
“He knows we’re good people. Kids can sense that.”
“I suppose,” Daisy said, putting Carson’s backpack on the sofa before following her dad into the kitchen to get a look at dinner. “It smells so good, Dad.”
“It’s a good batch,” Bane said, pinching a piece off of one of the ribs to give her a taste.
