Page 92 of Embers in Our Souls
River nods and I can see he’s nervous where this conversation is headed.
Kennedy doesn’t drive; her parents died when she was a child in a car accident. She survived the accident and since then, she’s avoided learning. She’s made it her mission recently to try, so Abby has been taking her out to learn when possible.
“Well, today, when I went down to your truck, the oil was low. So, I filled it up.” She shrugs her shoulders.
“Skipper, please tell me you’re kidding.” River’s face falls and I think he might pass out.
“What? And let your precious truck run the risk of getting ruined? Not on my watch. I filled it up for you with premium oil. You’re welcome!” She turns around and moves some of the napkins around.
River rubs his hand down his face and looks up at the ceiling; it sounds like he’s counting down under his breath. “Kennedy, for the love of all that’s holy. Please tell me you’re pulling my leg.”
Abby chimes in, “River, I helped her out. I made sure she used the pure olive oil. It was the imported kind.”
“Abigail!” Clay says. “You didn’t!”
Kennedy moves to the trash and grabs an empty container. It’s a mega-sized olive oil container and she shows River. “Look, there’s nothing to worry about. I only use the best for you. The car’s running fine!”
“You drove it?” He pulls on his hair.
“This is fucking fantastic!” Marissa snorts. “See, Josie? I told you this was worth coming to.” She grabs a carrot from the tray and takes a bite.
Ashton and his wife Samara walk in, and immediately Sam asks, “What did we miss?”
“Kennedy fucked up my car!” River throws his arms in the air.
I look over at Indy and she’s watching in fascination. It’s comical really. I’m leaning against the counter, as this whole thing transpires in front of us. I pull Indy into my side and kiss the side of her face.
“We were just saving you a trip to the shop, Riv,” Abby says. “I think ‘thank you’ is what you’re meaning to say.” She crosses her arms.
“I’msosorry,” he says in mock surrender. “Thank you, soon-to-be-sister-in-law-again”—He looks at Abby. Then turns hisgaze to Kennedy— “and my adoring future wife, you saved me so much time. But in reality, I think I’ll need a new engine!”
He looks over at Clay and groans in frustration. Meanwhile, Kennedy and Abby look nothing but gleeful. Their grins are only getting bigger and that’s when I realize this is all a joke for them.
When River looks at them, his irritation doubles. “Why the fuck are you smiling, Kennedy?”
“Because you’re so easy to rile up, baby.” She laughs.
“Excuse me?”
“We’re fucking with you.” She throws her head back and laughs maniacally. “It’s a trend on social media. Of course we didn’t put olive oil in your damn car.”
“I fucking swear, Kennedy.” He points at her. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.” He pinches the spot between his eyes.
“Oh please, you’re usually the one exhausting me. I may as well return the favor.” Kennedy walks up to him and kisses his cheek. “I love you.”
“Yeah, yeah. I love you too.” He wraps his arms around her middle, then kisses her nose. “You really fucking scared the shit out of me.”
“I know. I enjoyed it,” she admits, a smile spreading across her face.
“A little too much, I see,” he says.
Indy moves closer to me and whispers, “Is it always like this?”
I look over at her. “Wherever River is, chaos follows.” I wink and pull her closer.
We finish helping with the rest of the set-up, and soon we get word that Malloy and Baylee have arrived. Everyone quiets down and the moment Malloy walks through the front door; we jump out to surprise him. The look on his face is priceless. The stunned expression on his face is one I may never forget.It’s hard to catch him off-guard, but I think Kennedy and Abby really got him good with this party.
“You owe me twenty, Hunter.” River sidles up to me.
