Page 18 of Never Quiet

Chapter Four

December 2013 – April 2014 (Age 15)

When school let out for winter break, Bill picked Mandy up to spend a week in the city with them. Her parents were following the next day with their entourage. Noel and Rick were returning after almost two months away and she couldn’t wait to see them.

She sang along to classic rock with Bill and he tapped on the steering wheel in time with the music. About ten minutes from the loft, he asked, “Should we get ice cream or no?”

“Listen. No matter what, no matter when, the answer to ice cream is always yes, Pops.”

He grinned. “I can’t believe Noel has you calling me that.”

“I love it.” With a small shrug, she added, “I never thought I’d have one. You’re a great one to have.”

“I really appreciate that, Mandy.” He cleared his throat as he parked in front of the ice cream place. “I want to ask you something. I-I’m too embarrassed to ask the kids.”

“And…you can’t ask Grandma?” He shook his head. “Okay. Hit me with it.”

“I really want to marry your grandmother.” He coughed again. “When I asked, I told her she could put it off but it’s been two years and I really, really want her to be my wife.”

Nodding seriously, she replied, “I’ll get some intel. I’ll make it all about me wanting to help with the wedding and see what she says.”

Exhaling with relief, he smiled. “Thanks, Mandy. I don’t want her to feel pressured.”

“Leave it to me. Payment for spy work is two pints. I’m gonna need payment up front.”

“Reasonable.”

They got out of the SUV laughing and she put her arm through his since the ground was a little icy. They ended up with about a dozen pints as well as mini cones they quickly finished on their way to the warehouse.

He told her to wait and came around to grab the bags before bracing himself so she could get out safely. “I need to salt out here. The temp really dropped.”

Mandy focused on the ground to keep from slipping. Bill didn’t seem to be struggling because he was in heavy work boots. Going for cute shoes with no grip was short-sighted on her part. She’d lived in Colorado all her life. She knew better.

“Hey stranger!”

She glanced up and almost busted her butt on the pavement trying to suddenly dart forward. “Callie! I haven’t seen you in…! Ugh! Give me a second. I’m trying not to die.” Laughing, Bill fully lifted her against his side, walked the last dozen feet, and placed her safely inside the lobby. “You’re the best, Pops. Seriously.”

The girls fell on each other, hugging and talking a mile a minute. Grinning, Bill handed Callie’s dads the ice cream.

“I’m going to salt before this gets any worse, guys.” He went past them to the supply closet and brought out a big bucket of salt and a metal scoop. “I’ll be right behind you.”

“Uh, no. We’ll help.” Morgan handed Mandy the ice cream and tugged on his gloves. “Tell us what to do because we’re probably going to make it a lot harder for you.”

“Wait!” Mandy yelled. With a smile, she said, “Hugs first.”

Harrison and Morgan hugged the breath out of her, left smacking kisses on her cheeks, and followed Bill outside talking about how excited they were for the older man to teach them a useful skill.

“They’re hysterical. They’ve never spread salt?”

Callie arched her brow. “Are you kidding? My dads? Did you just meet them?”

“You’re so right.” Turning back to ten-year-old Callileah, Mandy’s eyes widened. In a whisper, she asked, “No more cane?”

“It’s upstairs because I have to use it when I get tired but otherwise, just a limp now.”

Hands over her mouth, Mandy teared up. “Let me see.” Callie walked down the hallway toward the gallery loading bay and back again. She had a limp but it was a vast improvement. She hugged her friend tightly. “I’m so happy. Let’s go upstairs so you can tell me everything.”

After greeting her grandmother, when they were settled at the dining table with big bowls of ice cream, they caught up on everything that happened over the months they’d been apart.

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