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“Got it. I know about tires, but I thought batteries lasted longer.”
“They do where it’s warmer.” Bash wanted to say more, but his phone’s insistent vibration against his chest was a constant reminder he was late.
“Thanks, Bash. ’Preciate it. Have a good Thanksgiving.” Jarvis rolled up his window, and the Mustang crawled away, as if he didn’t trust it to keep running. The other players called goodnight to him, and a few slapped him on the back as they passed. Bash slid into Rover and cranked up the heat, waiting as everyone’s cars finally left the parking lot. He was already late and didn’t see the harm in being later, not if it meant he wouldn’t have to worry about some other idiot being left in the cold with car trouble.
Chapter 16
“You made it,” Barbara said, opening the door for him. “I was starting to worry.” Bash ducked his head. Other than his manager, few people worried about him.
“There was a situation. I’m sorry I’m late.”
“Pshh. Don’t worry about it. We don’t stand on ceremony around here. Hard to do when the animals and Mother Nature are in charge. But you’re here now. Everyone just sat down. Go join them and I’ll put your pies in the kitchen.” Bash did as he was told and most everyone around the table greeted him warmly, as if Barbara was right and showing up late truly was no big deal. His mother was miffed for days when a dinner guest arrived late.
“You’re late,” Penny hissed as he sat next to her.
“We already determined that.” Bash wouldn’t apologize again. He’d apologized to the hostess. He didn’t need to apologize to a guest.
“Even if you show up late with pies, making everyone wait is rude.” Bash wished she’d stop lecturing and give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I saved you a few,” Harper interrupted, setting a small plate of appetizers near him before he said something he’d regret to Penny.
“You said they were all gone,” Cal said, eyeing the bite-sized finger food. Harper had been at the capitol on Tuesday covering the debates over the proposed lumber and mining changes, so she’d missed the traditional meal. Her absence had made her an easy target for family speculation and gossip. Barbara had wondered if she had a secret boyfriend, but Cal doubted it. “If she does, she isn’t happy about it. I mean, would a happy person write about the Tetons the way she does?”
“Not all relationships are easy or happy, Five,” Alison had said. “But I don’t think she’s seeing anyone seriously. I’d know if she was.”
“Mother’s intuition?” Elspeth asked, and Four had laughed at his sister’s question.
“More like mother’s nosiness,” he said as Alison squirmed and glared at him. “We’ve got access to the security cameras in all the buildings, and she can get a text alert when an apartment’s front door is unlocked.” Penny, Maggie, and Cal had stared at their mother in horror.
“What? They’re rental properties, and I need to know what’s going on.”
“Mom, we all rent from you. Are you spying on us?” Maggie had asked, and Bash had noticed the panicked look she shot Lucas.
“No, I would never spy. It’s just a security precaution. And honestly, I’ve never checked. I’ve got the login, but I’ve never used it. You’re all responsible adults and I trust you. It’s just the other crazy people I’m worried about.” She sounded remorseful.
“I believe her,” Three said. “No need to check on security feeds when Maggie and Penny live across the hall from each other, and Cal’s either Harper’s next-door neighbor or living out here. She’s got you four looking out for each other.” The kids looked at her in disbelief.
“Hey, it’s not just me. Your dad’s been in on it, too.”
Four laughed and held up his hands as if defending himself from further attack. “I’m just following orders. You’re the evil genius in this relationship.”
“I think it’s nice,” Bash said, and the table quieted. “As an only child who sees his grandparents a few times a year and grew up with hands-off parents, the way you look out for each other is admirable.” He’d lifted his water glass in a toast to Alison. “To overprotective mothers.”
Bash popped one of Harper’s honey-drizzled mini tarts into his mouth and wondered if any of the siblings had relayed their discovery to Harper. He knew Cal wouldn’t, but he didn’t know how close the sisters were. Maggie and Penny were tight, but it seemed like the oldest and youngest Buchanan kids didn’t have close allies.
Conversation flowed around him as dishes were passed. Maggie had turned the leftover turkey, stuffing, and roasted vegetables into a casserole. It amazed Bash they had so much to say to each other when they’d just seen each other the other night. And it wasn’t all about Harper’s news from the capital. Bash leaned back in this chair, wishing he’d worn sweatpants like Lucas and Cal had.
“What’s with your hand, Bash?” Three asked from the head of the table. Bash looked at his hand and cringed at the remaining grease. He’d wiped his hands with a wet nap he’d found buried in Rover’s console, but it hadn’t done its job.
“Grease.”
“That explains why Five’s not catching the ball like he used to. You’re supposed to grease the other team’s ball, not your own,” Three joked, and Bash laughed politely, but Cal didn’t join in with everyone else.
“Engine grease,” Bash clarified. “And it takes two to connect. Not everyone is 100 percent all the time.”
Three nodded. “True enough. What’s wrong with your fancy car?”
“Not mine. A teammate’s.”
