Page 20 of Omega’s Oath

Her mother pursed her lips and scowled at Hayden, but Hayden wasn’t intimidated. As a sheriff’s deputy, she dealt with people who made her parents look like pussy cats.

“So what? She ain’t the first woman to have a baby and it didn’t hurt any of us.” She turned to Rose’s sister Cheryl, who dropped her eyes. “Did it, Cheryl?”

“No, Mama.”

She could feel Hayden bristle with anger from where she stood as the other woman crossed her arms over her chest. “I don’t care if it didn’t hurt you, this is Rose’s house, and you will respect her by not smoking.”

Rose watched her grandmother put the cigarettes away with a huff and turned back toward the kitchen door hiding her smile as Mickie came back in and winked at her in support.

“Come on, girl, we’re hungry. Hurry up with the food.”

She knew it would be easier to make them something and get rid of them than to argue with them, so she did as they asked and escaped to the kitchen.

Rose felt a hand on her back and lifted her head to see Mickie smiling in encouragement. “Let me help you and we can get rid of them.”

Rose nodded as she picked up a knife and began to cut the chicken.

Hayden, she noticed, had stayed in the living room. Probably to make sure her family didn’t burn down the house or run off with the TV.

“Any chance you’ve got some arsenic hanging around here?” Mickie asked, making Rose laugh when seconds ago all she wanted to do was cry. That was true friendship and family, and the only one she needed or wanted.