Brighter Than the Sun

“So what’s on your agenda today?” Marlene asked as Joe sat down at the bar. “I didn’t think I’d see you again for at least a week.”

Heat rose up his neck and he avoided her steady gaze. “I stopped by to see what the girls had planned for the day. I thought I might take Zoe out again. We didn’t get to do everything I had planned yesterday.”

Marlene studied him for a moment, and evidently approving, she smiled and returned to mixing the pancake batter. For a moment the only sound in the kitchen was the sizzle of bacon and the whop whop of her beating the mix with a wooden spoon.

“She’s not going to come easily,” his mom said in a quiet voice. “She’s one to be handled with care.”

“I know,” he said just as softly. He didn’t bother denying the subtle question in her voice. He was through denying his attraction to Zoe and what she was to him.

“I have every faith that you’ll get her to come around,” Marlene said with a soft smile that warmed her eyes and entire face. “I like her, Joe. She’s perfect for you.”

“You’ll get no arguments from me,” he returned. “But you and I aren’t the ones who need convincing. It’s going to take a lot more to get her to open up to me and trust me with her heart.”

She shook her head, her eyes suddenly awash with unshed tears. “You have no idea how long I’ve prayed for the day when my last son was spoken for. It’s all a mother can ask for. For her children to love as she and her husband have loved for over forty years and to be blessed with families of their own.”

“I guess now you’ll have to set your sights on Rusty,” he said lightly, to shake her from her sudden nostalgia.

She snorted. “That child is going to prove more stubborn than all you boys put together.”

“Which child are you referring to?” Rusty piped up as she entered the kitchen.

“Morning, baby,” Marlene said, beaming at her youngest chick. “Have a seat. Is Zoe coming down for breakfast?”

Rusty plopped onto one of the stools next to Joe and elbowed him in the ribs as she levered herself down.

“She’ll be down in five. I got up and showered before she did, but I told her you were cooking pancakes and how awesome they were, and I think her mouth was watering already.”

Joe reached over and hooked his arm around Rusty’s neck, pulling her down so he could rub his knuckles over the top of her head.

“Better watch it, squirt. I’m bigger than you. Remember that when you’re trying to abuse me. I’ll eat your share of the bacon if you don’t shape up and show proper respect.”

She snorted. “Mess with my bacon and die, old man. I suppose I should be nicer to you. Ma always did preach about respecting my elders.”

“You little heifer. I’ll get you for the age remark,” he said in a voice that promised retribution.

“So what brings you over so early this morning?” Rusty asked, as if just realizing his out-of-the-blue presence.

He shifted uncomfortably, watching her carefully for her reaction. “I was going to ask Zoe if she wanted to have part two of our outing. We didn’t get to everything on the list.”

Rusty’s eyes widened as she stared wordlessly up at him.

“I won’t hurt her, Rusty,” he said quietly. “She’ll always be safe with me.”

“Wow. I mean, holy heck. When did this happen?” she asked incredulously.

He shrugged. “I can’t tell you when or even how. I just know what is.”

“Holy crap,” she breathed. “She’s never going to believe I didn’t set her up for this.”

“Would it be so bad?” he asked, still watching his younger sister carefully. “I would never hurt her. I’d never let anyone hurt her again.”

To his surprise, her eyes filled with tears. She turned her head and wiped quickly with the back of her hand.

“Hey,” he said softly. “What’s that for?”

She turned back to him and smiled. “I’m just happy for you. For her. Even if she has no clue yet. In other circumstances it would be a hell of a lot of fun to watch when she figures out resistance is futile.”

His eyes narrowed as he stared into Rusty’s. “What other circumstances are we talking about here?”

“She’s my friend, not just some woman who caught your eye. My loyalties are divided. So I can’t, in good conscience, be completely on your side on this one. Besides, she’s going to need an ally. In this family it will be a foregone conclusion that she’s done for. I can’t let her think she has no one at her back.”

Rusty’s tone was teasing, but there was something in her eyes that worried him. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Maybe he was trying to see more than there was. At any rate, he’d already decided that Zoe would be the one to tell him her secrets. Not anyone else. He wouldn’t have Donovan checking up on her further, and now that Shea was prepared, she’d be better fortified when she came into contact with Zoe again.

“Good morning,” Marlene sang out, shooting a quick warning glance at Rusty and Joe. “Did you sleep well, dear?”

Joe turned to see Zoe standing in the doorway to the kitchen, her gaze shy and hesitant.

“I did. Thank you, Mrs. Kelly.”

“Come on in and take a seat. The first batch of pancakes will be served up in less than a minute. And how many times do I have to tell you to call me Marlene or Ma? Anything you’d like except Mrs. Kelly. You’re family, and we can’t have you being so formal. I feel like an old woman when someone calls me Mrs. Kelly!”