Chapter 15

As she bussed the table, picking up the few coins wedged between two plates and trying not to think about all the things her family needed and how quickly that seventy-one cents would be spent, her stomach buzzed with excitement.

He’d actually kissed her. No, they had kissed. There’d definitely been some mutual lip action. Her cheeks grew warm as she rewound—for the hundredth time that morning—every second of their time together on the porch.

Her eyes darted to the clock on the wall, and she held back a grimace when she realized the three cops wouldn’t be there for another forty-five minutes. Jules wanted to see him, wanted to know if they were going to sneak each other secret looks and touches, or if the kiss was something Theo wanted to forget. If his gaze would slide right past her, as if it were a normal day, and they were normal people, and something miraculous hadn’t happened earlier that morning.

Wiping down the table, she snorted. Miraculous? It had been a kiss. A good kiss—an amazing kiss—but that was all. It hadn’t cured cancer or turned water into wine or stopped a plague of locusts. It was a kiss. A toe-curling, brain-erasing, life-altering kiss, sure, but still just a kiss.

A flash of blue uniform had her turning even as the sensor on the door beeped, announcing a customer. Disappointment made her shoulders sag when she realized it was Hugh, not Theo. Guilt quickly followed, and she gave Hugh an extra-bright smile to make up for her mental lack of enthusiasm. She liked Hugh—quite a bit, actually. He just wasn’t the cop who made her heart quicken.

By the way Hugh was charging toward her, though, it looked like she was exactly the person he wanted to see. The crutches didn’t seem to slow him down, even when he was forced to maneuver through the tables. His obvious intent made her nervous, and she tried to take a step back, but her calves bumped one of the wooden chairs. She bobbled, hurrying to put her bussing tub down before she dropped it and all its contents. By the time she’d recovered her balance, he was right in front of her.

Although he was smiling, there was a determined look on his face that ramped up her nerves. Jules tried to appear like his speedy approach hadn’t bothered her, as if she wasn’t seconds from tossing the contents of the bus tub at him and vaulting over the table to freedom.

“Jules,” he said, his sharp gaze taking in everything. Somehow, she just knew that he knew that she was ready to run. “Just the person I wanted to see. Do you have a minute?”

“Actually,” she rushed out, her voice too high-pitched, “we’re really busy this morning. Could this wait until later?”

“’Fraid not.” His smile turned apologetic, but his tone was firm. Whatever this was, Jules was not getting out of it. All the horrible possibilities—he knew who they were, what she’d done—rushed into her mind, weakening her knees, and she sank into the chair behind her.

“Sorry. Mind if I sit?” she asked belatedly.

“Of course not.” Leaning on his right crutch, he used his left to push another chair away from the table so he could drop into it. “Good idea.”

There was a short silence, although it felt very long to Jules. Her gaze darted around again, wishing for a tour bus of seniors to stop by before heading farther into the mountains, or maybe a preschool crowd of teenagers, or even for Megan to come out of the kitchen and yell at Jules to get back to work. Any of those would be acceptable options, all better than waiting to hear what was making Hugh’s smile look like he’d duct-taped it on.

“So…what’s your story, Jules?”

The question made her throat seize. Even if she’d known how to answer that question, even if she’d wanted to answer that question, it would’ve been impossible to speak. Instead, she settled for giving him a quizzical look—at least she hoped it was a quizzical look. Jules was pretty sure it leaned closer toward deer-in-the-headlights.

“Come on, now.” Hugh leaned back, making the chair squeak in protest, and laced his fingers behind his head. The pose brought all the muscles in his arms and chest into stark relief, but Jules didn’t really find it sexy. She did find it intimidating. Even with a bullet hole in his leg, Hugh would have no problem restraining her. “You randomly show up in town, jump at every sudden movement, and get a job I’m guessing you’re a college degree or two overqualified for. What’d you do?” He was watching her closely, and she struggled to keep the panic off her face. “Or what was done to you?”

She fumbled for words, trying to think of the best way to prove him wrong, to turn him off the track he was on before it led him inevitably to a kidnapping in Florida. “I haven’t done anything wrong.”

A judge might disagree, but she felt it, deep in her gut. The kids had needed saving. She’d saved them. In the weeks since they’d arrived in Monroe—even when facing a school shooting and a falling-down house and a new town—none of her siblings had ever even hinted at wanting to go back to Courtney, to their old life. Jules knew she’d done the right thing.

Not that her certainty helped now, faced with Hugh’s coolly assessing gaze.

“Good,” he said. “That makes it easier. Just tell me why you ran, why you’re hiding, and I’ll be able to help you.”

“I…” For a single, insane moment, Jules was tempted. Hugh was a good guy. He could understand why she had to take the kids, right?

The door sensor beeped, and she whipped her head around to see Norman coming in. He started to head to his usual booth, but then he noticed Jules and Hugh, and his footsteps slowed. Just for a second, his bland countenance focused and sharpened, making him look like a completely different person.

Jules inhaled quickly, and Norman dropped his gaze, returning to the beige, slightly off customer she saw every day. Even though she was pretty sure he wasn’t a private investigator hired by her stepmother, he still set off her internal alarms. When she’d grabbed the kids and run, she’d been so focused on the possibility of her stepmother finding them that Jules hadn’t even considered that their new life would hold other dangers. Although she wasn’t sure what kind of threat Norman presented, all of Jules’s instincts were insisting he was dangerous. Turning her attention back to Hugh, she saw he was glancing back and forth between her and Norman, as if he’d noticed her reaction and was trying to figure out the reason for it.

The pause had allowed her to regain her common sense, and the moment of craziness passed. Hugh was, first and foremost, a police officer. If he even had the smallest suspicion she’d kidnapped her siblings, he’d be arresting her. Immediately. That temptation to confess was just a moment of weakness, a wish that someone would help them, would share the burden of responsibility that weighed so heavily on Jules.

“What were you about to say, Jules?” Hugh asked. His tone, a mix of command and persuasion, was the same, but any chance of her confessing was gone.

“Just that I need to get back to work.” Standing abruptly, she rushed toward Norman, making as large a circle around Hugh as possible. Unfortunately, it wasn’t wide enough, and he caught her wrist, gently but firmly pulling her to a stop. The fingers locked around her wrist reminded her viscerally of handcuffs, and she fought the urge to twist free.

“Jules.” There was no softness to his voice or his hold. “Know this. If you break Theo, I will break you. Understood?”

There was no way she could answer immediately. Too many emotions spun through her, from bewilderment to fear to shock to anger. When she finally managed to arrange her scattered thoughts into a sentence that made sense, Hugh had already gathered his crutches and was swinging his way toward his usual booth.

“I would never hurt Theo.”

Hugh paused to give her a measuring look over his shoulder, but he didn’t respond except for a grunt that could’ve meant anything, from “I believe you,” to “You’re a Theo-breaking liar.” Then he crutched the rest of the way to his booth, leaving her feeling shaken and scared and guilty.

It was a good reminder, though. Theo was every bit the cop Hugh was. She was an idiot for ever thinking there could be something between them. No more kisses, she resolved. Kissing Theo was like a gateway drug. It started small, but if she let it continue, it would be so easy to slide into other things. Then, all of a sudden, she’d be in love, and it wouldn’t be Theo who’d get broken.

It’d be Jules.

* * *

The encounter with Hugh threw her off her game for the rest of her shift. She mixed up more orders and fumbled more plates than she had on her first, nerve-racked day. It didn’t help that Norman Rounds stayed all morning, his creepy gaze locked on her.

In the lull before the lunch rush, she slipped into the kitchen. She needed a short break before putting on her happy-waitress face again. The customers’ main topic of conversation was the school shooting—who could’ve done it, why the police hadn’t caught the shooter yet, which family had started homeschooling afterward. The memory of that awful day still brought bone-deep shivers when she thought of what could’ve happened, and every mention of it made her relive the horror of that day.

Vicki wasn’t at her usual spot by the grill. Jules could hear her talking to the delivery guy right outside the propped-open back door. It was a relief to be alone for a few seconds, and Jules leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, shoved away persistent thoughts of Theo, and just breathed.

“Hey.”

Her eyes popped open to see Norman Rounds standing right in front of her, and she had to bite back a startled shriek. “What are you doing back here? You’re not supposed to be in the kitchen.”

“I need to talk to you.” He took another step toward her so he was much too close, and she shifted sideways. Norman followed, blocking her against the wall.

“Please go back to your booth.” Her gaze darted to the open back door, and she debated calling for Vicki. The cook would probably just think it was funny, though, to watch Jules try to escape from Norman.

“Wait,” he said, his gaze locked on hers. He was just so creepy. There was a prep sink to her right, blocking her in, so she dodged to the left. Norman blocked her escape again. “Wait! Just listen! I need to—”

Jules tried to duck around him, but he grabbed her by her upper arms, holding her in place. As soon as his hands latched on, she opened her mouth, ready to scream.

“Knock it off, Norman.” Sherry Baker’s calm voice cut off Jules’s shout for help before it could emerge. Dropping his hold on her arms, Norman spun around to face the other woman. “She’s obviously not interested. In fact, I think she and Theo are together, and you probably don’t want to be pissing him off.”

“I wasn’t…” Norman shot Jules a frustrated look and then stomped out of the kitchen, giving Sherry a wide berth.

“Thanks.” Jules knew her smile was a little shaky.

Shrugging off her thanks, Sherry smiled back. “Norman’s harmless, but he shouldn’t have grabbed you like that. If Theo had seen…” She rolled her eyes in an exaggerated way.

“Oh, Theo doesn’t…” She could feel a burning flush creeping up her neck toward her cheeks. “I mean, we’re not dating.”

“Not yet.” Sherry’s smile turned teasing. “I’ve known Theo a long time, and the way he looks at you…” She fanned her face, making Jules laugh despite her flustered state. “So hot.”

Despite Hugh’s warning, despite Jules’s own misgivings, a warm spark lit in her belly. “Really?”

“Oh yeah.” They shared another grin. “Now feed me. I’m dying for one of Vicki’s turkey clubs.”

“I’m on it.” As she led the way out of the kitchen, Jules realized that the wreck of a day might’ve been salvaged after all. She was pretty sure she’d just made her first Monroe friend.

* * *

It was one thing to resolve to stay away from Theo when she wasn’t faced with his broad shoulders and a rare, precious smile. Viggy sat next to him, his tail thumping on the porch boards. It took less than two seconds for her to cave, to smile back and open the door wide enough for them to step inside.

“We’re about to have dinner,” she said, unable to keep her gaze from roaming over Theo hungrily. He was in jeans and another hoodie that was identical to the one she’d stolen from him. Although Jules had planned to wash it and give it back, she couldn’t bring herself to do either. It was warm, comfortable, and smelled like him, and she couldn’t bear to change that—or give it up. “Want to join us?”

“Yes.”

“It’s tuna noodle casserole.” As she started to lead the way to the kitchen, she glanced over her shoulder and caught him staring at her butt. Her voice went a little husky. “Just thought I should warn you.”

“Consider me warned.” His gaze slid up her back and their eyes caught.

Of course, Jules tripped on the warped floorboard at the kitchen entry. Flushed and flustered, she regained her balance and hurried to the stove, pretending she had to check the contents of a pan. After a moment of staring at broccoli—because who could get breathless about a vegetable?—Jules was ready to face Theo again. When she turned, he was right there, his eyes locked on her mouth. She was immediately breathless all over again. He leaned in closer—or maybe she did—until their lips were just a breath apart.

Ty and Tio came charging inside through the back door, and Theo straightened, taking a step back. Jules didn’t know whether to curse the twins’ timing or thank them.

“Hi, Jules! Hi, Theo! Hi, Viggy! We’re going to get cleaned up,” Ty yelled as they charged through the kitchen and into the hallway. The clatter of their feet on the stairs sounded like a thousand booted soldiers making their way to the second level.

“Ow,” Jules complained, rubbing her ear with one hand. “Why was he shouting? I was two feet away from him. I think I just lost my hearing in this ear.”

Theo took a step closer again. Taking her fingers in his, he gently pulled her hand away from her ear and leaned in. She held her breath.

“Should I test it?” he said quietly, near enough to her ear that his breath touched her skin.

Jules shivered. “Um…what?”

“A test.” He leaned even closer. Now she could feel the warmth of his lips. “A hearing test.”

“This doesn’t feel like any hearing test I’ve taken before.” Her voice had gone from slightly rough to full-on throaty. “I’m wondering about its medical legitimacy.”

“That’s because it’s a field hearing test.” She loved how he played along, understanding when she was teasing and when she was serious. She knew, too, that he wasn’t like this with anyone else—only her. There was something heady about being the one who was able to make serious, angry Theo laugh and joke. “Only to be used by trained first responders.” His voice had lowered to a rumbling hum, and his lips were actually brushing the ever-so-sensitive shell of her ear.

“Good thing you’re here, then. Being a trained first responder and all.” Jules knew she shouldn’t be flirting, but this teasing version of Theo made it impossible not to respond.

“Hey.” Sam’s voice brought her off her flirty cloud and back to earth with a thump. On the pretext of getting a serving bowl from the cupboard, she reluctantly eased her body away from Theo’s, only then realizing how closely they were standing, with her side almost plastered against his front.

“Hi, Sam.” She still sounded breathless, and Theo hadn’t even touched her—not really. “Homework done?”

A crease formed between his brows. “N-not yet.”

“Need a hand? I can break out my rusty chemistry skills.”

“N-n-no, th-thanks.” He got a pitcher out of the cupboard and started filling it with water from the tap. “Hey, Theo. D-does Viggy n-need a w-w-water b-bowl?”

“Sure. Thanks, Sam.” Theo leaned against the counter next to Jules, close enough that she was continually aware of him. She held back a snort. Who was she kidding? She’d be hyperaware of him even if he were in another room.

“D-did you f-f-find the sh-sh-shooter?”

Theo’s expression turned grim. “Not yet.”

“Jules!” the twins shouted in unison. Jules knew that tone. That was the something-else-is-broken tone. Her shoulders sagged before she stiffened them. No matter what had broken or collapsed or fallen off or stopped working, it was better than not having the kids with her. Even if the house toppled down around their ears, at least they were together.

“Sorry.” She gave Theo an apologetic smile. “Dinner might be delayed a few minutes.”

He took a step toward her. “Need help?”

“No.” She frowned. “Maybe. I’ll call you if it’s something beyond my abilities. My fix-it record is actually pretty good.”

Sam snorted. “All you d-d-do is p-put duct t-tape on st-tuff. Or k-kick it.”

When Theo coughed, Sam looked over at him, and the two exchanged a look that was so full of manly condescension that Jules propped her fists on her hips, now determined not to ask Theo—or Sam—for help. “Sam,” she said, her voice sugar sweet, and Sam gave her a wary look. “Since it might take a while for little ol’ me to duct tape whatever it is that’s broken, why don’t you finish your homework in the meantime.”

He made a face but answered politely enough. “Yes, m-ma’am.”

“Jules!” The shout from upstairs had a hint of hysteria to it, so Jules hurried out of the kitchen, hoping she’d be able to solve whatever was wrong. Now it was a matter of pride.

A half-hour later, she proudly sailed back into the kitchen. Passing through the doorway, she opened her mouth to brag about how the toilet had been successfully unclogged—no duct tape necessary—when she stopped abruptly, the words catching in her throat.

Theo was sitting next to Sam, their heads bent over an opened textbook.

“If I c-can’t see it, I j-just d-d-don’t g-get it.” Sam’s head was propped on one hand, the fingers working against his buzzed scalp.

Theo picked up a pencil and tugged Sam’s notebook closer. “Here’s a hydrogen atom. Here’s another one. They each have one electron.” Jules leaned against the wall, her heart filled to bursting at Theo’s patient explanation. “When they share those electrons, they form a covalent bond and become a hydrogen molecule.”

Sam’s rumpled forehead smoothed slightly, although he still looked confused. “Wh-what m-makes it a c-c-covalent bond?”

“Sharing the electrons, rather than just taking them.”

“I’ll n-never r-r-rememb-ber th-that.”

“Sure you will. Think of ‘co’ as in working together. Like ‘cooperating’ or ‘coexisting.’”

Jules’s brain instantly supplied a host of other options, such as “co-parenting” and “cohabitation.” Feeling warm, she cleared her throat to derail those thoughts, and both of the guys looked up at her. “Y’all hungry?” Her voice was huskier than normal. “Although the casserole is probably burnt to a crisp by now.”

“I turned off the oven,” Theo said, getting up and crossing the kitchen to turn it on again. “It’ll need heating up, but it should be okay.”

Of course he did. Because Theo is wonderful.

How was she supposed to resist him when he looked like he did and saved people’s lives and rescued dinner and helped Sam with his homework? It was impossible.

“Theo, could I see you in the hall for a second?”

Although he gave her a wary look, he followed her out of the kitchen. As soon as they were out of Sam’s line of sight, Jules shoved Theo against the wall. With both hands knotted in his shirtfront, she yanked him down until she could reach his mouth. Then she kissed him. Hard.

For a fraction of a second, he froze, his muscles tight and his lips unresponsive. Jules didn’t even have time to feel awkward, though, before Theo wrapped his strong arms around her, yanked her so close her front was plastered against his, and completely took over the kiss.

It was even better than she’d remembered from the night before, and she’d remembered it as feeling pretty darn good.

One of his hands cupped the back of her head, while the other arm was a steel band locked across her lower back. He turned, rotating them with dizzying speed, so Jules’s back was now the one pressed against the wall. As his tongue played with hers, it felt as if she was surrounded by him, like he was body armor protecting her from the world.

Being safe was the best feeling. No, the best feeling was his lips on hers, his teeth dragging gently over her lower lip, their bodies pressed against each other. Feeling safe was just a really, really nice bonus. His tongue slid against hers, sending a mix of heat and happy chills through her.

Jules released his shirt so she could move her hands to the back of his head, run her fingers through his short, short hair, and massage his scalp. She felt an almost-silent groan rumble through his chest, felt the vibrations in her body and against her lips, and Jules clutched him to her more tightly.

There was a clatter of footsteps on the stairs, and Jules wanted to whimper. How was she supposed to let go of Theo now, when she’d discovered how very, very nice it was to hold him? The thought of the kids seeing them kiss, of having to explain exactly what she and Theo were doing, gave Jules the strength to step back.

He resisted for a brief moment, but then released her, although his gaze remained fixed on her lips, and his eyes were so hungry she almost hurled herself back into his arms. The twins and Dee raced around the corner, putting an end to any thought of continuing the kiss. The kids didn’t ask why Jules and Theo were out in the hall, but just tore into the kitchen.

“Hi, Theo!” Dee called as she passed, although her attention was already fixed on the dog. After a final, heated look that warmed Jules from her toes to her eyebrows, Theo ushered her back into the kitchen. All three younger kids were clustered around Viggy. Once the initial round of petting was done, they moved toward the table, but Jules, still feeling flushed and spacey and extraordinarily happy, blocked them with her body. “Hands.”

Reversing direction, they stampeded to the bathroom to clean up. Theo and Sam, who’d cleared his homework while they’d been in the hall, helped her get everything on the table, and she felt a warm rush of contentment as she watched them. As unexpected as it was, Theo seemed to fit effortlessly into the family, as if they’d been holding a spot open with his name on it. Even Viggy, who’d stretched out across the ancient linoleum, had become one of them. Shoving away her fanciful thoughts, Jules headed for her chair, only to find Theo there, holding it out for her.

“Thank you,” she said as she sat, the gesture making her wonder what it would be like to go on a real date with Theo. The return of the youngest three distracted her from the pang of longing that hit her, a wish to be a normal, law-abiding woman, someone who could be with Theo without wondering when he was going to find out about her past. A memory of Hugh’s accusing words flashed through her mind, and stomach clenched, she looked down at her plate.

“Jules.” When she glanced up, Theo was watching her. “You okay?”

“Sure.” Painting on a smile, she brushed off his concern. “I’m great. How about y’all? What happened in school?”

“I got a job!” Dee bounced in her seat.

“A job?” Jules repeated, feeling her eyebrows climb toward her hairline. Was there a child-labor-based sweatshop in Monroe she didn’t know about? “Doing what?”

“Mrs. Vang said she’d pay me five dollars a day to feed her cat while she’s on vacation. She said she’d have to talk to you first, though, to make sure it’s okay.” Dee clasped her hands together and pressed her fist under her chin. When Dee put her mind to it, she could outdo even Hugh in the hungry-puppy-eyes department. “So is it? Okay?”

“Who is Mrs. Vang?”

“One of the lunch ladies. I know we don’t have much money, so I want to help. I put up some dog-walking fliers at school, and Mrs. Vang saw one, and she’s going to Hawaii next week, but she doesn’t want to bring Mr. Sylvester to the usual boarding place, because they charge so much and he hides for a long time after he gets home because he’s so mad at Mrs. Vang for leaving, so she’s going to see if it’s better if he can stay home. So, is it okay?” Jules was pretty sure Dee didn’t breathe once during the entire monologue.

“Dee,” Jules said firmly. “We talked about this. It’s my job to make money. It’s all y’all’s job to go to school and be kids and have fun.”

Dee’s face fell, and her bottom lip quivered for a second before she put on her pageant mask.

If Dee had thrown a tantrum or cried or whined or acted like a normal kid, Jules could’ve held strong, but her sister’s stoic acceptance of disappointment was unbearable. “But I’ll talk to Mrs. Vang.”

“Really?” Dee’s eyes got even larger than normal.

“Yes.” With a look Jules tried very hard to make strict, she added, “But nothing’s set in stone until I talk with her, okay? So try to keep the excitement to a minimum.” Even as she said it, Jules knew she was too late. If Dee had been any more excited, the top of her head would’ve blown off.

“Okay.” She took a big bite of casserole, smiling the whole time. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And don’t talk with your mouth full, please.” Jules had lost any last hints of sternness, though. Dee’s huge grin was too contagious.

“We have a job, too,” Ty blurted. There was a thump from under the table, and he winced.

“Tio, did you just kick your brother?” Jules demanded.

“Yes.”

“Why?” She darted a glance at Theo, wondering what he made of their antics. To her surprised pleasure, he wasn’t wearing his usual scowl. In fact, he looked almost relaxed…and amused. He was definitely amused.

“To remind him to keep his mouth shut.”

“Why should he keep his mouth shut?” Jules was simultaneously grateful for and exasperated by Tio’s blunt honesty. “What exactly is this job of yours?”

They exchanged one of their looks. Finally, Tio answered, “I’d rather not say.”

“Why not? It’s not something illegal, is it?” As soon as the words were out, Jules felt like the world’s biggest hypocrite. After all, by taking the kids and keeping them, she’d committed—and was continuing to commit—crimes much more serious than whatever scheme they’d come up with to make money…at least she hoped they were more serious. She sent another glance at Theo, who looked to be taking a great interest in the conversation. Great. Now, if the twins were breaking the law, a cop would know about it. Jules had a feeling she was in the running for worst parental figure ever.

The twins did their look-communication thing again, but it was more thoughtful this time. “We do not believe so,” Tio finally said.

“You don’t believe so,” Jules echoed.

“Why don’t you tell us exactly what you’re doing, and I’ll let you know if you’re breaking the law.” Theo’s even words caught the twins’ attention, as if they’d forgotten a cop was in their possibly law-breaking midst.

“It’s not illegal,” Ty said reluctantly after yet another silent conversation with his brother. “I’m, like, 99 percent sure.”

Tio frowned. “I’d put that closer to 84 percent.”

With a sigh, Theo made a get-on-with-it gesture.

“We’re offering protection services,” Ty blurted, the words tumbling quickly from his mouth, as if he wanted to get them out and have it be done.

Blinking, Jules tried to absorb his answer. It wasn’t what she’d been expecting, although, with the twins, she never knew what to expect. “Protection services? Like…the mob?” Guilt rose up in her again. Was this because of her influence? She’d tried to keep the whole mess of her involvement with Luis’s business away from her siblings, but it had been a fairly high-profile case. Once she’d refused to turn on Luis, the FBI had no incentive to keep her name from the media, so the kids almost certainly knew at least the basics of the situation.

To her relief, both twins were shaking their heads. “Not extortion,” Tio explained. “We’re not charging for protection from us. We’re charging for protection from others.”

“It’s like an anti-bullying campaign,” Ty added. “Only…with punching.”

“Punching.” Jules repeated faintly.

“Just as a last resort,” Tio corrected, giving his twin a look. “Mostly we rely on the threat of violence for intimidation purposes.”

Theo rubbed his hand across his mouth, as if he were hiding a smile.

“Okay, stop.” Propping her elbows on the table—having dropped her fork onto her plate long ago—Jules grabbed a handful of hair on either side of her head. “Tell us, using easily understood words and phrases, exactly what you are doing.”

“If a kid pays us fifty bucks, we make sure he doesn’t get picked on anymore.”

“So, basically,” Jules said slowly, trying to figure out what the best—most parental—response should be, “you’re hiring yourselves out as bodyguards.”

“Correct.” Tio turned to Theo. “Hiring personal protection is not illegal, I believe?”

Theo studied the twins for a long moment before asking, “Where does the punching fit in?”

“Like T said, just as a last resort,” Ty answered a little defensively. “Usually they back right off when they hear a kid hired us. And they’ve always hit first. Well, they tried to hit first, at least. It was self-defense.”

“Isn’t there a no-tolerance stance on fighting at your school?” Theo asked mildly, and Jules turned to the twins as horror filled her.

“You are not going to be kicked out of your school, do you hear me?” Her accent thickened as her voice rose. “We joke about homeschooling, but that’s not an option. How am I supposed to teach you two? How am I supposed to teach T anything? He’s so much smarter than I am already!”

Reaching over, Theo gave her arm a gentle squeeze. Her panicked gaze met his, and she instantly calmed. There was something about his steady presence that made her feel like everything would be okay.

“We won’t get kicked out, Jules,” Ty said. “We’re careful not to get caught.”

“Besides, the punishment for a first offence is a week of in-school suspension,” Tio added, although not nearly as soothingly as Ty. “We’d have to get caught four times before we were kicked out of school.”

Jules’s laugh was more than half-hysterical. “Great. That’s very reassuring.”

“I l-like it,” Sam said. “They’re helping b-bullied k-k-kids.”

After a final squeeze, Theo dropped his hand from Jules’s arm and returned to eating. He looked not at all bothered by the twins’ self-employment strategy.

“So?” Tio asked him, more with clinical interest than with any anxiety. “It’s not illegal, is it?”

“Avoid the punching part,” Theo said, “and no. It’s not illegal.”

With a satisfied nod, Tio resumed eating.

Ty eyed Jules. “Are you going to make us stop?”

Sitting back in her chair, Jules regarded him and Tio as she thought. “No,” she finally said. “Just please, please don’t get kicked out of school.”

“We won’t.”

Somehow, Ty’s assurance wasn’t that convincing.

“How about you, Sam?” She turned to the only sibling who hadn’t revealed an entrepreneurial scheme. “Are you starting up a secret poker club you’ll run out of the basement?”

“I w-wish.” He frowned and poked at his casserole. “The gr-grocery store, that lawn service pl-place, even the g-g-gas station…everywh-where I’ve ap-p-plied has said n-no. M-m-my hours are wr-wrong.”

“Because of school?” Jules asked. Her stomach finally had settled enough for her to handle eating, although cold broccoli wasn’t very appetizing. Still, she ate it. They spent too much money on food to waste it.

“Yeah.” An idea made his eyes light. “M-mayb-be I c-c-could—”

“If you’re about to suggest that you drop out of school,” Jules interrupted in the iciest voice she could manage, “you better swallow those words right back down again, shove them in a closet, lock them inside, and throw away the key. We’ll manage on what I make at the diner.”

“B-but…” He trailed off when she gave him her fiercest look. She’d been on the fence about the twins’ bodyguard gig, but on this, she was adamant.

“You like dogs?” Theo asked Sam, who gave him a confused look.

“Um…sh-sure.”

“I know that Nan is looking for help at Bastian Kennels. Her place is just a couple of miles south of here. It’d be before and after school, so it should work with your schedule.”

“Yeah?” His face brightened briefly before dimming again. “I d-don’t have m-m-much exp-perience with d-dogs.”

“Probably won’t need it,” Theo told him. “It’ll be grunt work to start with—feeding and cleaning, mostly. You won’t be helping with training or grooming until you’ve been there a while. Want her number?”

“Yes, p-p-please.” Sam looked tentatively hopeful, although his gaze followed Theo warily, as if he were expecting the job offer to be ripped away at any moment. His caution broke Jules’s heart, and she had to look away from her brother so she didn’t burst into tears.

“Okay.” Her voice was slightly rough, and Theo gave her a probing look, which she avoided with great effort. “Now that everyone is employed or has the potential of being employed, who wants ice cream?”

Everyone enthusiastically chorused their requests, except for Theo, who just smiled at her before turning back to discuss details with Sam. Her heart warmed at the rare sight. Despite his profession and his usual antisocial attitude and his friend’s overprotectiveness, Jules was glad he was there. Paying two dollars for an extra chair at the thrift store had been worth it to have a place for Theo. He belonged there, belonged to their family.

Overcome with sudden joy, she got up to get the ice cream. As she passed behind Theo, she couldn’t resist running a hand from one shoulder to another. It was yet another memory she could cling to after they had to run again—run and leave Theo behind.