“It was. I’ll tell you more later. I could really use your advice.”
Sally smiled. “So where are we going?”
“There is a new Italian bistro in the next town south. It was recommended by Burt, he’s my other boss, and Paula, she’s his girlfriend. It’s supposed to be quiet, and the food’s tasty.”
“Where would Ted take Mia?” Sally asked getting in the truck.
“Taco Bell.”
“On a date night,” she clarified.
“Taco Bell. Mia even has a special dress she wears.”
“Mia gets dressed up for Taco Bell.”
“Yes. You see why I want you to get to know me first instead of judging me by my friends.”
“Is Ted cheap?”
“No. I think he’s rather extravagant. He just likes Taco Bell. His taste buds are very simple.”
“So when you’re cooking and creating all these wonderful meals, it’s not for Ted.”
“Heavens no. It’s for me.”
“Me-ah?” Sally asked.
“Cute. Yes, Mia appreciates my cooking. She’s not a cook but loves to eat. But I cook for myself. I love cooking, grilling, sautéing, and frying.”
“Me too,” Sally said distracted by something up ahead on the side of the road.
“I’m not a baker. I could be, but Mia is amazeballs at baking.”
“Turn around, there’s the Taco Bell.”
“Wait, we’re going…”
“We’re going to go through the drive thru and pick up enough Taco Bell to seduce Ted. You’re taking me to meet the Martins right now. I’ll call and warn them.”
“But?”
“No buts. Cid, let’s rip the Band-Aid off.” Sally grabbed Cid’s phone, found Ted’s number and called.
“Did you forget your wallet?” Ted asked.
“I didn’t. Hello, Ted, this is Sally Wright.”
“Hello, Sally Wright. Did Cid do a dine and dash? If so, Mia will be there to pay the bill.”
Sally laughed. “Actually, we’re stopping at the border. Can you guys eat again?”
“Mia can always eat. I can always eat Taco Bell. The kids are fond of tacos. Oh, Jesse’s here, better double whatever you’re bringing. So… we finally get to meet you.”
“I insisted,” Sally said.
“I don’t know why he’s embarrassed of us. I’ll go and let Mia out of her cage, hose her down, and we’ll be waiting for you at the house. Ta Ta.”
Sally hung up the phone. “Um… Ted’s… interesting.”
Cid laughed. “Remember you asked - no strike that - demanded this.”
Chapter Thirty-three
Cid knew something was up when no one came out to help with the food bags. He opened the front door, and Sally and he walked in. They were all lined up in the foyer like something out of the Addams Family. Ted, Jesse, Nanny Berta, and Dieter stood in the back row. Brian and Varden, who was wearing his jalapeño bowtie, stood in front of them. Lazar sat in a chair beside the boys. Mia sat at his feet in a beautiful dress holding the twins. The dog, Maggie, was curled up in front of them.
Varden stepped up and handed Sally a bouquet of paper daisies. “I’m Varden Martin, and this is my family.”
“I’m Sally, and I’m in love with your uncle Cid.”
Varden smiled and jumped up and down.
“Whose idea was this?” Cid demanded.
“Mine,” Murphy said from behind him. “Faye helped.”
“I said they should be with us standing side by side like the American Gothic painting, but Murph’s a stick in the mud,” Mia said.
Varden took Sally’s hand.
Sally looked at Cid. “I want one of these, and one of those,” she said pointing at Brian. “Two of those darling little girls and…”
“We aren’t shopping,” Cid said. “Those girls are very expensive. I think we can get Brian cheap because he’s mouthy.”
“Hey!” Brian objected.
The family broke up, and Sally was properly introduced to everyone. Mia remained on the floor, glaring up at Murphy.
Nanny picked up one of the babies and handed her to Sally. “This is Genevieve. She’s the oldest, and this one is Maeve, the baby of the family.”
“Mia’s the baby of the family,” Lazar teased. “Get off the floor, you’re embarrassing all of us.”
“My legs are asleep. I crossed them, and now they can’t be uncrossed.”
Ted walked over and lifted Mia up under the arms. She still had her legs crossed. She put one leg down. “Who do I remind you of, cousin?”
Lazar burst out laughing.
That’s when Sally saw he was wearing a prosthesis. There was a lot of love in this house, and she wanted in.
Dieter approached her. “Your aura is green. You are a protector of the earth.”
“Thank you, I didn’t know.”
“I’m adopted.”
“Thank you for telling me, I would never had guessed,” Sally said. “I’m an orphan too.”
Cid, who was dragged into the kitchen by the food bags, called, “Sally, if you don’t come and get something to eat, it will all be gone.”
Mia put her other leg down. “Don’t worry, we ordered pizza. Ethan will be bringing it at any minute.”
“That’s a lovely dress you’re wearing,” Sally said.
“It’s my date-night dress,” Mia said proudly. “I picked it out myself.”
“You said that as if it’s an issue,” Sally noticed.
“When you’re short, people are constantly picking you up and trying to dress you.”
Genevieve burbled as if to agree with her mother.
“She likes you,” Mia said. “Well, then it’s decided, we’ll keep you. Cid can find another Sally.”
“Cid will never find another Sally,” Ted said. He took Genevieve out of Sally’s arms. “Come on, Cid needs a cheerleader.”
“Go on, you know you want to cartwheel your way in,” Mia said, still trying to wake up her legs.
“You’re scary and most likely a mind reader,” Sally guessed.
Mia smiled. “Nah, I just sense a kindred spirit. Speaking of spirits, I wonder where Faye and Murph went to?”
“He was very kind and visited me at the Leighton Facility.”
“I think he was checking you out,”
