She glanced across the table. Amber had asked her something. “I’m sorry, sweetie. My mind wandered. What did you say?”
“Would you tell Daddy I ate all my salad?”
“Absolutely. If you eat all of it.”
A dramatic sigh and big pout preceded Amber’s reply. “I didn’t think you would.” She jabbed a fork in a piece of tomato. “This is the only part that’s not yucky.”
“You know what? I didn’t like salad when I was your age either.”
Eyes wide, Amber said, “You didn’t?”
“Nope. Then I realized that lettuce didn’t taste like anything. All I had to do was chew it and swallow. Besides, I wanted to set a good example for my little brothers.”
“You got little brothers?”
“They’re not so little anymore. All grown up, handsome, twenty-year-old twins.”
“I wish I had a brother.”
Marla laughed. “Careful what you wish for.”
Head cocked like a curious puppy, Amber asked, “Why?”
The comment had gone right past the little girl’s head. Not used to talking to children, Marla realized she’d have to pay more attention to her words. “Nothing, I’m just teasing. Now finish up and we’ll clear the table.”
Another tortured sigh. “Ooookay.”
Marla rinsed dishes and placed them in the bright new LG dishwasher. Dwayne had updated the old Crocker house. She admired the top-of-the-line Jenn-Air stove. The cupboard hardware looked modern, and the faux-wood floor was definitely a new addition.
Amber handed over her empty plate and Skipper’s empty dish.
Marla smiled and took it from her. “See, that wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“No, but I still don’t like green stuff. Do you like Cinderella?”
“I love Cinderella! Why?”
“Daddy borrowed me a new DVD from the liberry, Barbie Cinderella. Wanna watch it?”
“I can’t think of anything Skippy would rather do than cuddle in your lap and watch Cinderella.” Marla hung the damp dishtowel on the oven door bar.
Dwayne’s truck peeled onto the gravel jobsite lot just as two men jumped into a truck loaded with tools and equipment. He slammed on his brakes, activated his car alarm, grabbed his Louisville Slugger, threw open his door, and ran toward them.
The red-bearded driver got the truck started just as Dwayne smashed the windshield and driver’s side window. The man threw open his door and knocked Dwayne off his feet. Then he jumped out and made a grab for his throat. Dwayne blocked him with a stiff-arm to the chin. The guy went down on his butt with a thump and raised a cloud of dust.
Exchanging punches, the two men struggled. Dwayne had gained the upper hand when the other guy jumped on his back and knocked him down again. A hard elbow to the jerk’s neck had him clutching his throat, gasping to breathe.
“Nobody messes with my boys!”
From the corner of his eye he saw Miss Emmaline charge from the door of the building wielding a broom like a weapon. “Get back inside!” he yelled.
She didn’t slow down. “Don’t you tell me what to do, young man,” she snarled, then walloped one of the men on the head with her broom. She landed another whack on side of the guy’s shoulder, then pointed the bristles at his face and jabbed.
He fell back howling and raised his arms to protect his eyes. “Stop it, you crazy old bitch!”
“That does it!” Dwayne’s jaw tightened. He struggled to his feet and slammed his elbow hard against the man’s nose. Bone cracked. Blood spurted as the bastard fell to his knees.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Emmaline growled at the driver trying to get back in the vehicle.
The creep scooped a handful of gravel and flung it at her. Her glasses went flying and she staggered back.
“Why, you cretin, you scoundrel.” She raised the broom again. Dwayne moved to shield her.
Cluny’s big green muscle car slid to a skidding halt a few feet from them. Doors flew open. Cluny, Slim, and Jack leaped out, all carrying baseball bats. Cluny ran to the man standing by the open truck door and slammed the bat hard into the guy’s solar plexus, doubling him over.
“Better think twice before you mess with a bunch of Marines, pal!” He shoved him to the ground.
Slim and Jack used their bats to break the headlights and the rest of the windows in the truck.
Dwayne shook his head at the ringing in his ears. “At ease, men.”
It was over as quick as it started. Sirens howled in the distance. A beat-up blue car that had been parked at the curb, engine idling, tore off like a rocket and disappeared around the corner. Dwayne was sure he’d seen the driver before but couldn’t place the bastard. Was he part of this crew or just a curious onlooker?
Dwayne retrieved Miss Emmaline’s glasses from the ground and put his arm around her bony shoulders. “What did you think you were doing, old woman?”
“Don’t you ‘old woman’ me, youngster. I can give as good as I get. Always could.” She straightened her spine and in a universal womanly gesture, smoothed her hair. “That’ll teach them.”
Dwayne laughed and swept her off her feet. Against her struggles, he whirled her around and gave her a crushing hug.
“What am I gonna do with you?”
She pounded his big shoulders. “You should be more concerned about what I’m going to do with you once you put me down, you good-for-nothing.” She kissed his cheek.
Chapter Five
Dempsey had been gone for three hours. The tension in Marla’s neck got worse by the minute. She tried his cell number only to hear it ringing on the floor by the front door. He’d been in such an all-fired hurry to leave he hadn’t noticed he’d dropped it. Amber slept against the cushions at the corner of the sofa while Skipper snored on the child’s chest, his nose buried under her chin.
At the sound of Dwayne’s truck engine, Marla jumped to her feet. Skipper’s ears perked up and he raised his head. “Good
