A frown takes over my face at the thought of Raine being forced to ride in the back of a police cruiser, and Luke catches my disappointment. “It was all a joke. She was totally cool with it.” He holds his hands up like he’s the guilty one—ironic, with him being a policeman.
“Some people never grow up,” Zane utters, and both Luke and I whip our faces his way and glare at him. “What?”
Luke exhales loudly next to me. He shakes his head, and I can see the worry written on his face, deepening the lines by his mouth. He looks exhausted.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, the question pulling him from his thoughts.
“I just hate seeing her like that. She clearly hadn’t been taking care of herself, and I wish there was something that I could do to help.”
“Like forcing her into the back of your police car?”
“It lightened the mood. She laughed about it.” Luke waves a hand at me.
“So, she’s staying at Olivia’s? For how long?” The question comes out fast, my need to know overtaking me.
Luke shrugs his shoulders, his eyes moving toward the back door. I hear the sound of it sliding open before a small squeal leaves Annabelle’s mouth. I turn and open my arms for her, but she completely ignores me and rushes toward Zane.
“Uncle Z!!!”
I glance over at Luke, whose outstretched arms drop beside him, and a look of defeat washing over his face. I chuckle, butit's cut short with his fist on my shoulder. I rub against the skin, frowning at my best friend.
“There’s my girl!” Zane howls with joy, wrapping Annabelle into a tight hug. “Guess who brought you a cookie.”
Annabelle’s face lights up as she begins to jump up and down. Zane gives me a smug look that I wish I could wipe off his face. She searches for said cookie in Zane’s hand and turns at the crackling sound from the plastic bag I hold.
“Yes, he did, but you have to wait until after dinner.”
Zane and Annabelle groan in defeat. Luke, however, beams and holds up the bag in his hand. “Aunt Liv made you an organic, naturally sweetened muffin that I’m sure Daddy will approve of.” He looks at Zane, lifting a brow that saysI win.
Annabelle’s squeals return as she runs toward Luke, leaping into his arms, and his smile spreads like the Cheshire Cat fromAlice in Wonderland. Zane huffs in defeat as Annabelle peeks into the bag.
“If I let you have half of it, do you promise me you’ll eat all of your dinner?” I say, giving in to the pouted lip she has mastered.
“Yes, yes, yes!”
“Uncle Luke, break off half for her please.”
Luke does as I ask, but he gives Annabelle the piece that is bigger before placing the rest back into the bag and handing it to me. I roll my eyes at the pleased look on his face before going into the house to hide the treats. I check inside the crock pot and see that the roast I put in this morning is just about ready.
I jump at the sight of both Zane and Luke peeking their heads inside the back door, both of them sniffing the air. Annabelle skips her way inside, grabbing Zane’s hand and pulling him into the living room.
“Is that roast I smell?” Zane asks, his mouth practically watering with the question.
“Yup.”
“Is there enough for me?” Luke asks, slipping past me andraising the lid to get a better sniff. I swat him away and shove him out of the kitchen.
I did, in fact, make plenty in hopes of having some for leftovers this week. If I’m going to share my food, they will have to earn it. A thought crosses my mind, and now I’m the one with a Cheshire Cat smile. Luke’s brows draw together in question.
“Hey, Annabelle. This is the perfect time for you to use your new nail polish set I got for you. I’m sure your uncles won’t mind helping you practice.”
“You traitor,” Luke whispers as Zane releases the hold Annabelle had on him, as if her hands are on fire. She giggles and claps her hands together before running down the hallway toward her bedroom.
“Come on now, it’s an uncle's job to keep the princess happy. Don’t you want to win at this little game you two are playing for the title of favorite uncle?” What I don't say is how my toes are currently painted bright yellow and it’s time for someone else to be Annabelle’s canvas.
“Oh, it’s clearly me, seeing that I’m blood-related and all,” Zane proclaims and takes a seat at the dining room table.
Luke takes a seat next to him, shoving him a bit with his elbow, and adds, “Yeah, but blood doesn’t always make you family.”
