Vortex (SAI Book 1) by Lea Hart Page B

down from ten in her head, she waited for the inquisition to commence. She made it to six when Essie threw out the first question. Let the games begin.
    “So, tell us about that young man who you brought along today?” Essie asked from her station behind the stove.
    “I’m sure Uncle Buck has already filled you all in, so why don’t you both ask what you really want to know.” Carefully, she arranged the eggs on a platter and started to fill them. “I know you two are not going to be happy until you feel like you have the full story.”
    Mama came to stand beside her and lifted her face up so they were staring into one another’s eyes. “I want all my children to be happy, and this is the first time I’ve seen you with a spark in your eyes in three years. Are you going kill the man, or are you going to love him?”
    “It’s hard to say at this point. It could go either way,” Vivi replied.
    Glancing over her shoulder, Val winked at Essie. “You were right, Essie. As usual. The two of them have some fire between them. I guess we just have to wait and see what they’re going to do with it.”
    Stirring the big pot on the stove, Essie beamed at Vivi. “I think you should let the man light your fire in the bedroom and not your temper. You’re due for some lovin’, and he seems like a man who can give it to you.”
    Vivi’s gaze bounced from her mama to Essie and back again. “You all have lost your mind.”
    “Oh, no, we haven’t,” Mama replied. “You don’t think you have another opportunity at happiness, and you do. Maybe it’s time you give it and that man a chance.” Carefully, she added a small shrimp to the top of each egg after Vivi filled it. “I bet he would agree with me too.”
    “Oh, he definitely would.” Essie added, “He’s opened himself up to the idea of you, and I’d say he’s got a plan on how he’s goin’ to convince you that you all should be together.”
    “Have you two been drinking?” She lifted her mama’s glass of iced tea and smelled it to make sure. “Joel has just decided that he doesn’t hate me. And that’s it.”
    “That’s not it . And you know it. So don’t insult us by trying to lie.” Val sprinkled paprika on the eggs and wiped her hands. Picking up the plate, she handed it to her daughter. “Go on out and put this on the table.”
    “Make sure that you let Joel know that you made them. He needs someone to take care of him,” Essie called.
    “He’s a retired SEAL. I don’t think he needs anything from anyone. He’s fully capable of taking care of himself,” Vivi replied as she sauntered out of the kitchen.
    “He needs someone to take care of his heart,” Essie replied quietly.
    “Amen,” Val replied. “It seems that we have some work in front of us, Essie. Let’s plan a big weekend at the horse farm for Vivi’s birthday. That will give them lots of time to get to know one another in a relaxed environment. Maybe we should send them up at the end of the week. It worked for Ronnie and Chase, and I see no reason why it couldn’t work for the two of them.”
    “Those two are not going to have an easy road, but everything tells me that they’re going to make it.”
    “I hope you’re right. Our Vivi needs someone to love, and Joel seems like a good man for the job.”
     
    ***
     
    Joel sat between Nana Boo and Aunt Lolly and tried to keep from fidgeting under their watchful gazes. There were some naval interrogators who could learn a thing or two from these two. “Well, I should go and check on Vivi.”
    A small, bony hand covered his arm as Nana Boo stopped him. “Not so fast, young man. We have a few more questions for you.” Leaning forward, she winked at Aunt Lolly. “I believe it was your turn, dear. Go ahead and ask him.”
    “I can tell that you like my grandniece, but I wonder why you’re fighting it.”
    Brushing his hand across his short hair, he tried to come up with a good answer. Glancing between the two women, he