He was already moving. I grabbed a dish towel and flapped at the smoke detector, feeling like an idiot. What kind of CEO can’t even make toast?
“What’s happening? Is the house on fire?” Paris appeared in the doorway, wild curls sticking out everywhere, eyes wide.
“No, honey, just burnt toast,” I said, still flapping the towel. “I’ll help you get ready for school in a minute. Go pick out what color hair clips you want in your hair today.”
“I smell burning,” Rome said, appearing behind his sister, looking interested. “Can I see?”
“Nothing to see,” I said as the alarm finally stopped. “Just your mother failing at breakfast.”
“Again,” Austin added.
“Again,” I agreed, forcing a smile. “Who wants cereal instead?”
By the time Michael stumbled into the kitchen carrying Aspen, I’d managed to serve cereal without incident. Small victory.
“Morning,” Michael mumbled. He planted Aspen in his booster chair and headed straight for the coffee pot, as I put a bowl of dry Cheerios and a sippy cup in front of Aspen.
“You’re up early.”
“Couldn’t sleep,” I said, taking the bowls to the sink. “Thought I’d get a head start on the day.”
“By setting off the smoke alarm?”
“That was unintended.”
Michael studied me over his coffee mug. In the five months he’d been helping out around here, my brother had developed an annoying ability to read my moods. “You miss him.”
I didn’t pretend not to understand. “It’s been five days.”
“Yeah. And?”
Whatever he was about to say was cut off by the phone ringing.
I glanced at the clock—6:32 a.m. Too early for a social call. I dried my hands and reached for the wall phone.
“Hello?”
“Theresa.” Arthur Vance’s voice sent ice through my stomach. “You need to come to the office. Immediately.”
This wasn’t a friendly check-in. This was a summons.
“What’s happened?” I asked, turning away from Michael’s stare.
“Not over the phone,” Arthur said. “Just get here as soon as you can.” He hung up.
I stood there holding the receiver, dread spreading through my chest.
“Who was that?” Michael asked.
“Arthur,” I said. “Something’s happened at the office. I need to go in.”
“Now?” Michael glanced at the clock. “It’s not even seven.”
“I know, but—” I gestured at the phone. “He wouldn’t say what it was.”
Michael sighed. “Go. Shelly will be down in a minute and we’ll finish feeding the troops. Then we’ll get everyone to school. Don’t worry.”
I gave his arm a quick squeeze. “You’re a lifesaver. I’ll call once I know something.”
