Biting her cheek to hold back a completely inappropriate laugh, Artie said, “Zoe Springfield. Who is responsible for our actions?”
“We are,” the girls chorused, and their rote response made Artie swallow another grin. It was obvious that both sisters had been in her class. Personal accountability was one of her preaching points.
“So who was responsible for Chase walking out onto the ice?”
That didn’t received the instant response that the first question did. “But I dared him,” Zoe finally protested.
“Which you shouldn’t have done. Chase can be obnoxious, but that doesn’t make it okay for you to be a bully.”
“I know.” Her voice was small.
“But no matter what you said, Chase was the one who made the decision to walk out on the ice. You are not responsible for his actions.”
The girls were quiet for a long minute. “Okay,” Zoe finally said, the one word weighed down with relief and exhaustion.
“So Zoe’s not going to jail?” Maya shoved the last bit of her protein bar into her mouth.
“Neither of you are going to jail,” Artie confirmed, pulling the water bottle away from her numb side, “but I have a feeling that you’re going to be grounded foryearsafter your dad hugs the stuffing out of you. You really scared him by running off like that.”
Both girls ducked their heads.
“I think this has melted a little. Anyone thirsty?”
After everyone had an inadequate sip of the water, the kids dozed off. Artie snuggled Maya a little closer. She had to keep all the day’s emotions, even the good ones, tucked away for a little longer. As she’d told the girls, it wasn’t crying time yet. And it wasn’t the time or place to let her heart run away with her, no matter how aware she was of Derek’s proximity.
“Is there anything more uncomfortable than sitting on rock with a kid on top of you?” she asked Derek quietly.
His low laugh made her skin feel warm. “Sitting on hot coals, maybe? Or sharpened stakes?”
Their arms were pressed together as they shared body heat and blanket space, and Derek’s shoulder was too tempting. Artie’s head tipped to the side until it rested on him.
“Maybe, but I doubt it,” she grumbled, making him laugh again. “Do you think you should send up another flare?”
“I will in ten minutes or so. By then, everyone should be close.” He rested his cheek against the crown of her head. “Today turned out pretty well, don’t you think?”
She snorted. “At times, it felt like we’d entered a hell dimension, but the kids are all safe, so we can call this a definite win.”
“I wouldn’t mind visiting hell dimensions as long as you’re with me.”
Her skin prickled with goose bumps at the admission. “Aw…thanks. I have to admit that you made a dilapidated shack seem like a palace. Apleasurepalace.” His soft laugh warmed her insides.
“I can’t believe you’re back with me.”
“Why is that so hard to believe?” she asked. “After all,youbroke up withme.”
“Only because I convinced myself you were better off without me and my criminal relations.” His voice held a note of bitterness. “Life without you, though…I didn’t think I’d survive it. After being drunk for a month, I sobered up and told my dad I wouldn’t be part of his business any longer. I was done.”
“What’d he say?”
“He laughed.”
She winced. “Sorry.”
Her head lifted, following his shoulder as he shrugged. “He stopped laughing when I quit taking jobs. I worked for Donnie at his auto shop for a while, and then Malcolm—you remember Mal?”
With a huff of a laugh, she asked, “How could I forget your darling brother, Mal? He used to call me Fartie.”
“I’d forgotten about that.” She could tell he was restraining a laugh. “Anyway, Mal was fed up with Dad’s shit, too, so we started our small-engine repair shop. It’s not the kind of money I could have made if I’d stayed with Dad, but I like the work, and there’s no threat of prison. Plus, since I’m the boss, I can drop everything to go on dive-team calls.”
