Smiling, I park and walk back inside, automatically going to the laundry room to start in on some of Chloe’s clothes. The job description doesn’t technically require me to do housework, and Rhodes has a housekeeper who comes in and does the bulk of the cleaning. But Chloe’s at school and I’m home and not busy, so I don’t mind rescuing him from Laundry Hell.
Same as I don’t mind washing her favorite cup or making sure his secret stash of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the freezer say hidden.
And anyway, her school day’s not long.
I barely have time to fold her clothes and finish up some items for the craft fair I have a booth at in a couple of weeks before I’m heading out the door again.
But it feels normal to be bustling around, nice to be busy zipping around places.
Today is no different.
We have our snack, walk to the park and do “so many” slides. Then we come home, start dinner, and sit down at the table to work on her blanket. She’s selecting the squares and I’m pinning them together when?—
The world goes funny.
The table starts vibrating, scattering pins this way and that. The plates and glasses begin rattling in the cabinets. And the floor rolls, ever so slightly.
Chloe’s eyes go wide. “What was that?” she whispers.
“Just a little earthquake,” I say calmly, even though my heart gives a little blip as I wait to see if the shaking is going to slow down…or ramp up.
Living in California means earthquakes happen. Most are so small you barely notice them. This is a bit bigger, but it’s over almost as soon as I realize it’s happening.
Still, Chloe slides off her chair and climbs into my lap, hugging me tight. “Is the house going to fall down?”
“No, baby. It’s already over.” I cuddle her close. “And the house was built to withstand big,bigearthquakes. This was just a little one. We’re absolutely fine.”
“Okay,” she whispers, but she doesn’t move for a few seconds.
And neither do I.
But when everything remains still and quiet, I tuck her hair back. “Should we keep working on our blanket or go on with making dinner?”
Her head cocks to the side, considering that. “Blanket.”
“That’s what I was hoping you’d say,” I tell her with a smile. “Because I found this fabric in my stash today.” I dig through the bin, pull it out. “What do you think?”
It’s pink rainbow metallic and…
Oh yeah, she loves it.
Rhodes’s call comes as she’s contemplating the best spot to place it.
“Finn?” he asks, worry stretching his voice taut.
“Hey.”
“Are you guys okay?”
“We’re fine,” I tell him, eyes going to Chloe. “Just a little shake.”
He exhales loudly.
I picture him wherever he is—probably at the rink—shoving a hand through his hair while he paces the halls.
“Chloe’s fine?” he asks, still tense.
“Yeah,” I say. “Do you want to talk to her? She’s right here.”
