Gill tossed the ledger down on the desk. “Three hundred dollars to get your grandfather unstuck, Chloe. Is he some kind of daredevil? I mean how many times can you shinny down a chimney and morph when the moon is out of sight?”
Rachel smiled as she laid more papers on the desk. “Lunch time boss man. Be back in an hour.”
Gill glanced at his watch, opened his mouth to speak, and all he saw was the hind quarters of Rachel as she trotted out the office door. He suspected she ran to keep out of what might become his and Chloe’s first marital spat. “Great, half the day spent paying the bills your family ran up so far. How about we go to Rattigan’s and see what Louie’s got on special?”
Had Chloe paled again? That was the second time today she’d blanched at the mention of food. Her consumption the last couple of weeks didn’t compare to her normal intake. She’d even slept in several mornings missing her work out with Rachel and Tyburn.
“I need to use the bathroom. I’ll be back in a moment.” Chloe gripped the arms of the chair she sat in for quite a few minutes. She slowly rose, looking down as she did. Gill glanced at the sheet on top of the latest stack of bills Rachel laid on his desk. Oh, double crap! In-laws and relatives oh my deities!
“Chloe, we need to talk. . .” His words trailed off as he watched Chloe rush out of his office. Great, first Rachel and now his bride.
Gill sighed and leafed through the other papers in the stack. Cuss words flowed in squirrel chirps and human verbals. Picking up the ledger and pen, he started figuring what the Peak could afford if Chloe’s family stayed much longer. Another bill for her grandfather--$300. The tooth marks on the oak pews of the century old church next door--$500. God what had gotten into her three year old nephew? And then there was her cousin who thought gnawing on the wooden pillars on city hall’s protocol was the right thing to do. The bill for that hadn’t come in yet.
The click of the door opening broke through his growing cloud of frustration and annoyance. A very pale Chloe slowly walked into the room. Her eyes darted left and right, meeting his for less than thirty seconds. She dropped back into the chair she occupied earlier.
Gill rose, closing the space between them quickly. Was she ill? Another issue with her family she didn’t know how to tell him about? He squatted next to the chair. Taking the hand closest to him, he spoke. “Love, what’s wrong?”
Chloe kept her gaze adverted. Gill swallowed. Something bothered her. He cupped her chin and tilted her head back. “Talk to me please. I’m here no matter what.”
Chloe licked her lips, looked up and spoke. “I think I’m pregnant.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy weekend Gang!
Wow, Chloe pregnant? Mayor Gill a dad? And there's Chloe's screwball family. How long are they going to hang around?
The Spice Homestead is getting back on our feet. As this weather decides to level out may you all find time to relax and come together in harmony and joy with your family as you vacation.
Remember to share a few good books with your loves and spice. I know I will!
Until next week,
Solara
3 comments:
Yikes! One surprise after another for our good mayor... I can't wait to see how he handles Chloe's most recent news. :)
Please let it be twins. Or triplets. That's how Gil's life runs.
I'm sure a lot of people believe elected officials and their cronies are a bunch of rodents, but this is taking things a bit too far.
Sure sounds like Chloe is with squirrel child.
Gil's inlaw problem. Here's the solution: let Loki and Thor loose on them. Talk about madcap fun and chaos for all.
Post a Comment