Operation Bailey Birthday by Piper Rayne

Author:Piper Rayne [Rayne, Piper]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Piper Rayne, Inc.

7

Maven Bailey

(Ten years old)

Stella and Kingston’s Eldest Daughter

* * *

“What are these called again?” I ask mom before biting into the hard oval candy.

“Jordan Almonds,” Mom answers, helping Mabel tie the ribbon around the box.

Dad picks up four and puts them in a box, then he passes it to me to put on the lid and tie the ribbon. We have two assembly lines going.

I chew and swallow the sweet hard candy mixed with a nut. “I don’t like them.”

My dad laughs. “Yeah, I’m not a fan either.”

“It’s tradition,” Mom says. “Did you know that your great-grandma’s birthday is the same day as her wedding anniversary with your great-grandfather?” She’s switching from Maisey to Mabel, helping each tie the ribbons.

Dad sees her struggling and turns his attention to Maisey for a minute.

To everyone in Lake Starlight, we’re the three M’s. The Bailey M’s—Maven, Maisey and Mabel. Either that or we get called Kingston’s kids or Stella’s babies. None of the nicknames are good ones. My sisters and I are each two years apart as if our parents are the best planners in the world. Last year Dad did something and now they say there will be no more kids. I don’t really know what it was, but my dad was walking around with a frozen bag of peas for a few days. Maybe they ran out of names starting with M’s that they liked.

“The Jordan Almonds are a way of remembering their anniversary too…” Mom continues talking to my little sister.

Mom’s eyes meet Dad’s across the table. They smile at one another before continuing to fill the boxes for Great-Grandma Dori’s birthday party.

“Did you hear that Maverick is back?” my dad asks, clearing his throat only speaking to my mom.

“Does this mean you’ll be MIA tonight, playing his new game?” Mom chuckles. She’s always laughing at Dad, even though he’s not that funny.

“He’s dropping me off a copy. Ryder said it’s awesome. The changes he made…” Dad keeps talking about a video game that my oldest cousin, Maverick, made.

I see my mom getting bored. She doesn’t play video games. I watched my dad play once, but Maisey asks a lot of questions and it gets annoying. Plus, I’d rather read than play a video game.

Dad adds, “But it’s who he brought with him that’s the big news.”

“Who?” Mom perks up and looks at my dad.

“Tyler Vaughn’s niece.”

My mom’s mouth falls open like my little sisters’ used to when my mom would play airplane to feed them.

“Who’s that?” I ask.

Dad looks at me. “The guy who sings that song in the new animated movie. What’s it called?” His eyes narrow and he looks to Mom for the answer.

“That new princess movie, sweetie,” she says.

“Princess Helena?” Maisey asks with excitement.

Mom nods.

“That’s so cool.” Maisey leans back in her seat.

Mabel slumps over the table, looking bored and obviously done helping.

“It is cool, but he and Aunt Phoenix don’t get along,” Dad says.

“So?” I ask.

Dad tugs on one of my braids. “Sometimes people don’t like it when the people they love are with relatives of people they don’t like.

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