Sweet Solace (The Seattle Sound Series Book 1) by Alexa Padgett

Author:Alexa Padgett [Padgett, Alexa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sidecar Press, LLC
Published: 2016-06-21T21:00:00+00:00

We’d just finished cleaning the kitchen when Abbi walked in. She kissed my non-bruised cheek and gave her aunt a hug. “I’m glad you came. I’ve been worried about Mom. You know how she tries to be tough. I didn’t know how hard to push her about going to the hospital.”

“You did just right, Abs,” Briar said, returning the embrace.

“But we’re still talking about you not having your phone on,” I said, my voice stern because I couldn’t transform my face into its mom look.

“I feel really bad. I already put my laptop in your office. I told Sally and Luke I couldn’t hang out after school this week, and I was probably going to be stuck in with you this weekend, which totally sucks because Luke’s going to Coeur d’Alene to catch some outdoor concert Saturday.”

“You’re going to be stuck with me. We’re having house guests.”

Abbi’s eyes flitted to Briar.

“Don’t look at me like that.” Briar laughed. She’d finished loading the dishwasher and was now in the process of spreading her paperwork across my kitchen table. I rolled my eyes when she smeared a drop of tomato sauce across a printout. She’d never learned to wipe up all the way.

“Who’s coming? Aunt El and Uncle Simon?”

“Can I tell her?” Briar asked, her grin widening. “Nah, you tell her.”

“Asher wanted to come out and make sure I’m not broken. He’s bringing his son with him.”

“Mom!” Abbi shrieked. One of those nuclear siren sounds that made my teeth ache. “This is a monumental. He asked to come see you?”

“He asked her to take down her dating profile,” Briar said. I glared while Briar smirked.

“Abigail, I expect you to not make a bigger deal out of this than it is.”

She snorted. “Whatever. Can I go take the profile down? You have like four hundred e-mails.”

“Seriously? That’s insane,” I said.

“You’re beautiful, Mom. Even the guys at my school think so.”

“That’s disturbing. I don’t want high school boys to look at me at all. I’ll deal with the profile.”

“Does this mean Asher is your boyfriend?” Abbi asked, bouncing on her heels.

“No, Abigail. It means you need to calm down. He’s a friend. And I think he needs to talk about his divorce. Please be cool about this. Please.”

I was pathetic, begging my daughter, but I’d heard the hurt in Asher’s voice.

“Fine,” Abbi muttered. “I’m going to my room.”

“You don’t want to hang out with us?” Briar asked.

Abbi narrowed her eyes and puckered her lips. “No. I’m going to go listen to Supernaturals. Brush up on the lyrics.”

“So tell me why you’re looking for work at other papers,” I said once Briar and I were settled on the couch.

Briar hesitated, her forehead puckering. “You really think Ken is an asshole?”

Ah. Her relationship with the doctor had been a surprise. He’d pursued her with a zeal that would flatter any woman.

“Do you love him?” I asked.

Briar’s eyes clouded. Slowly, she shook her head.

“They why do you stay?” I kept my voice gentle.

Her mouth was a taut line.

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