Relative Justice (Hazard and Somerset: Arrows in the Hand Book 1) by Gregory Ashe

Author:Gregory Ashe [Ashe, Gregory]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Hodgkin & Blount
Published: 2021-10-04T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

NOVEMBER 3

SUNDAY

1:42 PM

“MUFFIN,” AILEEN Hazard said as Hazard helped Colt through the front door. Hazard tried to hold down the sigh that was already rising; he had made the call this morning only under duress—he had, after all, ignored her calls for the last few days—and only because Somers had insisted they needed backup. His mother had been considered a beauty when she had been young, and it still showed in her face. She wore her hair short, the way she had most of Hazard’s life, and dark going to gray. She was tall and willowy, and she was holding a Nerf gun loosely aimed at Evie, who took advantage of the opening to fire a foam dart at Aileen’s ankle. “You didn’t tell me he was such a handsome young man.”

“Um, thanks,” Colt said, blinking at Aileen and then turning to Hazard. “Who’s she?”

“My mom,” Hazard said.

“Hello, muffin,” she said, bussing his cheek. “And you must be Colt.”

“Muffin?” Colt asked.

“Drop it,” Hazard growled.

“It’s so nice to meet you. My goodness, you have beautiful eyes. I bet you have girls and boys falling all over themselves for you. And John-Henry!” This last part was delivered with a gushing joy that Hazard thought, all things considered, gratuitous and slightly nauseating. “Perfect as ever.”

“Ask him when he did the laundry last,” Hazard said as he helped Colt toward the living room. “Then tell me he’s perfect.”

“Hello, Aileen.” Somers said with a grin that Hazard could hear in his voice. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Are you kidding? Anything to get me out of that house to see this beautiful little girl. And this handsome young man, of course.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” Colt said as Hazard eased him down onto the couch.

“That’s interesting,” Hazard said. “Mom, come here. Colt wants to tell you what he’s gotten up to the last few days.”

“Oh Colt, I’d love to hear about that. Was it exciting? Did you meet someone?”

“Go on, Colt. Tell her.”

Colt set his jaw.

“Understood?” Hazard asked.

“Fine,” Colt snapped.

“Mom, John and I have to get back to work. Are you sure you’re ok with this?”

“Of course.” Aileen laughed with delight when Evie popped out from around the corner and shot her with another dart. Aileen fired—wildly inaccurately—and laughed even harder.

“Thank God I got my hand-eye coordination from my dad,” Hazard muttered.

“She’s your mom,” Colt said.

“She’s a terrible shot. That’s what she is.”

“You can’t say stuff like that about your mom.”

“You should see him when he has to pick out a gift for her,” Somers said with a grin.

“Oh my God. I bet he’s the worst.”

“Oh no,” Aileen said, smiling at Hazard. “Muffin is always so thoughtful. He got me that belt sander last Christmas.”

“A belt sander?” Colt asked.

“And that was only because I intervened,” Somers said. “He wanted to buy her a shipping container of undyed wool.”

“She likes knitting—” Hazard drew himself up. “No. I am not having this argument again.”

Colt flashed another of those rare, huge smirks.

“If you’ve finished dissecting my failings as a son—” Hazard began

“Not even close,” Somers murmured.

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