Beautiful Bounty(29)

“Ronnie has always had a good appetite. Lucky girl, burns calories while sleeping. She’s always been blessed with a great metabolism. But, she has always been very active and athletic. She runs, hikes, and is always keeping busy. I, on the other hand, have a desk job.” She smiled at the young man. Lou picked up the flaky pastry, and bit into the tender layers. “Mmm,” she moaned. “Delicious.”

“Enjoy it,” he laughed at her simple pleasure. “I could bring more of those tomorrow,” he teased, as she stuffed her face with the pastry for a second time.

Lou chewed and swallowed, moaned her pleasure, and couldn’t resist adding, “If you show up with these again tomorrow, I’ll slam the door in your face.”

He laughed liking this side of Mrs. Russell very much. He now knew where Ronnie got her sharp tongue, and quick wit.

Ronnie wasn’t much longer. Both he and Louisa had finished their pastries and he his coffee when she emerged from her bedroom looking fresh and clean. She wore denim shorts, and from the way they stretched across her rear he could tell they were probably her mothers who didn’t have the curves her daughter had in that particular area. She also wore a simple black tank top. Her hair was towel dried, and lay in long wavy layers framing her oval face, the few pinkish highlights looking darker when wet.

“This is a nice surprise,” she said as she approached and her mom poured her a coffee. Her smile was pure mischief as she looked from her mom and back to Nikko again. Mother and daughter exchanged looks, Ronnie looking all innocent, and her mother all-knowing. She peered into the box of pastries and selected a rainbow cookie and put it on a napkin before her.

“I mentioned I’d pop in,” he laughed indicating her mom with a nod of his head. His eyes said back me up on this.

She laughed before answering. “Yes, yes you did. Really, Mom. Should have mentioned it, sorry.” She gave her mom her innocent smile, and then turned to Nikko, “Too bad my lawyer’s on his way. Should be here in thirty minutes or so,” she added before sinking her little pearl white teeth into the small cookie. “Delicious,” she pronounced before taking another bite.

“Your mom was telling me,” he put in, and continued. “I have heard of him. Very good.” He wanted to offer her encouragement. “A lucky break he is family to your mom’s friend. He is in demand. He actually got a few of our clients off, but pricey.” From Ronnie’s reaction he could kicked himself. Definitely not the right thing to say after last night’s ordeal. From Lou’s expression as well, it appeared to be a double faux pas on his part. Lou in fact, blanched, and Ronnie’s head swung to her mother.

“Don’t worry about it Veronica,” her mom cautioned, giving him a sharp unappreciative look.

Ronnie was about to speak. She’d forgotten about the attorney’s fees. Hells bells, one more thing to weigh on her mom, and her. She closed her mouth, not wanting to worry her mom or upset her. She looked pale, and again Ronnie couldn’t help but notice it looked like she’d lost weight recently.

“Veronica, one day at a time. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some paperwork to take care of in my room. I’ll let you visit with Nikko until your lawyer gets here.” Before either could protest, she was half way out of the room making a hasty retreat. The pastry was about to come up, and the last thing she wanted her daughter and her friend to see was her throwing up.

“Shit, Ronnie. I’m sorry,” he quickly apologized. “I wanted to provide support, be a good friend, and it seems I upset you and your mother by mentioning the cost. I really didn’t mean to do that.” Nikko’s face showed his concern.

Not wanting it to spoil their visit, she shrugged nonchalantly trying to ease his worry. “Don’t worry about it,” she smiled popping the rest of the rainbow cookie into her mouth. Nikko smiled back, and when he smiled at her like that, her stomach fluttered. Damn, he was just too good looking.

Over her coffee, Ronnie eyed her visitor. Dressed down in jeans and a simple grey t-shirt, he looked delectable. His blue eyes popped and sparkled against his tan face. The man was beautiful, she thought again. What he saw in her petite, overly curvy stature, she would never know.

“Fo’getta bout it,” she added letting him off the hook. Ronnie couldn’t help but laugh at her horrible imitation of a New York accent. They both did.

Nikko sputtered over the last sip of his coffee. “That’s bad, Ronnie, real bad. Good thing you didn’t take up acting,” he teased. The tension evaporated.