He raised up his hand. “Hi five, Mommie.”
“Hi five,” she echoed, following through on her words.
Satisfied, CJ turned to the children. “My room,” he yelled, starting a chorus of shrieks.
Rory grinned, bouncing up and down, forgetting Kendall’s strict rules about inside and outside behavior.
Clearing her throat, Kendall narrowed her eyes at Rory and he snapped his mouth shut. The kids raced away, leaving Rory behind. His little chin wobbled and tears filled his eyes. He sniffled, staring at his mother. Annoyance tightened her face.
“Time out, young man. I’ve told you not to raise your voice inside. As punishment, you’ll sit in the middle of this floor, by yourself with the lights off, for thirty minutes.” Kendall looked at Meggie. “Let’s go. We’ll leave him alone so he can think about his actions. He wants to act like a barbarian, I’ll treat him like one. Some children have parents who care about manners.”
Meggie stiffened, picking up on her dig at CJ. “Some parents have happy children.”
Glaring at Kendall, Zoann left Fee’s side to kneel in front of Rory. “Go play,” she instructed.
Not moving, he looked at Kendall, the tears sliding down his cheeks and the plea in his eyes almost too much for Fee. Rory was Kendall’s son, so how she chastised him was her business. Fee wouldn’t want anyone interfering with her parenting. In this instance, though, she was happy her sister attempted to intercede. Not that it worked.
“You move and I’ll spank you,” Kendall warned, prompting growls from both Zoann and Meggie.
Fee had an idea. “I’m really tired,” she interjected. “Can Rory help me to my room, Kendall? Maybe, as a reward he can join CJ in his room?”
“He can help you, but he returns here and sits on the floor until I tell him to get up.”
“Rory, please help Aunt Fee to her room,” Meggie instructed with a smile. “Remember the one me, you, and CJ brought the big bouquet of flowers to a little while ago?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
His sad little voice broke Fee’s heart, and she smiled at him. “Can he keep me company?” Anything rather than him sitting on the floor, alone, in a darkened hallway, while the adults ate and the other children played.
“Perhaps, after his punishment, he can return to keep you company, Fee,” Kendall replied, not budging.
Rory’s face fell.
Zoann hugged him. “Hold Cousin Fee’s hand all the way there. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then, go play.” Meggie’s look dared Kendall to refute her.
Kendall’s face reddened. “Son…”
Megan took her cell phone from her pocket and pressed a couple of buttons. “Hey,” she greeted. “I know you just got back to the club, but why don’t you come over and eat with us?” Taking the phone from her ear, she put it on speakerphone. “Could you repeat that, Johnnie?”
Kendall paled. Smirking, Zoann got to her feet. Rory’s face lit up, his eyes brightening.
“I said I’ll be right over, sweetheart. Is my gorgeous wife still there?”
“Yeppers. So’s Rory. Still enjoying himself with his cousins.” Meggie grinned at Kendall, a cold look she’d adopted from Christopher. “Isn’t that right, Kendall?”
“Hi, Johnnie,” Kendall called, sending Meggie a violent glower. “Rory’s just fine. About to help Fee to her room. He’s such a little gentleman.”
Yeah, but at the cost of being a kid.
“Good job, Rory!” Johnnie complimented. “Are you helping the boys look after your mother, cousins, and aunts?”
“Yes, sir, Father,” Rory cried, tears still evident in his voice.
“What’s the matter, son?” The pleasure in Johnnie’s voice was gone. “Are you okay? Are you playing with the boys?”
“He fell, Johnnie,” Kendall rushed out, “running to take Fee’s hand to bring her to her room.”
Johnnie cleared his throat. “That’s my boy. I’m so proud of you.”
Rory’s hurt went away and he nodded, not realizing his father couldn’t see him.
“I had them in CJ’s playroom all morning, working on art projects.”
Silence met Kendall’s lie. Likely, she took credit for Bunny’s job.
“Right, gorgeous,” he said, as if he didn’t believe her.
Kendall gave Rory a thoughtful stare. “How long will it be before you arrive?”
“I’ll be there soon.”
“Rory has been asking for you,” Meggie interjected. “Why don’t you talk to him on your way over here, Johnnie? Cheer him up from his fall.”