“This is all your Aunt Wynona’s fault, her and her mating agency,” her mother said indignantly. “She set this up, didn’t she?”
“I plead the fifth.” Daisy widened her eyes and looked innocent.
“I knew I should never have let you spend so much time at her house when you were younger. She gave you…ideas.” Her mother raked her with a scornful glance. “And cookies.”
Daisy stifled a snort of scorn. Phyllis had been more than happy to ship Daisy off to Wynona’s house; she was allergic to cubs. Why she’d ever had any was a mystery to Daisy.
“What difference does it make who arranged the date? Ryker contacted your pack and asked if it was okay for him to court me,” she said. “And you said yes. So too late. No takey backsies.” Technically it had been Walt who’d called, but either way, her mother had given permission.
“That was only when I thought the mating would never work out,” her mother said, looking wounded.
“I know,” Daisy said coldly. “But too late anyway.”
Jasmine’s grandmother walked up to them, wearing her scrubs and looking sweaty and tired. “Got called in to work today again, just when I got back home,” she said wearily to Daisy. “That’s twenty-four hours without sleep. Jasmine, are you ready to go?”
Daisy thrust the envelope with the tickets at her. “Hey, want a free vacation to a luxury ranch for two, plane tickets included?” she said. She nodded her head at Frasier. “This is on him,” she said. “He came here today looking for a deserving single parent to reward for all of their hard work, and he picked you.”
“Oh my goodness, for me?” Marta squealed. “I’ve never won anything before! But – who would watch Jasmine?”
“I could figure something out for you,” Daisy said. “Or she could go with you when you both have some vacation time.”
“Thank you so much!” The woman launched herself at Frasier, who flinched in horror and tried to dodge her hug, but failed.
“Stop that! Your uniform isn’t clean!” he wailed. “You’re hugging me too hard! Dear Lord, do I have Ebola now?”
“Be careful of him,” Daisy called out. “He’s a delicate flower.”
“Daisy, really.” Her mother shook her head reprovingly.
Jasmine snickered quietly behind her hand. “Well played,” she said as Daisy backed away slowly. “Hey, are you coming back here tomorrow?”
“Of course. I work here. Why wouldn’t I come back?”
Jasmine shrugged. “Teachers leave all the time.”
It was true – this wasn’t exactly a plum assignment.
“I’ll be here. Well, toodles, everyone,” Daisy said, and she hurried off as Frasier frantically struggled to get free from Jasmine’s grandmother
“This isn’t over!” Daisy’s mother called out after her.
* * * * *
Tuesday evening
Larissa was sitting on the rocking chair on the front porch when Daisy pulled up to Ryker’s house at the end of the day.
“What’s up?” Daisy asked her as she climbed the steps. “No work today?”
Larissa worked as a secretary at a temp agency.
“Yeah, no work. Just came over to make absolutely sure you’re not being held hostage.” Larissa made a face and looked around. “This is really…country.”
Daisy stifled a flare of annoyance. It wasn’t what she was used to, but she liked it out here. The people were decent and welcoming and genuine.
“Yes, that’s because it’s not in the city,” she said shortly. “You came over by yourself?”
Larissa scowled. “Cadence isn’t speaking to me for some reason. She’s got some bug up her butt.”
Well, that was going to make for an awkward dinner Wednesday night, Daisy thought.
Larissa followed Daisy into the house, and Daisy reluctantly went and got iced tea for both of them.
“Where’s Ryker?” Larissa asked, looking around.
“He’s at work. He’ll be home in a few hours.” Ryker had texted her that afternoon, saying he’d bring home dinner for them. The two of them had spent a polite, somewhat awkward evening on Monday night before she went off to sleep in her own room. Knowing that the relationship had a time limit made things weird, so after dinner Daisy had fled the living room and spent the evening reading by herself. Ryker had poked his head in once to ask if she wanted to sit out on the back porch with him, but she’d turned him down. She had a feeling that the best way to get through this was to avoid him as much as she could.