A Place Called Home by Jo Goodman Page A

need nails to match. No on the tongue stud, though, otherwise I won’t know what to get her for her sixteenth birthday.” Silence. “I’m kidding about the birthday present.”
    “Oh, yes. Of course.”
    Mitch could only shake his head. Even Emilie had gotten the joke quicker. Maybe the phone wasn’t a good medium for his half wit. “If you want to bring something with you, I don’t really see the problem. Just make it something you can do with them.”
    “All right.”
    “And, Thea?”
    “Hmmm?”
    “Thanks for asking.” He fumbled with the opening on his boxers. “I’ve got to go now.” He hadn’t meant it as a literal description of his current bodily needs, but the alacrity with which the phone went dead told him Thea had taken it that way. Heat crept into his cheeks as he set the phone on the sink top. “You’re smooth, Mitch Baker. Real smooth.”
     
     
    Thea pulled up to Mitch’s redbrick Colonial and parked on the street behind a bright yellow SUV. Feeling decidedly unhip for herself and her classic Volvo, Thea patted the dashboard lightly. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe.”
    Inside the house the curtains in the living room fell back into place. Case flopped dramatically onto the sofa. “Aunt Thea’s here!” With the gap in his front teeth, he was announcing the arrival of someone named Anthea. “And she’s talkin’ to her car!”
    “Go open the garage door, Mega-mouth,” Mitch told him. “Let her in.” He gave Gina a nudge off the arm of the chair he was sitting in so he could get up. Emilie and Grant had already dropped the Wii game controls and were running after their brother.
    Gina flicked her wrist and looked at her watch. “Well, she’s on time. That’s something.”
    Mitch shot her a glance. “Be nice.” He hadn’t missed the fact that Gina had been edgy since she showed up. He didn’t even want to think what that was about. Taking her hand, Mitch gave a tug. With only minimal resistance, Gina let herself be pulled along. By the time they reached the garage, she was practically curled around his arm.
    Thea dropped the box she was carrying as the twins and Emilie launched themselves at her. To keep from getting bowled over, she fell to her knees in the driveway. Case and Grant were like frisky puppies while Emilie got an arm around her torso and held on.
    “Goodness,” Thea said. “What a welcome!” She managed to close in on all three and squeezed. Over the top of Emilie’s dark head she saw Mitch walking out of the garage sporting a stunning young woman where his right arm used to be. She closed her eyes against that feline smile. “Ooooh! I’ve missed you guys.” They loosened their grips enough so that she could get a good look at them. “Should I pinch cheeks?”
    Grant gave her an impish smile and patted his behind.
    “Grant Reasoner!” Thea exclaimed. “Don’t tempt me.” She made a play for his bottom but he scampered backward, almost falling on it in his eagerness to get out of reach. “That would have served you right.” She looked at Case who was shifting his weight in anticipation that she would go after him. Loath to disappoint, Thea reached around Emilie, her fingers and thumb curled like pincers. Case laughed and danced away. “What happened to your tooth? Did your brother knock it out?”
    Both boys thought that was funny. Emilie just shook her head at their laughter. “They’re being stupid,” she confided to Thea. “Uncle Mitch says it’s what they do. Like it’s their job or something.”
    Thea nodded solemnly. “I’m afraid he’s right.”
    Emilie had already perfected the long-suffering sigh. She used it to great effect now.
    Thea captured Emilie’s rounded chin in her pincers and held on. Unlike the boys, Emilie didn’t try to get away. She stared back through great, dark green eyes, the centers so wide at the moment that Thea could almost see herself mirrored there. Here was beauty ripening, Thea thought. Not that