He’s not having it. “Out. Both of you. Before I commit deep fried crimes in front of the child.”
August looks up from the fort. “What’s confused in his pants?”
I make a strangled sound.
August heard every word. “I want to catch a Prince. Blue Rex does, too.”
Sophie grabs Lottie by the arm. “And that is our cue.”
Brittany cackles. “Bye, August. Your snacks are in the pantry.”
“Bye,” August says, then looks at Derby. “What’s pants confusion?”
“Taxes,” Derby says.
I stare at him.
He shrugs. “First thing I thought of.”
“Is taxes bad?” August asks.
“Yes,” Derby and Sophie say together.
That distracts him long enough for Sophie, Lottie, and Brittany to gather their things. Sophie stops beside me on her way out. Her eyes search my face.
“You okay?” she asks softly.
I nod.
She doesn’t believe me, but she lets it stand.
“Call if you need anything. I mean anything. Since we’re leaving you with Mr. Funny Pants.”
“I will.”
“Derby knows the number too.”
Derby mutters from the floor, “Derby knows many numbers. And that yours is about to be up.”
Sophie ignores him. “Legend has men posted down the road. Not close enough to bother you. Close enough to help.”
I nod again.
The idea should make me feel trapped. It doesn’t. Maybe because she tells me. Maybe because the men are outside, not in my face. Maybe because Derby’s house has a front door and a back door and a truck being fixed in the driveway.
Or maybe because I’m too tired to fight every kind of help at once.
Sophie hugs August goodbye. He allows it because she promised pancakes in the morning if he behaves. Then she looks at Derby.
“Be decent.”
He frowns. “I’m always decent.”
Every woman in the room looks at him.
He rolls his eyes. “Fine. Decent adjacent.”
“That may be the best we get,” Sophie says.