Chap. 16

Sophie heard the footsteps on the stairs and grabbed another coffee mug from the rack over the sink. The heavy booted steps told her it was one of two people, Allen or John. Either way, black coffee was in order. The two really were quite similar. It's no wonder Eliot gravitated toward Allen.

Sitting at the table with both mugs, she reached for the morning paper and waited for her pastries to bake.

"Morning"

"Good morning."

Handing him the mug, Sophie tilted her head to the side and watched as he tested the temperature of the brew with a small sip. Eliot did something very similar with coffee and tea. She doubted the likenesses ended there and wanted to explore more. She wanted to know more about the man who helped make Eliot, well, Eliot.

"Coffee o.k.?"

"It's great. How did you know I like it black?"

"Darling, you've been given a brief synopsis of what we do for a living, did you really expect us not to do our homework? Besides, where one of our own is concerned, we like to be informed. Even about coffee."

John conceded the point. This band of misfits had closed ranks around Eliot the moment a hint of a threat was detected. He couldn't fault them for trying to protect the most precious thing in his life.

"So, Sophie, did I pass the background check? Am I fit to enter the life of my son?"

Sophie slipped out of her chair and peeked in on the pastries. In a few more moments, the morning would taste much sweeter.

"Oh, most certainly! You have to know you wouldn't even be in the same time zone with Eliot if you didn't. Silly boy thinks it's his job to protect us all the time, well guess what? Someone has to keep an eye on him, also. He isn't invincible you know!"

Allen chuckled as he watched her remove the heavenly looking pastries from the oven. It was clear that she cared about Eliot a great deal. He really liked this lady. He doubted she took shit from anyone, Eliot included. Glancing up toward the stairs, he heard soft footfalls coming toward them. It could only be Parker, the slim thief knew how to go unnoticed if she wanted to.

"I hope you made enough for all of us. I hear Parker."

"I don't know where that girl puts everything she eats. She's tiny."

"She never stops moving, that's how. Like Eliot, he's never been one to sit idle and do nothing."

"Like now, he's out with the horses again. Or maybe it's the baby goats this time. Either way, he should be resting, not out with the barn animals."

"I agree, but good luck getting him to actually do that. Ah, Parker, care for some coffee and breakfast?"

Parker yawned and nodded.

"Eliot's out with the piglets again. I'll take something out to him."

John stood and started helping her pack the food and coffee to take outside. It had become abundantly clear that Parker and Eliot were extremely close, seeing them interact would be interesting.

"If you can grab the coffee, I've got the food."

Parker nodded and reached for the coffee. Like Eliot, John held the door for her and "helped" her down the steps. It was sweet. Parker thought she could get used to having another Eliot around.

"So, you and Alec, huh?"

Parker giggled.

"Yep. Eliot told him if he hurt me, he'd break his arms off and feed them too him."

"How did Alec take that?"

"He knows Eliot is just trying to watch out for me. He does that with all of us."

"So I've heard."

"And he takes after you in that respect, I see."

"Good to know some lessons stuck after he took off."

Parker spotted Eliot just ahead of them on the ground with six little piglets surrounding him. He seemed so content she just stood watching them for a moment before plopping down beside him and offering coffee.

"We thought you might want breakfast."

Eliot jumped up and washed his hands in the sink in one of the bathrooms in the stables. The smell wafting up from the strawberry concoction was heavenly. Sophie must have used the recipe he gave her. He would have to tell her how great the turned out.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?"

Eliot glanced at his father and shook his head. The man would never understand. Resting wasn't in his nature. It never had been.

"I can't just do nothing, you of all people know that."

"I do, and I get it. Just take it easy for a few days?"

"I'll think about it, but I make no promises."

"That's all I can ask?"

John leaned toward Eliot and sighed. This wasn't going to be easy.

"We need to talk. Not now, but soon."

"I know. Truthfully I've been avoiding you as much as possible because of that. Talking has never been my thing."

Parker threw her slender arm around Eliot and placed her head on his shoulder.

"Maybe now it's time to start, Sparky."

Eliot knew she was right. So many things needed to be let out in the open, but he didn't know where to start. He didn't want to think about any of this now. He wanted to get back to work, but Nate had vetoed that idea. Yeah, he was a little on edge, so what? He lived his life on edge, for fucks sake! That was part of the job. He couldn't blame the man though, even he was worried about his mindset lately. Maybe it was time to talk to Allen. It was something to think about.