The Prodigal Bride

Gage popped open his door. “My sister gave Pet little, if any, structure for the last five years, so … believe it. You’ve been warned.”

He climbed out of the SUV and hauled Zoey’s bags from the rear cargo space before heading inside.

“We’re home!” he called into the house where the scent of grilled cheese and the whimsical sounds of a cartoon wafted in from the back room.

“Uncle Gage!” Pet came charging in and tackled his legs, nearly knocking him over.

He caught her under her arms and swung her up. “Hey, Squirt. Were you good for Rani?”

“Rrrowr,” Pet growled, curling her fingers into faux-claws.

“I was afraid of that.” He nodded toward Zoey. “Pet, remember I told you before my trip that I had to go help a friend? This is Zoey. She’s going to be living with us. She’s my wife now, which makes her your aunt.”

Pet eyed Zoey warily. “Is an aunt like a stepmother? In my cartoons, the stepmother is always mean.”

Zoey grinned. “Then you’re watching the wrong cartoons because all the stepmothers I know are really nice. And aunts are even better. Aunts are fun.”

Pet’s eyes brightened, and she looked to him for confirmation.

Gage nodded. “Yep, you and Zoey can have lots of fun together.”

“Hey, Mr. Gage. How was the trip?” Rani Ogatini, a college student with the patience of a saint and an obvious love for young children, strolled in from the kitchen.

“Successful. Rani, this is Zoey Ban—er, Zoey Powell. My new wife.”

His use of his last name clearly startled Zoey, who blinked at him before shaking hands with Rani and offering a bright smile.

“So you’re Gage’s monster wrangler?” Zoey asked after the traditional pleasantries and congratulations on their wedding had been exchanged. The sweep of his bride’s gaze clearly sized up the attractive coed even as she made nice.

Rani gave her a wry grin. “Aw, Pet’s not that bad. She’s just got a lot of energy and a wild imagination.”

Gage scoffed. “You say tom-A-to, I say to-MAH-to. Seems to me she’s on a mission to find the most unusual way to end up in the emergency room at the most inconvenient hour possible.” He set Pet on the floor and ruffled her hair. “Am I right?”

“Hey, I learned a new trick!” She tugged his arm. “Wanna see me do a cannonball?”

He groaned. “I rest my case.”

Rani raised a hand. “I showed her how to put the sofa cushions on the floor and made her swear not to do her tricks without them.”

Gage nodded, impressed. “Well, that’s progress. Let me write your check, and you can be on your way. I’m sure you have plenty to catch up on after four days cooped up with Pet.”

“Anytime. I like her. She’s a hoot.” Rani faced Zoey. “I made a pot of vegetable soup and some grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner. The sandwiches are on warm in the oven.”

“Great. Thanks. I thought I knew the meaning of hungry before, but this pregnancy stuff has taught me a new definition of starved.”

Rani glanced at Gage as if she weren’t sure she’d heard Zoey correctly. He flashed his babysitter a confident smile and nodded as he tore her check out of his checkbook. “Zoey is due in April. You don’t have a problem with keeping a newborn, do you?”

“Uh … no. I …” More confused and startled blinking. “Wow. Congratulations.” She accepted the check and stuffed it in her jeans pocket without looking at it. “I’ll get out of your hair. You know how to reach me if you need me again.”

“You bet.” After Gage showed Rani out, he joined Zoey in the living room where Pet was bouncing on the sofa springs and launching herself onto a pile of cushions with an enthusiasm he was sure would translate into more daring escapades before long. God help him. “I can show you to your room now if you want.”

Zoey shook her head. “I wasn’t kidding about being starved. The room will wait. I’m not sure the baby will. Can we eat first?”

“Whatever. This is your home now. Make yourself comfortable.” To Pet, he said, “Okay, Squirt, time to eat. Wash your hands.”

Pet ignored him, climbing on the sofa to launch herself onto the cushions again.

Grasping Pet’s upper arm, he stopped her as she mounted the sofa the next time and looked straight into her eyes. “Petunia, it’s dinnertime. Go wash your hands and sit at the table.”

“No! I’m not hungry.” Pet tried to pull free, and when he didn’t release her, she jumped up and down in place with a haughty smirk on her face.

Gage took a deep breath and knelt in front of his niece, using both hands to hold her as still as a five-year-old monster could be held. “Pet, do you want time-out?”

“No!”