Page 117 of Brandt's Rule
“I love you, more,” she said, smiling lovingly at him. “You’re everything that’s right in my world.”
Brandt pulled her a little closer. “And for the first time in years, I mean years, everybody is coming home for Christmas. It’s perfect. All the pieces are falling into place. Best Christmas ever.”
“Yeah, all the pieces are falling, alright,” Emmalyn said.
“Emmalyn, everything is going to be fine. They’re not kids anymore,” Everly said.
“And nobody is going to say anything to start any trouble,” Brandt insisted, looking around the room.
“Not a damn person,” Kaid insisted, backing up Brandt.
“All I’m saying is neither one of them knows the other is coming,” Emmalyn said. “That’s all I’m saying.”
“It’ll be fine. Maybe a little awkward at first, but they’ve grown up, things have changed. They’re both coming back because they want to see family. We’re all family. It’ll be fine,” Bam said.
“Exactly!” Maverik said, walking over and pounding Bam on the back. “Our babies are coming home, Bam.”
“I just want to hug ‘em both! All three!” Bam said.
~~~
“You just caught us. Another twenty or thirty minutes and I’d be shutting it down,” Bailey said.
“I was shocked you were open when I drove by, but when I saw you inside and the open sign, I just had to come in. My mom tells me how good your coffees are and I need one so bad.”
“Long day?” Bailey asked.
“I was in Malta. Then flew out of Malta yesterday to make a connecting flight. Two long layovers later, I finally got a rental car at the airport in New Orleans and here I am after a two hour drive. I’m exhausted.”
“What were you doing in Malta?” Bailey asked.
“Helping catalog and safely package some recently discovered artifacts so they can be sent to my lab in Boston for a complete restoration before they return to Malta for display.”
“Y’all don’t get to keep them?” Bailey asked.
“Not keep them, but we usually do an agreement that will allow us to exhibit the artifacts for a specified length of time before returning them to their home country. And these will be under the same type of agreement, but I’m not sure on the time frames. My attention is more focused on restoring the items to their former beauty. I can’t wait to see them once restored. That part alone can take years.”
“Wow. I envy you. Your life sounds go glamorous.”
Analise laughed. “Oh, Lord, no. Going weeks without a shower, using baby wipes to keep your face and hands from being crusted like the rest of you. Digging in the dirt. Sweating in the heat. And don’t get me started on the bugs!”
“Then why do it?”
“The art. The pieces we find and are able to share to the world. Whether they’re carved marble figurines or vessels to hold scented oils, or amulets and bracelets. It’s all art and it fascinates me. I’d love to stay in my office and just have the artifacts brought to me, but I have to be there when they’re removed from the ground. Sometimes the pieces are shattered and I need to remove a cubic yard of soil around the item to be sure I’ve gotten it all. So, that’s when I get to go on the digs. Not my favorite atmosphere, but to save such rare pieces of art, I’ll brave the heat and dirt and bugs,” Analise said, laughing as she sipped her peppermint coffee.
“Do you ever get tired of traveling?” Bailey asked.
Analise smiled at Bailey. “It’s certainly not the life I thought I’d have. But it keeps me busy, focused, and like I said, I love discovering new treasures to restore.”
The door opened and the sound of a crying child filled the coffee shop.
Analise turned just as the door opened again and a disheveled woman rushed in.
“Goddamn it! You little brat! I told you to come here.”
The little girl shook her head no.
“Honey, are you okay?” Analise asked, walking over to the little girl who immediately stepped behind Analise, clinging to her skirt.