Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Hello World!

If you've already , then you'll remember the intense standoff between Vicki and Dex. And you'll also remember that Laila were involved in that standoff.



Well now it's time to see the events that happened between those two leading up to that moment. Oh yeah, there was a lot more to their first meeting. Get a look here now, in the first excerpt from Dangerous Love, book two of the McAllister Security series.

Prologue
The first meeting...
Zeke Bostick crept through the densely wooded area, keeping his senses on high alert, his hands wrapped around his gun. He'd split up with his partner for this mission, Vicki Grey,Ìý to try and get a better glimpse at what was going on. The man who they'd been hired to protect had been taken under their watch and made to look like he'd been killed.Unfortunately for whoever had taken TJ Parris, they'd missed the delayed tracker that Zeke had put on him. When Vicki and Zeke arrived at what appeared to be a safe house several hours away from the city, and saw that TJ was, in fact, alive and seemed unharmed, they decided it was time to get to the bottom of whatever the hell was going on.A sound from behind Zeke caught his attention and he spun around just in time to see a figure coming towards him with a gun. He reached out and managed to relieve the gun out of the person's hand, but was caught off guard when they knocked his gun out of his hands as well.If they wanted to fight with just their hands that was fine with h–His thought got knocked out of his head as the hostile, spun and aimed their leg towards his head in a roundhouse kick.Zeke stumbled back, trying to quickly get his bearings when he saw his attacker rushing towards him. He blocked a series of punches and followed up with a few of his own, but they were blocked as well. He threw another punch, but his wrist was grabbed wrist and tucked under the attacker's arm. The assailant shifted their body around to leaned back for a spinning elbow, aiming for Zeke's face. He grabbed the arm, and froze when he felt the curves against his body.A woman!He shouldn't have been surprised. Hell Vicki had kicked his ass more times than he could count.The back of her head slammed into his face and Zeke fell back. By the time he opened his eyes, she'd taken off."Shit..." he whispered, pulling another gun from his ankle holster. It was too dark to search for his other one and he'd just heard Vicki's voice.He stood, and hurried around the to the front of the house.Just in time to see his newest sparring partner pointing a gun at Vicki's head. Instinctively, he aimed his gun at her. The moon was bright on this side of the house and he could finally see her.Her body looked as good as it felt against him in that split second. Her hair was pulled back in a long braid that stopped at the top of her ass. And her eyes...well those laser sharp orbs were too focused on preparing to shoot his partner."Put the gun down," she said to Vicki, who had a gun of her own trained on her boyfriend, Dexter McAllister.What the hell was going on here?"Laila," Dex said to the woman he was obviously working with. "Stand down."Laila shook her head. "Not until she puts the gun down."Zeke watched as Dex unloaded his gun, much to the chagrin of Laila.As Dex tried to explain that they were on the same side, a sound perked Zeke's attention. He looked over his shoulder and saw several figures in the distance carrying guns. When Zeke saw them lift and aim, he yelled, "Get down!"Laila dropped down instantly and Dex threw his body over Vicki's.The trees gave them some cover, but not much.The shooting didn't last long and it was followed by a maniacal, feminine laugh."I have to give it to you, Dex, you almost had me. But I told you before...I always get what I want.""Stephanie," Laila growled."We've got to get out of here," Dex said."You get TJ and go," Laila said. "I'll cover you."Zeke watched as Laila began shooting her gun to cover Dex and Vicki. He looked back and noticed Vicki looking frozen as Dex tried to get her moving.Laila ducked back behind the tree and Zeke took a turn shooting off a round of fire."Vick," he shouted to Vicki. "Go and help TJ."Vicki finally began to move, taking the gun Dex gave her, before taking her free hand and rushing towards the house.Zeke looked over as Laila was reloading her gun. She looked up at him and smiled."What's your name?" she asked before turning to shoot again."Zeke..." he said, shooting as well. "Bostick.""I'd shake your hand, but..." She shot another round.The enemy fire finally stopped after they heard Stephanie swear and shout, "Move out!"Neither of them moved for several minutes. Finally Laila stood and Zeke followed suit.She moved toward him and he finally got a good look at her entire face. The woman was gorgeous."Nice to meet you, Zeke."He looked down and saw her hand held out to him. He wrapped his hand around her soft one and shook it.
"Nice to meet you too, Laila. Despite our initial encounter."

I know...I know...

This post should have been made a week ago.

Piece of My Love is now live! LOL




But youÌýguys! You guys have made it an AMAZING first week!
At the time of me writing this book, the book is currently #9 on the Amazon Bestsellers list and the reviews are great.
P.S. You need to get and books like now. Click on the links, buy the books and then come back #SuperBaesI was just finishing up with aerial yoga class (yes, I do that now. Getting my on majorly! Though I'm out of commission temporary cause I hurt my knee...another story for another day) when I stalkedÌýchecked Ìýand saw that Piece of My Love was officially published. I did a quick newsletter while I was across the street pumping gas and sent it. By the time I got in my SUV, y'all were already sounding the alarm in and on Facebook that the book was live.
It happened so fast that it kinda pulled at my heartstrings. I was damn near in tears driving home. From the love you guys have for me and the work I do. I know you've been waiting on something from me for a while since I took that much neededÌý.

But I'm so glad you all are enjoying the book.
I made a post earlier on Facebook, 'cause y'all been mentioning them in your reviews.
Yes, Max and Sloane will be getting a book.Ìý
After Laila & Zeke, and then Michelle & whatever man is brave enough for her. And maybe a type of anthology with a few novellas of characters you've been waiting to hear from again...like Dana & Aiden. But don't hold me to that last one, we'll see what happens.
I suppose that's it for now.Ìý
Again, thank you so much. I'm glad you all are enjoying the book. That's all I hope for every time I hit publish.
Happy Reading.
°Õé

Hey y'all!

Shooting you a quick note:

If Ìýyou come to the blog and it looks a bit wonky, that's because I'm rehauling the site.

It's currently under construction so please excuse the mess.

Ìý




ÌýÌý

Dating is hard.Dating online is hard.Dating online in your thirties is hard.Dating online in your thirties after being in a ten-year relationship is hard.
What’s not hard?Meeting men who aren’t really single.Having your time wasted.Receiving unsolicited pictures of genitalia.Said genitalia.
When did dating become so complicated?
I just want to find a nice, good looking man who replies to my entire text message and doesn’t text me “WYD� every hour. I just want to find a fun loving, intelligent man who doesn’t have a Master’s Degree in Cheating, Shenanigans and Tomfoolery and isn’t fluent in lies. I just want to find a man who is actually the height he listed in his dating profile.
I jumped back into the dating scene with tempered expectations. I didn’t think all the men I would meet were going to be amazing, but I didn’t think so many of them were going to be disasters.


Add To Å·±¦ÓéÀÖÌý|





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Giveaways

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*unedited, subject to change*

Phoenix yanked up a head of lettuce and swore. She shouldn't have pulled it with so much force. She was taking her frustration out on the damn vegetables. Her parents were working on the farm outside of the city and since this garden was on her own apartment's rooftop, she'd volunteered to harvest the crop for them and get it delivered to one of the restaurants they had as clients.She had to hurry and finish so she could get across town with the produce before the lunch crowd hit. But her mind was preoccupied.She hadn't talked to Noah in days.She was trying to give him space to figure his shit out, but... she missed him.The sound of the door to the roof opening had her looking up. Her eyes widened in shock."Hi," Noah said, shoving his hands into his pockets."Hey," she replied. "How did you find me?""I went to The Main Squeeze looking for you, and your friend, Sloane, told me you were here.""Oh.""I need to talk to you, Phoenix," Noah said, moving closer to her."Okay... but can you talk and work?" she asked. "I've got an order I need to get finished and delivered for my parents.""Um...sure," he said, looking down at his clothes.He looked good in a pair of jeans and t-shirt. But he didn't hesitate to get down on his knees in the dirt next to her."What do I do?" he asked.Phoenix quickly explained how to harvest the tomatoes she'd moved on too.Once he had the hang of it, they got to work, the only sound around them being the busyness of the city below them."I took your advice," he finally said."My advice?""On getting that closure."Phoenix could feel Noah's eyes on her. She nodded. "That's good.""I also...finally figured it out."Phoenix's head whipped in Noah's direction and she found him smiling at her. She studied him. His eyes and smile seemed brighter.She swallowed before speaking."Finally figured what out?""You know what, Fi. That's why I came to find you, like you told me to do."Her heart raced as he leaned closer to her."Still...I think I need to hear it," she said, pulling her lip between her teeth."If you insist," he said, before reaching up to touch her face. He used his thumb to release her lip from her teeth, then he slid his hand to the back of her neck as his lips descended to hers.Her eyes fluttered closed as he kissed her deeply, much different than the light kiss she'd left him with days ago.He pulled away and her eyes slowly opened."Very well said," she rasped. "But I don't think I heard you quite well. I think you need to repeat�"His mouth dropped down on hers again, and this time his tongue slid into her mouth, tangling with hers. She felt his hands palm her cheeks and her arms circled his neck pulling him closer to her.When he finally pulled away again, they were both out of breath."Did you hear me that time?" he asked.
"Loud and clear."

Hey loves!

If you been on this journey with me over the last five years you know that tomorrow is the 5th anniversary of my debut book, .

You're probably also aware that every year I've dropped a book on or around the same date. I've been somewhat quiet about books lately, but have shared some peeks at my current WIP, .

Have you been thinking, "She's gonna pull a Teyonce and drop a book today or tomorrow!"?




Not this time unfortunately.





#SadFaceEmoji



I'll admit, I was a little sad at first, but I took a bit of a break after I finished . I didn't want to, but the body knows when to stop even if the mind is fighting it. And after two-three years of going nonstop, everything kinda shut down a bit. If you've read , then you'll understand when I say I was having some "Brandi Moments". I won't go into much more detail than that, but I'll just say I'm still working it.

You shouldn't have to wait too much longer for Piece of My Love, maybe another month or so. Until then, read the first books in the . And/or reread some of these other 'anniversary' books: , , and .

One last thing: I love you guys, so much. My readers are one of the driving forces that keeps me going in all of this. I love what I do, no doubt, but the fact that you also love what I produce, is a huge encouragement.

Smooches,

°Õé

P.S. Hope I get to see you this weekend at the Indie Love in the A Event! I thinkÌýthere may still be some tickets left. Click the link to check it out.

Noah was the first to trudge to the common area of the fire station after he'd finished showering and changing once they returned from the fire they'd been called to put out while they supposed to be shopping for lunch.Noah opened the fridge and peered around, trying to figure out what he and his comrades could have for a late lunch. It seemed like leftovers the guys from the last shift left would have to suffice."Hello?"The melodic sounding voice had Noah spinning around.His eyes collide with a gorgeous face that seemed familiar, but he couldn't quite place it. He took her in quickly from head to toe. Her hair was piled up on the top of her head in a messy bun. Her eyes were wide and astute; her lips, shiny with some kind of gloss, were full and looked as though they had no problem of telling it like it was. Her crop top showed off her toned abs and her shorts revealed sexy hips and thick thighs.She looked like just his kind of trouble.The kind of trouble he'd, as of late, been avoiding."Can I help you?" he said finally, praying he hadn't stared too long to make her uncomfortable."I hope so," she said with a grin. "I'm looking for Ollie.""Ollie?" Noah repeated, confused."Yeah. He came by my table at the farmer's market this morning, but got called away. You were with him, right?""You mean, Sim?" Noah said, finally remembering why she looked familiar. She was the woman he'd seen Oliver talking to at the farmer's market that he'd insisted they go to that morning."Right, I heard you call him that.""Yeah, it's uhh...his nickname around here.""Why do you call him that?"Noah cleared his throat of a chuckle before answering. "It's short for Similac."The woman's laugh echoed in the empty common room."Are you serious?" she cackled.Noah nodded as his lips tugged upward.Once the moment of amusement passed, silence surrounded them.The woman held up a bag. "He left this, and I figured you all might need it. So I decided to wait awhile and swing by to drop it off. Looks like I got here just in time."Noah took a step forward to take the bag from her arms."Wow, that was nice of you." He sat the bag down on the island and peered through it. "There's a lot of stuff in here.""We had left overs once the farmer's market shut down for the day. Figured it wouldn't go to waste here.""That's for sure," Noah said. He reached out his hand. "I'm Noah Walker, by the way.""Phoenix Aldridge," she said, placing her soft hand in his. After he released her hand, Noah reached for his back pocket."Damn, I left my wallet in my room," he said. "If you can wait for just another minute I'll go grab it so I can pay�"Phoenix shook her head. "Don't worry about it.""Phoenix. We couldn't possibly take all of this without paying.""I insist," Phoenix said with a smile. "Consider it a donation to D.C.'s...finest."The hint of flirtation wasn't lost on him. He had to give it to the woman, she was smooth with it.Before he could respond, Phoenix was backing away."I've gotta run," she said, as she pulled a card out of the bag that was slung across her front. "Tell Ollie I said hi. And you guys should swing by my bar.""I'm not much of a drinker. And Ollie's not exactly old enough�""It's a juice bar," she amended with a grin, as she handed him the card."Oh.""Hope to see you again soon, Noah," Phoenix said, before pivoting on her heels and strutting away."Who was that?"Noah blinked coming out of the trance brought on by the sway of Phoenix's departing ass. He turned to see Max, Ollie and a few others making their way into the common area."She actually came for Sim," Noah informed them."Sim!" Max laughed. "Boy what is a woman like that coming around here for your ass for?""She was the chick from the farmer's market," Noah added. He tipped his chin toward the bag on the island. "She brought that by.""Oh! That must have been Phoenix," Oliver said."Again, I ask, what was she doing coming here for you?" Max asked."Man, it's not like that. She used to babysit me growing up and her parents run an urban garden. Though I did have the biggest crush on her growing up."
"I see why," Noah murmured quietly as he absently tucked the card into his back pocket.

One of our favorite couples has an announcement!


ÌýHandel's Passacaglia filled the house as Rowan Hunter climbed the stairs. The music from the piano grew louder when he hit the second story landing. When he made it to his wife's studio, he leaned in the doorway and watched as Laurel's fingers danced gingerly across the keys.Memories of the first time he heard her playing the same song on the piano flooded his mind and propelled him forward."Did you forget that this was a duet again?"Laurel's lip tilted up and she slid to the side, making room for him. Rowan sat down and seamlessly joined in with her.They sat quietly playing a few bars before Rowan spoke again."Chelle called.""What did 'Mom' want?" Laurel teased."She got on my ass. Wanted to make sure you were up for tomorrow night."Laurel sighed and stopped playing before she swung around on the piano stool and stood."Of course I'm up for it.""Laurel, you've been exhausted, babeâ€�""I'm fine, Rowan," Laurel insisted as she made her way over to the balcony that overlooked Oak Bluffs in Martha's Vineyard.Laurel had to cancel several of concerts due to her health at the insistence of her doctor, Rowan and Michelle. She'd been devastated, feeling like she was letting her fans down, but she'd gotten an endless outpouring of love from her them, assuring her that her health was more important. Michelle was already on top of things, rescheduling the concerts that Laurel had to miss."I'm feeling much better, and I don't want to miss anymore concerts."Rowan stood and went to stand behind Laurel, wrapping his arms around her waists."If you start feeling bad againâ€�""I will let you and Chelle know."Rowan nodded and kissed the top of her head, before squeezing a little tighter.

****
Laurel stood back stage, listening to the crowd chanting her name. She blew out a breath and covered her stomach to settle the butterflies of excitement that fluttered around. She put one foot in front of the other and when the spotlight hit her, the audience went into a frenzy."Good evening, Boston!" she shouted once she got to the mic. Once the noise died down, she looked around and said, "It feels so good to be back on stage."The pianist began to play her first song and audience began clapping when they recognized the music.After a few songs, she sat down on the stool that was set out on stage for her."Happy Mother's Day to all the mommies out celebrating tonight," she said and smiled as the room filled with applause. She looked over to Rowan who was standing backstage watching her and added, "It seems like I'm celebrating my first Mother's Day right along with you all."Rowan's eyes widened with realization at the same time as the crowd with wild again. Laurel nodded her head in confirmation and the audience grew louder when Rowan headed for her on stage.He lifted her off of the stool and wrapped a hand around the back of her neck as he crushed his lips to hers."A baby?" he whispered against her lips and Laurel nodded, her eyes filling with tears."I found out when you and Michelle forced me to go to the doctor," she said.Rowan covered Laurel's mouth with his again, before resting his forehead against hers."I kinda got a show to finish," she giggled and playfully shoved him away.Rowan stole one last kiss before hurrying off stage.Laurel turned back to the crowd and blew out a breath."Now...where were we..."
****

Happy Mother's Day From °Õé Russ Novels

***unedited, subject to change***
"I've got a large orange explosion juice for Scarlette," Phoenix Aldridge called out.Phoenix watch as Scarlette Harris made her way back up to the counter of Phoenix's juice/smoothie bar, The Main Squeeze. She pushed the to-go cup, along with an unopened straw in her direction."I know it's not your morning coffee," Phoenix said, sympathetically. "But it's good for the baby.""I know," Scarlette sighed. "I'm just so used to going to Mellow Mocha. But between Valerie and Marcus, they're making sure I don't even smell coffee. It's ridiculous.""It's them caring," Phoenix corrected. "This juice should also help with your morning sickness."Scarlette smiled at that. "Then you may see me morning, noon and night, since I stay sick.""Hey, the more you visit, the more money I make," Phoenix teased with a wink. She watched as Scarlette inserted her straw into the cup before taking a sip."Mmm," she moaned. "This is so good. Thanks Phoenix.""Anytime.""You need to make a trip to my side of town and come to my store."Scarlette ran a lingerie shop, filled with high-end undergarments.Phoenix rolled her eyes at Scarlette's invitation."It's not like I have anyone to wear them for," she murmured as she wiped down the already clean countertop.Scarlette waved off Phoenix's remark."Honey, wear them for your damn self. I used to before Marcus came along. Hell I still do. Though I don't know what I'm gonna do in a few more months when I'm as big as a house.""Maybe you can do a maternity line. I'm sure mothers-to-be still want to feel sexy and desired."Scarlette's face was thoughtful as she took a long sip from her juice."You know...I just might do that," she finally said, a bright smile crossing her face."I can't wait to see what you come up with.""I'm going to swing by Bucky's and see Mom," Scarlette said, referring to her mother-in-law, Viola. Viola ran a bar a few doors down from Phoenix's juice bar."Tell her I said hello," Phoenix replied as Scarlette turned to head for the door."I will."As Scarlette was leaving, Phoenix looked up to see her mother walking in. Her arms were full with a basket full of fruits and vegetables. Phoenix was already rounding the counter when her mother nearly dropped the basket."Mom!" Phoenix said, picking up the pace to help her mother. "I told you I was going to come by after lunch for these."Her parents, Fiona and Nick Aldridge,Ìýran a community urban garden next to Phoenix's bar. They'd been running it since she was a teenager and was the inspiration for Phoenix to open a juice bar. She'd experiment with so much of the fruits and vegetables they'd brought home when she was growing up. When the property opened up next to the garden, it seemed like fate for Phoenix and with the help of her parents, she'd opened up The Main Squeeze.She'd already paid back the loan her parents had given her, and though they often tried to refuse, she often gave them extra money, since the majority of produce she used came from the garden."I saw the rush you had in here today," her mother said as she let Phoenix take the baskets from her. "I figured it couldn't hurt to bring it by a little early.""Well, thank you, Mom," Phoenix said as they headed back behind the counter."I need a favor, Fi," Fiona said as Phoenix handed the basket off to one of her employees."What's up?"Before Fiona could respond another customer came in."Hold that thought," she said to her mother, before turning to the customer with a smile. "Welcome to The Main Squeeze, how can I help you?""Ummm, can I get one of your strawberry kombucha smoothies?""Sure thing," Phoenix said. "Size?""Medium.""And what name can I write down for you?""Lois.""Alright, Lois, your smoothie will be ready in a few minutes."Phoenix went to work on the smoothie, adding strawberries to the juicer."What did you need, Mom?" she asked as she poured the ginger basil kombucha into the juicer."Dad and I are going on a retreat this weekend," Fiona started.Phoenix nodded and then pressed the button to blend everything together in the juice."So you need me to run your stand this weekend," she guessed, speaking up so Fiona could hear her over the juicer.Fiona nodded her response."If you can't do it, we understand," she said, once the juicer stopped. "I know Saturdays have become one of your busiest daysâ€�""Which is why I hired more employees," Phoenix said. "It's fine, Mom. I can do it.""Are you sure?"Phoenix refrained from rolling her eyes. She didn't know why her mother went through this whole "if it's not any trouble" bit. Fiona knew Phoenix wouldn't say no. That urban garden was just as much hers as it was her parents."Of course, Mom," Phoenix said as she filled a medium sized cup with the smoothie. After she placed a top on the drink she called for Lois to come and get her drink."Thanks, sweetheart.""No problem, Mom. What are you about to do?" she asked, as she grabbed a pineapple to cut up."I've got another basket that I'm going to run over to the homeless shelter. Dad's working in the garden.""I'll take him a juice later."Fiona nodded with a smile before she took off and Phoenix prepared to greet another customer.Ìý
©°Õé Russ

***unedited, subject to change***
"I've got a large orange explosion juice for Scarlette," Phoenix Greene called out.Phoenix watch as Scarlette Harris made her way back up to the counter of Phoenix's juice/smoothie bar, The Main Squeeze. She pushed the to-go cup, along with an unopened straw in her direction."I know it's not your morning coffee," Phoenix said, sympathetically. "But it's good for the baby.""I know," Scarlette sighed. "I'm just so used to going to Mellow Mocha. But between Valerie and Marcus, they're making sure I don't even smell coffee. It's ridiculous.""It's them caring," Phoenix corrected. "This juice should also help with your morning sickness."Scarlette smiled at that. "Then you may see me morning, noon and night, since I stay sick.""Hey, the more you visit, the more money I make," Phoenix teased with a wink. She watched as Scarlette inserted her straw into the cup before taking a sip."Mmm," she moaned. "This is so good. Thanks Phoenix.""Anytime.""You need to make a trip to my side of town and come to my store."Scarlette ran a lingerie shop, filled with high-end undergarments.Phoenix rolled her eyes at Scarlette's invitation."It's not like I have anyone to wear them for," she murmured as she wiped down the already clean countertop.Scarlette waved off Phoenix's remark."Honey, wear them for your damn self. I used to before Marcus came along. Hell I still do. Though I don't know what I'm gonna do in a few more months when I'm as big as a house.""Maybe you can do a maternity line. I'm sure mothers-to-be still want to feel sexy and desired."Scarlette's face was thoughtful as she took a long sip from her juice."You know...I just might do that," she finally said, a bright smile crossing her face."I can't wait to see what you come up with.""I'm going to swing by Bucky's and see Mom," Scarlette said, referring to her mother-in-law, Viola. Viola ran a bar a few doors down from Phoenix's juice bar."Tell her I said hello," Phoenix replied as Scarlette turned to head for the door."I will."As Scarlette was leaving, Phoenix looked up to see her mother walking in. Her arms were full with a basket full of fruits and vegetables. Phoenix was already rounding the counter when her mother nearly dropped the basket."Mom!" Phoenix said, picking up the pace to help her mother. "I told you I was going to come by after lunch for these."Her parents, Fiona and Nick Greene,Ìýran a community urban garden next to Phoenix's bar. They'd been running it since she was a teenager and was the inspiration for Phoenix to open a juice bar. She'd experiment with so much of the fruits and vegetables they'd brought home when she was growing up. When the property opened up next to the garden, it seemed like fate for Phoenix and with the help of her parents, she'd opened up The Main Squeeze.She'd already paid back the loan her parents had given her, and though they often tried to refuse, she often gave them extra money, since the majority of produce she used came from the garden."I saw the rush you had in here today," her mother said as she let Phoenix take the baskets from her. "I figured it couldn't hurt to bring it by a little early.""Well, thank you, Mom," Phoenix said as they headed back behind the counter."I need a favor, Fi," Fiona said as Phoenix handed the basket off to one of her employees."What's up?"Before Fiona could respond another customer came in."Hold that thought," she said to her mother, before turning to the customer with a smile. "Welcome to The Main Squeeze, how can I help you?""Ummm, can I get one of your strawberry kombucha smoothies?""Sure thing," Phoenix said. "Size?""Medium.""And what name can I write down for you?""Lois.""Alright, Lois, your smoothie will be ready in a few minutes."Phoenix went to work on the smoothie, adding strawberries to the juicer."What did you need, Mom?" she asked as she poured the ginger basil kombucha into the juicer."Dad and I are going on a retreat this weekend," Fiona started.Phoenix nodded and then pressed the button to blend everything together in the juice."So you need me to run your stand this weekend," she guessed, speaking up so Fiona could hear her over the juicer.Fiona nodded her response."If you can't do it, we understand," she said, once the juicer stopped. "I know Saturdays have become one of your busiest daysâ€�""Which is why I hired more employees," Phoenix said. "It's fine, Mom. I can do it.""Are you sure?"Phoenix refrained from rolling her eyes. She didn't know why her mother went through this whole "if it's not any trouble" bit. Fiona knew Phoenix wouldn't say no. That urban garden was just as much hers as it was her parents."Of course, Mom," Phoenix said as she filled a medium sized cup with the smoothie. After she placed a top on the drink she called for Lois to come and get her drink."Thanks, sweetheart.""No problem, Mom. What are you about to do?" she asked, as she grabbed a pineapple to cut up."I've got another basket that I'm going to run over to the homeless shelter. Dad's working in the garden.""I'll take him a juice later."Fiona nodded with a smile before she took off and Phoenix prepared to greet another customer.Ìý
©°Õé Russ