The Life That Mattered (Roe & Evie, #1; Life, #1)

by Jewel E. Ann

“They were talking about your wood, Ronin.” Lila smirked from around her spoon. “Yes. Benedict would’ve been proud of all your wood.” Grandma nodded. I bit back my grin. “Ronin is good with wood. And he definitely has a lot of it.” Lila choked on her spoon. Ronin shifted me on his lap, so I could feel his wood. “I do my best. Evelyn likes it hot, so that requires lots of wood.” I loved how my mom and grandma were oblivious to the innuendos of the conversation while Lila looked ready to pee her pants in the kitchen. My lips hurt from biting them so hard. “Your grandfather was the same way. He used to pack so much wood. But sometimes he’d forget to cover it, and it would get wet. Of course it was always my fault. He’d make up some reason why I distracted him; therefore, it was my fault the wood didn’t get covered and ended up wet.” “I can see that,” Ronin said like his mind wasn’t just as far down the gutter as Lila’s and mine. “It’s quite easy to get distracted and forget to cover the wood. If I’m honest, my wood has been wet quite often.” “And it matters if you’re burning softwood versus hardwood,” Mom added. This conversation wasn’t happening. Was it? How the hell did we let it get so far? My stomach ached from containing my laughter. “It really does.” Ronin nodded.