You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 678

If people found out, would the Padilla family ever live it down?

Patricia’s cheeks turned pink, a little embarrassed.

She and Oliver were just coming downstairs when Lydia walked in from the garden, holding a small bouquet in brown paper. The flowers were simple but bursting with life, their violet-blue colors making them look unexpectedly elegant.

“Pattie, you’re up? Here—” Lydia handed her the bouquet.

Katie was right beside her and couldn’t resist adding, “Mom picked those first thing this morning. She dragged me out to make sure they were pretty enough for her favorite sister-in-law.”

Lydia gave Katie a pointed look.

Katie just raised her eyebrows at Patricia, then looped her arm through Patricia’s, ready to lead her away.

They headed to the dining room, chatting as they went. Katie started sharing funny stories Roger had told her.

She’d been curious about her new sister-in-law for a while. Even though they hadn’t really hung out before, everything she’d heard made Patricia sound easygoing and fun to be around.

At first, Patricia was all smiles, matching Katie’s energy. But then Katie steered the conversation in a different direction. “So Roger told me you’ve got this bodyguard who’s kind of hilarious. Apparently, he ticked you off and you made him dig holes all over the yard.”

“And then he just started turning the place into a maze of traps. Oh, and Jackson caught a snake and gave it to Sara! Everyone knows she’s terrified of snakes.”

Patricia could feel her stomach drop. Please don’t tell the story about Roger falling into one of those traps.

She tried to explain, her voice a little uncertain. “Jackson actually—”

Katie was left speechless.

She turned to Lydia with an exasperated sigh. “Mom, did you hear what he just said?”

Lydia, who always joked that having three sons was the biggest challenge of her life, just shook her head. One was easy, two could work together, but three? Pure chaos.

The oldest was patient, but the middle and youngest had been at each other for decades. As Oliver always said, Jimmy picked on him when they were kids, and now he had to help take care of Jimmy’s kids. Thank goodness Roger was the mellow one, because with the way Oliver and Jimmy held grudges, Roger probably wouldn’t have made it to adulthood otherwise.

Lydia had learned not to get involved. Years of being a mom had made her wise. “Not my problem. You all work it out.”

Oliver didn’t miss the chance to let out a smug laugh, shooting Katie a look full of self-satisfaction.