Chapter Text
“Hello!” I heard a voice call.
A girl with bright blue eyes, golden hair and a beaming smile popped into my vision. I stared at her in stunned silence as she twisted one of her golden braids.
“What are you doing here Officer?”
Sweet. It was the only to describe her voice with its southern accent as it danced around my ears.
“I am over here to meet with Mr Yellow, Miss Anna.”
Anna pushed her lips together, and her ocean eyes roamed over my wrinkled uniform. I wish I could say that the red on my cheeks was from the hot morning sun.
“And here I thought you came to see me, Officer,” she bumped her hips to mine, and I stumbled a little. We walked side-by-side to the barn of the farm.
Pathetic, I am a 35-year-old police officer with plenty of years in the dating game, but…
She giggled at my baffled expression.
Anna was different. Her broad hips, thick thighs and full chest made my throat dry, and my face heats up like a warm summer’s day.
She held the sun in her smile, and the stars were painted in light brown freckles across her cheeks. Although I feared to touch her, I could only imagine her soft hair beneath my fingers, their golden light shining in the low hum of a Saturday morning.
“So, Officer Kelly, how long have you been in Farbe? A little birdie told me you are not even part of a family. So that makes you a Nini!”
We stopped in front of the cartoonishly red barn. I couldn’t help but stare at her - more in bewilderment than in the previous fascination.
“I do have a name. It’s Kelly Brian.”
Anna giggled again.
“No silly. The town is divided into different groups, which we call families. Most have to do with colours. As for the names. They are nicknames given to each family member as proof that they are part of the top heads in the family. Although some of the names are kinda lame, like mine. Mine is-”
“Pineapple!”
Both of us turned to a large man walking towards us with arms wide open. He was a head taller than me, and his biceps were the size of tree trunks. The farmer was dressed in jeans, a red plaid shirt and worn out Blundstone boots. The man came closer and wrapped his arms around, Anna before he lifted her up and swung her around.
I quickly averted my eyes from her loose floral Sunday dress while a blush tinted my cheeks.
“What are you doing here sis?” he spoke in a thick southern accent.
“I’m showing the poor officer the lands. The city boy can’t find his way from one side to the other, ain’t that right Officer?”
It was clear from his golden locks and a blinding smile that the man was Anna’s brother. He had a strong jawline, a full beard and wrinkles that only added to his charm.
Gods. Deities. Call them what you will, but they were beings not of this earth. Their beauty was beyond words and I wish I could have held that within my heart forever. Both siblings were akin to Apollo and Aphrodite respectfully.
Two pairs of ocean eyes landed on me and I could feel goose bumps crawl up my back. I shook my head.
“I’m sorry. I was lost in thought.”
I sheepishly replied.
“See, he even gets lost in his mind.”
The two laughed, and it made my heart lighter.
“I was explaining to Officer Kelly how the families work. Care to join?”
She bumped her hip against the other man's hips.
“Of course. But let’s sit inside and talk. Granny Maggie made cookies.”
He spoke in a baritone voice that was strong yet soothing.
I quickly shook my head and took off my hat in respect. “I’m very sorry, but I do not wish to intrude. I need to get into contact with Mr Yellow. Officer Anthony said to deliver an important message to him.”
The siblings looked at each other and shared a devious grin.
Anna’s braids and dress bounced as she hopped on her feet when she asked, “You don’t know Mr Yellow?”
I lowered my gaze in shame. Being a new officer in an unknown town is not easy, especially if you have to manage the whole move alone. I had met Anna when I got lost inside the fruit market near my apartment. Embarrassing as it may have been, I could not find it in myself to regret meeting the goddess that is Anna.
“No, I do not. Could you maybe assist me in finding him?”
“We would have to think about that,” the brother stroked his bread while Anna mimicked his movements.
“What about a deal? You have coffee, and cookies with us, listen to our stories and we show you to Mr Yellow.”
“This does not feel like a fair deal.”
“Nonsense, we rarely get people visiting. Only Wilder’s booty calls ever show up here.”
Wilder in question turned a deep shade of red and playfully smacked his sister’s shoulder.
“Anna! It's impolite to talk about such things.”
The two laughed and turned to walk off, waving at me to follow them. I gave the old station car one last look, before hurrying after the two deities.
Inside the rather enormous house, the smell of baked cookies, steaming coffee and a hint of cinnamon wafted over me. I closed my eyes and inhaled the magical scent. When I opened them, I saw the two siblings greet an old woman standing in the doorway. Her long grey hair was braided and styled just like Anna’s twin braids. Although grey with age, her eyes held the same ocean tint that the siblings had. They each gave her a kiss on the cheek and waited for her to smile at them before they turned to me.
“Granny Maggie, this is Officer Kelly. Officer Kelly, this is our Grandmother, Maggie Yellow,” Wilder spoke as he rested his hand on her shoulder. The old woman’s shoulder appeared engulfed by the man’s enormous hand. The lady rested her hand on top of her grandson’s, and I could see scars over the endless wrinkles and paper-thin skin. If the siblings were gods, then I stood in front of their creator.
I swallowed down a bungle of nerves.
“How do you do ma’am?” I asked with my signature good cop smile, taking off my hat in respect and awe.
The lady’s eyes turned ice cold and a shiver snaked up my back. The calm smile she had blown away and turned to a rotten sneer.
“Are you one of Blue’s boys?”
Just like her grandkids, her accent was sharp and strong.
“Granny!” The siblings called in unison.
I sheepishly smiled.
“No ma’am, I’m under Anthony. It would be an honour to be under Chief Blue, but I’m merely a low-level cop.”
The scowl fell and the kind smile returned to the elderly lady’s face. I felt a sigh of relief slip from my lips.
“You don’t want to be part of them, dearie. They are a bunch of rotten cheats! Come in, Wilder and Anna will get you some coffee and cookies.”
“Thank you, ma’am. Will you not be joining us?”
The old lady’s smile grew, and I could see her artificially whitened teeth.
“No dearie. I am going to rest. Ageing takes plenty of energy.”
I nodded to the old women and followed the siblings to the kitchen. There the magical smell was more intense, and I could hear my stomach growl loudly. Skipping lunch had been a regrettable choice. The bright yellow counters were covered in flour and on the stove stood a pile of cookies covered by a kitchen towel. My mouth watered and I quickly swallowed before I could drool all over my uniform.
“Officer! Over here!”
I turned and saw a massive table fitted into the dining that let from the kitchen room. The table could easily fit twenty people, more if they squeezed in.
Anna laughed at my agape expression, and I turned away to hide my blush. I took a seat across from Anna while Wilder went to the stove and placed a kettle on one of the burners.
“So, let’s get started!” Anna rested her head on her hands. I could hear three cups hit the counter behind me.
“In Farbe there used to be nine main settlers. I’m not naming them all, but you’ll meet them the longer you’re in Farbe. As the town grew three more came along. These families had constant feuds and fought the whole time. So, they decided to create a sort of… gang associations.”
Wilbert snickered.
“These associations used to be comprised of the oldest person in the group or family. They would create rules that the families had to abide by. But since many families have become a bunch of unrelated people now, the rules changed. Now the heads of the families are part of the association. The heads are just members seen as the most capable of running the family. Thank you.”
Anna had grabbed the cup Wilbert placed in front of her before he sat next to her with his legs folded over each other.
“The families help run this town and care for their members.”
“Some more than others,” Wilder interjected.
“What about the nicknames or family names?” I sipped at my coffee. It was strong and burned my tongue as it went down my throat.
“The family names are used only by those in the close parts of the family and each nickname has a unique story. Although my nickname is a bit embarrassing.”
My eyes widened at the sight of Anna blushing. Her ears turned a delicate peach colour while her freckles were flooded with pink.
“Nonsense, Pineapple is a cute nickname,” Wilbert teased.
“Why is it Pineapple?” I couldn’t contain my curiosity.
“Our little cousin, Olly, he would always call her Ananas. His mother later told us that Ananas are German for pineapple and it just stuck. Anna even started investing more time in the pineapple farms we own.”
“What about you Wilbert?”
Wilbert grinned, showing me his pearly whites. If Anna hadn’t stolen my heart, his mischievous grin would have definitely done the job.
“I am merely known as Mr Yellow. The head of the Yellow family.”