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“Keep practicing,” Charli told him. “We’re not born knowing how to bake. Well, maybe Denise was. I’m convinced that she was born knowing how to cook and bake. She is ah—may—zing.”
“Yeah. I’ve tasted enough of her food to definitely agree with that observation.”
“Julia’s another one who might have been born knowing how to do it all.”
“Well, if she was, it was because she also got my mom’s share of that particular gene. Or if my mom actually has that natural ability, she’s never chosen to share it with the rest of us.”
“My mom tried her hand plenty at cooking and baking, and there were times we wished she hadn’t.”
Blake chuckled. “That’s how I feel about my cooking most days. I’m just grateful that Amelia isn’t a fussy eater, or she’d probably starve.”
Charli turned as Layla and Amelia reappeared. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah,” Layla said, though clearly not enthused by the prospect.
“Hopefully, I’ll see you in class tomorrow, Amelia.”
Amelia nodded. “I’ll be there.”
Charli hoped Amelia really did feel better, because she was sure that it would stress Blake out if she was truly sick.
“If it’s okay, I’ll swing by tomorrow after I pick Amelia up from school.”
“Actually, I have a staff meeting immediately after school, so I won’t be home until around four-thirty or five. Would that still work?”
“Yep. That would be fine.”
Blake opened the door, then stood with Amelia leaning against him as Charli and Layla walked past them out onto the landing. Before they headed for the stairs, Charli turned back and said, “If Amelia’s still not feeling well tomorrow, be sure to let the school know.”
Blake nodded. “I will, but I’m hoping that call won’t be necessary.”
“I do feel better, Daddy,” Amelia said as she looked up at him.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Blake smiled at her as he gave her ponytail a little tug. “Hope that’s still true tomorrow.”
After saying goodbye, Layla took Charli’s hand as they walked toward the stairs. It wasn’t until they were partway down the stairs that Charli heard their door close.
“I’m glad Amelia is feeling better,” Layla said as they walked out of the building.
“I am too.”
Once they were in the car on their way home, Charli said, “Why do you like hanging out with Amelia?”
When Layla didn’t answer right away, Charli looked in the rearview mirror so she could see her face.
“I don’t know,” she finally said with a shrug. “When we first met her, I felt bad because she didn’t have any friends. But then, she ended up actually being nice.”
“Does she let you boss her around?” Charli asked.
Layla snickered. “Maybe?”
“Probably,” Charli corrected, though she really hadn’t seen Layla being overly bossy with Amelia.
“Why did you want to know?” Layla asked.
“Just curious,” Charli said. “You seem to have fun hanging out with her.”
“She’s kind of like how Peyton was when he first came. Only she’s not my cousin.”
