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Charli hadn’t known why Jackson was calling her, but as she listened to his explanation, she appreciated his concern. “Yeah. I haven’t been able to figure that out either. Especially because Layla enjoys spending time with Amelia.”
“Isn’t that a bit… weird?” Jackson asked.
“A bit,” Charli admitted. “But I can’t exactly forbid Layla from being friends with Amelia. If I did that, everyone would definitely be questioning why.”
“Yeah.” Jackson sighed. “Anyway, I just wanted you to know that he’ll probably be there tonight with Amelia.”
“I suspected as much,” Charli said. “But thanks for the head’s up.”
“Yep. See you later, because I’ll be there too.”
Charli said goodbye, then tossed her phone onto the bed. With a sigh, she went to her closet to swap the black slacks and green blouse she’d worn to school for a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt.
She emptied her school bag onto her desk, then picked up her phone again. As she left the bedroom, she met Layla coming out of hers.
“How long until Peyton gets here?”
“About an hour, most likely.”
“Will we be able to watch a movie?”
“Probably. We’ll have to see what his parents say about the options.”
“Okay.” Layla went into the kitchen ahead of her. “Did Grandma Dee make more cookies?”
“I think so. She usually does,” Charli said, smiling at Layla’s name for Denise.
Layla may have missed out on knowing Blake’s parents, but she didn’t lack for grandparental figures in her life. Positive grandparental figures. It didn’t sound like Blake’s parents would have been that, even if they’d known about Layla.
Climbing up on a stool, Layla pulled the cookie container toward her on the counter. She cracked the lid open, then grinned. “Yep. Lots of cookies.”
For a moment, Charli saw a resemblance to Blake in Layla’s grin. There had been plenty of times when he’d smiled at her like that, but the memory of his smile had faded over time. Because of that, she hadn’t registered that resemblance until recently, thanks to his return.
“Is Amelia coming too?” Layla asked as she settled back on the stool.
“I think so.” Charli began to pull out the things they used when they had the large group there for pizza.
“That’s good. I think she likes me and Peyton.”
“You don’t mind that she’s younger than you? Younger even than Peyton.”
Layla shrugged. “She doesn’t act like a baby.”
“And she does what you say,” Charli said. “You like to boss her around.”
That got a laugh out of Layla. “Maybe a bit. But I don’t force her to do anything. I’m not mean.”
“No. You’re not.”
“Want me to cut lettuce for the salad?” Layla asked, apparently done with the subject of her bossiness.
Since it was the task Layla usually took on for the pizza nights, Charli nodded. While Layla got the salad fixings from the fridge, Charli set out the plates, cups, napkins, and plasticware. They were just finishing up the salad when Will and Janessa arrived home.
Charli had been very glad when the couple had made the decision to continue to live in the large house, even after they were married. It wasn’t going to be a long-term thing, but at least it delayed the emptiness of the house for a bit longer.
After a quick hello, the pair headed upstairs to change. Charli set Layla to making some juice, while she tried to prepare herself for Blake’s arrival.
The week had gone well for Amelia. She appeared to have made a couple of friends, both of whom had been in her Sunday school class.
