Page 14 of Dreaming Without Heartache

“Deal.” I hold out my hand for her to shake. She takes it without hesitation. A smile, a true one, spreads across her face.

“Deal,” she says. Her hand holds mine a moment longer before letting go to walk down the steps toward her Highlander. “Good night, Allie.” I like hearing my name coming from her lips.

“Good night.” I turn toward the house and make my way back to Steven on the patio. But Sam’s there in the back of my mind, and in full color. I’m not sure how to feel about that yet.

Chapter Six

“Hello,” I say, answering the door. It’s Bill’s mother.

“I was hoping I could see the girls today.” She doesn’t find the need to greet me back. “I haven’t seen them in weeks.”

“Come in.” I motion her inside. It’s ten o’clock on Saturday morning. I would have enjoyed a little heads-up that she was stopping by.

Judy Banks walks past me. Her perfume is so strong that it fills the air all the way down the hall as she walks to the living room. I’ve always hated that smell. So did Annie. It’s overpowering. It’s like she’s trying to make a statement by marking her territory.

“Gigi!” Maisie runs over to give her a hug.

“Don’t wrinkle my pants, dear. Gigi has a luncheon at the country club.” She pats the top of Maisie’s head like she’s a pet. Maisie releases her grip on her waist. “I was wondering if the girls would like to join me. They can swim and have lunch.” Judy doesn’t look my way. “Would you like that, Maisie?”

Maisie looks at me. “Can we?”

“May I?” Judy corrects her.

“Huh?” Maisie says.

“It’s excuse me, Maisie. Not huh.”

I really want to roll my eyes. “Maisie, go ask Kara if she wants to go, and if so, you both need to get your swimsuits together with a towel.”

“And she needs something different to wear.” Judy looks Maisie up and down. “Do you have a sundress?”

I release a breath of frustration. “Maisie, run along and first see if Kara wants to go. I’m surprised you didn’t call, Judy. Not like you to just show up.” I can’t stop the sarcastic remark.

“It seems you don’t like to return my calls.” Judy’s voice is high-pitched with irritation. “They’re my grandchildren. I should get to see them more than this.”

“Not when you bring them back home and Maisie’s upset because you were on her all day about her manners and grammar. She’s only seven years old and has just lost both her parents. Give her a break.”

“It’s never too early to learn what’s proper.”

I shake my head as I walk away. “Let me check on the girls.” When I reach the top of the stairs Maisie’s standing outside Kara’s bedroom door.

“She won’t answer me.” Maisie frowns.

“Kara.” I knock. “Gigi’s here and wants to spend time with you.” No answer. I twist the doorknob to find it locked. “Kara.” I knock again.

“Hold on!” she finally says.

I look down at Maisie. “Promise me when you become a teenager that you won’t be this grumpy.” She giggles.

“What’s so important?” Kara says as she opens the door. She’s still in her pajamas.

“You need to start getting up earlier,” I say, a little aggravated with her snarky personality. Kara rolls her eyes.

“Gigi’s here,” Maisie says. “Want to go swimming?” Her little hands clasp together like she’s praying in hopes that Kara will say yes.

Kara sighs. “At the country club I bet.”

“Yeah. Are you up for it?” I ask.