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see her mom that her face could have split. She kicked her chubby legging

clad legs and fisted both hands in her mom’s long blonde hair. Shannon was

very pretty but looked extremely frazzled and very tired.

“I hope it’s okay. I was talking to your mom about schools. She

mentioned that you were at a parent teacher meeting for Amelia. Sorry, I

really wasn’t trying to be nosy, but Beth said that you’d maybe want to

consider a different school. I had some time , and when your mom had a

meeting, I volunteered to watch Sky. I hope that’s okay. I do know CPR—”

“Thank you,” Shannon said sincerely. “For watching her. I mean it. You

and my mom are life savers. Really.” Her face darkened. “I most definitely

will be looking for a different school after today. Amelia is a great kid and

if her teachers can’t see that—she’s six, for goodness sakes—then I’m not

going to send her there. I can’t, ugh, I can’t even talk about that without

getting steamed up. Of all the nerve to say that a six-year-old is too

imaginative!”

“I have no idea why someone would say that.” Arabella handed over the

diaper bag. She patted the side. “I tucked a folder in there with some

information on some really great schools that I found. I realize you’ll be

going back to work soon, so I made sure the bus routes worked with your

house.”

Shannon’s face melted and tears streaked down her cheeks. “Thank you!”

She stepped forward and suddenly tugged Arabella in for a tight hug. Sky,

who was sandwiched between them, let out a squeal of joy at being so close

to them both. “Thank you so, so much!”

Arabella waved to Sky after Shannon thanked her again and walked out.

Sky actually waved back.

Arabella had never really thought about a family of her own. She’d been

so embroiled in her dad’s drama and looking after her parents and sister for

the past year, and too busy with work and college before that, to even think

about settling down.