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“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No, I was just showering, so I had to rinse fast and run for the phone. Andrew took the kids to the park so I could have some time to myself.”

“And everything’s okay?”

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“I heard Andrew and the kids on the voicemail you left. Why was everyone home? Are you guys sick?”

“Oh, no, thank God. The kids were home today for some teacher training thing going on in the district. Then Andrewdecided it’d be a good idea to stay home, too. He thought we could have a relaxing day at home as a family.”

“Didn’t go so well?” Katherine snickered even though she knew she was poking at Andie’s frazzled last nerve.

“Nope. But on the bright side, I have a new respect for teachers and an even greater appreciation for my former law career. God knows, if I had any sense, I’d run right back to it.”

“Really?”

“Without a doubt.”

“But you’re such a good mom, and the kids are so blessed to have you at home.”

There was a long moment of silence.

“I’m sorry, honey,” Andie finally said, sounding remorseful. As if complaining about her kids and husband to her widowed sister was an unkind and unnecessary thing to do. “I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. Besides, you don’t need to hear me whining about nothing.”

Katherine didn’t respond. Instead, she tried to think of something to say that would make Andie feel better.

“Katherine… you still there?”

“Of course. I’m just listening.” Then an uncomfortable silence settled between them. “So, are you guys for sure gonna be at Mom and Daddy’s tonight?”

“Of course we will. You know me, any night I don’t have to cook is a good night. Besides, Mom said it wasextremely important,and we justhadto be there.”

“Extremely important?” Katherine said with a note of humor in her voice. “That’s an interesting choice of words.”

“Why do I get the feeling you knowexactlywhat’s going on?” Andie teased, waiting for an answer that wasn’t coming. “Alright… not gonna spill the beans, huh? Okay. But I’m going to find out later, right?”

Katherine laughed.

“Young lady, I’m gonna take that as a yes!” Andie replied in her best Jerome Bennett country-boy accent, and Katherine laughed again. “Have you talked to Daddy about this dinner thing?”

“No, but he called me on my cell once and at home twice. He even left two voicemails on my machine.”

“What?! Shut your mouth! Now you’re just flat-out lying.”

“No. It’s true.”

“Well, well, well… thisissomething serious. What did he say in the messages?”

“That he’d be there to protect me.”

“I’ll protect you too,” came a deep voice from across the room, and Katherine looked up from doodling hearts to see Matthew standing there with an overnight bag in his hand. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a crisp white button-down shirt. His hair was wet from a recent shower, and he looked incredible.

“Andie, I gotta go,” Katherine said. “No, I’m being serious. There’s someone at the door. I’ll see you soon.”

Katherine hung up the phone and smiled at Matthew.

“Well, hello, handsome man.”