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“Here, let me help you with that.” I took the load and followed her up to her old room
“It’s strange being in here.” She grabbed the corner of the sheet and tucked it under the mattress. “Seems like it was a lifetime ago.”
“A lot has happened since then.” I nodded.
“I’ll never forget the first morning I woke here, how everything smelled so fresh. I remember the window was open, and I listened to all the sounds.” She shook her head with a smile. “The first sweet voice I heard was Abby’s. Funny to think how scared I was then, and now she’s family.”
“She is certainly good at working her way into the heart.” I smiled.
“She sure is.” She smiled warmly back. “This room felt so safe and warm, like no one could touch me here. I really hope the next guest who stays feels the same way.” She fluffed the pillows with care.
We’d had many guests stay since Savannah, but they’d never stayed in this room. I wondered if unconsciously we never thought they were worthy of it. Though only one had been a female, and she only stayed the night downstairs on the couch in the entertainment room. I remembered she hadn’t wanted a room, nor our help, for that matter. Her father sent for her shortly after she got here, and she went home against our warning. Thankfully, things turned out all right for her.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders as we walked together into Cole’s old room. It felt like yesterday they were still living in the main house and not in the little ones where the other families were now. “Well, they will feel safe and warm because you’re here.”
“Thanks.” Her smile turned into a smirk, and I dropped my hand away and tossed the bedsheets across the mattress. “What?”
“Nope.” I pointed for her to take the end and stretch it over the corner. “You and Sue have that same expression, and I know where your head just went.” I knew about the times she was in here and slipped through the passageway when they thought no one was paying attention.
“It went nowhere.” Her tone shot up, and her face was a dead giveaway.
“You lie, and now we need to change the topic to kids.”
“You sure you want to do that?” She made a devious face as I scrambled for another topic. “Fine.” She laughed. “Tell me what I can get for Abby at the market. Something to help her with her appetite.”
“Sue already grabbed some stuff to make her soup, and she’s going to make her some fresh rolls.”
“Yum!” She tugged at the blanket to get it to lay just right, and we headed back toward the stairs.
“Where were you?” Mark caught June as she came in the front door.
“Out.”
“Clearly you were out.” He inspected her clothing. “Where was out?”
“The store.”
“You lie.” He stood straighter, and I glanced at Savannah, who looked like she was enjoying the show. “Where are your bags?”
“Keith is grabbing them.”
“Where’s Keith?” Keith came strolling in with a sandwich hanging out of his mouth.
June closed her eyes and cleared her throat. “I was out, and that’s all you need to know.”
“No.” He blocked her path. “I heard you were at dinner.”
“I was, alone.”
“Oh, her brows went up.” Keith egged the conversation along.
“Boys,” she scowled at them, “I’m a grown woman who is allowed to come and go from this house.”
“Aunt June,” Mark nearly stomped his foot, “don’t make me ask Abby where you’ve been.”
“Marcus Lopez, I’m not your mother, and you don’t need to keep tabs on me.” She brushed by, but not before I saw her cheeks had pinked.
“That’s it.” Mark tossed his hands in the air. “I’m losing control here! Over you, over Mom, over the kids, and don’t get me started on Mia. Even Butters doesn’t listen to me.”