“What was his name?” Emily asked, clearly hooked.
“Constantine. He was the little black-and-white pinto. We called him Tino. He lives on a ranch in Montana, and next month he’ll be in a big movie.” That promotional campaign had been the last one she’d worked on before her world caved in, and she was clinging to that success for all she was worth. It kept her from feeling like a complete failure.
“I’d really like to see it,” Emily said.
“Me, too.” She almost added that they could go to the theater together, but she was afraid to sound presumptuous. After all, she didn’t officially have this job yet. Standing, she put the plate of cookies on the table and filled two glasses with punch. “Are you guys hungry?”
“Starving,” Kyle responded in typical boy fashion. Even though she knew he wasn’t related to Ridge, he instantly reminded her of his stepfather. Forthright and confident, with a quick smile. Half the girls in town probably had crushes on this kid.
Pleased with how their first meeting had gone, she sat down and listened while they told Marianne about their day. School would be finished soon, and then they’d be home for the summer. With the twins due in July or August, it would be a busy time for the family.
And possibly for her, too. It sure would beat wringing her hands, waiting for another anvil to fall on her head, she mused as she broke off a quarter of a cookie.
“You don’t have to do that.” Kyle nodded toward the partial cookie she held. “There’s plenty. You can have a whole one.”
“Oh, this is fine. I don’t eat a lot of sweets.” When the two of them stared at her as if she’d been transported in from another planet, she decided it was best to play along. Picking up the rest of the cookie, she grinned. “But these are really good, if I do say so myself.”
“Amanda’s going to be here the next few days, to see if she’d like to help us out while I’m resting,” Marianne explained. “If we all agree, we’ll ask her to stay.”
“I like her, Mommy,” Emily chirped sweetly. “I’ve always wanted a big sister.”
Kyle was eyeing her curiously, and Amanda decided to take a shot. “What about you? Think we can get along?”
“Sure. Can my buddies meet you?”
“As our friend,” his mother insisted. “I know Amanda’s very pretty, but the last thing she needs is a herd of twelve-year-old boys camped out on the porch, staring through the windows at her.”
Kyle’s shoulders slumped, but he mumbled some kind of agreement. Feeling sorry for him, Amanda leaned over and whispered, “They can stare a little. I don’t mind.”
That perked him up, and they fist-bumped to seal their deal. After a few more minutes, Marianne excused herself to go to the bathroom, artfully leaving the three of them to get better acquainted. To Amanda’s tremendous relief, it went well. Before long she was helping Emily study for tomorrow’s math test and listening to Kyle run through a list of key dates in the American Revolution.
As poorly as the day had started, it was ending on a very positive note. Maybe, she thought hopefully, this was a sign of better things to come.
* * *
You needed an engineering degree to run this space-age washing machine.
Muttering to herself, Amanda reread the instructions for the third time and tapped the touch screen, but all she could do was make it spin. No water, no agitator, just spin. Having relied on a service for years, she was sorely out of practice in the laundry department. Determined to figure things out, she glowered at the control panel, as if she could scare it into cooperating.
Finally, she found the right combination of settings, and water flowed into the tub. She whooped in triumph, then halted mid-celebration. Had she already added the soap? She vaguely recalled hearing a receptionist at her old office complain about using too much detergent in her fancy new washing machine and having to pay a technician to clean it out.
Sighing in frustration, Amanda waited impatiently, tapping her foot until bubbles appeared in the water. It wasn’t graceful or easy, but she managed to get a couple of loads done and dried that evening. The prize was that she’d be able to wear her own clothes tomorrow.
It was almost dark when John and Ridge came through the kitchen door, covered in dust and sweat. Without a single word, John headed straight into the downstairs bathroom.
“Don’t mind him,” Ridge advised wearily. “He’s mad ’cause he had to walk in from that farthest back field when his tractor quit again. How’s it going in here?” He nodded at the piles of laundry spread across the counter.
She’d never admit how much trouble the simple task had caused her, so she smiled. “Oh, fine. I’m just trying to keep everyone’s clothes straight.”
“There’s a lot to do,” he commented with a frown. “Sorry about that.”
“No problem.” After all, the more work there was, the more they needed her. “Is Matt with you guys?”
“No, he went home a couple hours ago to take over baby duty. Hailey’s been pretty fussy lately, and he wanted to give Caty a break.”
“Pretty soon, that’ll be you. Two babies will keep you and Marianne pretty busy.”
“You got that right. Could I talk to you about something?” He motioned her to a seat at the table.
Nothing good had ever happened to her after an intro like that, but Amanda tamped down her anxiety and tried to look calm as they sat down. “Sure.”
Folding his hands on the table, he gave her a wry grin. “That didn’t come out well, did it?”
“That depends,” she hedged. “What did you mean to say?”
“Marianne and the kids think you’re perfect for us. Even Tucker, from what I hear. I’m pretty easy to please, but I want to be absolutely clear about something.” Amanda prompted him to continue, and he glanced over his shoulder before leaning in to speak more quietly. “I don’t want Marianne left alone, not even for a few minutes. She’ll insist she can manage on her own for a little while. She might even pull rank on you and make it an order.”
“She doesn’t like being laid up like this,” Amanda added to show she understood. “Besides that, she’s used to being in charge.”
“Exactly. Plus, she thinks of you like another little sister, and I’m assuming you feel the same way. If she thinks she can do the mom thing on you, she will.”
Amanda leaned in with a determined look. “She can try all she wants, but it won’t work with me. I’ve been swimming with sharks for years, and she’s got nothing on them.”
Sitting back, Ridge studied her with a thoughtful expression. Even though she knew it was stupid, she actually held her breath, wondering what kind of decision he’d reach.
When he offered her a large, scarred hand, her pulse kicked up eagerly. She waited a beat before responding. “You’re already convinced you want me to stay?”
“Did you mean what you said?”
“Absolutely. Fudging only leads to trouble, and I’m not looking for any more of that.”
“Good to know.” Shaking her hand, he stood and said, “Now I’m gonna go enjoy a little Disney time with my family. Good night.”
“Night, Ridge.”
She watched him stroll into the living room where Marianne and the kids were lounging on the bed, watching some