“It’s not the end of the world. I have a tattoo.” She stuck out her foot to display a blue flowering vine circling her delicate ankle.
“You’re twenty, and Lark is fourteen. You’ve earned the right to make your own decisions. Anyway, it’s illegal.”
“Good point. If I’d gotten a tattoo when I was your daughter’s age, my mom would have skinned me.”
“Exactly.” She turned to walk behind the small counter. “I’m working on a suitable punishment. I don’t think Lark will be seeing Rose for the rest of the summer.”
“She isn’t going to like that one bit.”
Rachel glanced up from counting the change in the cash register. “It’s a punishment. She’s not supposed to like it.”
“If it’s any consolation, I think you’re making a wise decision. That Rose girl is trouble. I don’t know what Lark sees in her.”
“Her sixteen-year-old brother is cute, and he has a car.”
“That would explain it.”
She slid the register drawer shut. “You’re all set. I have some paperwork to do in back. Call me if things get too busy.”
“Will do.”
Stopping to pour coffee into a mug with her name on it, Rachel headed to her office. Sitting at her desk, she reached for the file holding time cards, ready to tackle payroll.
Her hand shook as she pictured her daughter wandering through one of San Francisco’s less savory neighborhoods. Anything could have happened. The police—
A vivid memory of Kane’s steady blue gaze intruded on her thoughts.
The attraction between them had been instant, and the idea of seeing him again was enticing. A vacation might well be the answer to her current problem. At the moment, her goal was to keep Lark away from Rose. A camping trip to the Sierras would certainly accomplish that. She turned on her computer, waited until it hummed to life then pulled up the website for Granite Lake Retreat.
Photos portrayed a crystal clear lake surrounded by mountains. Tiny cabins dotted a shoreline where several canoes were tied to a dock. The number to call for reservations was prominently displayed in the top right corner. Rachel was tempted enough to reach for paper and pen to jot it down. Jade and Ivy would have a blast. They deserved a vacation. So did she.
She flipped open her day planner. Nothing important was scheduled before the end of the month except an orthodontist appointment for Jade that could be changed. The week following, Jade had soccer camp, Ivy had swim lessons and Lark was enrolled in a jazz dance clinic at the community college. She and the girls would be in Tahoe the last few days in June for her ex-mother-in-law’s sixtieth birthday party. The camping trip would have to come before the party. Taking a breath, she dialed the number.
“Granite Lake Retreat.” A pleasant female voice chirped the greeting. “How may I help you?”
“Hi. I was wondering if you have any openings starting next Thursday.”
“How many people in your party, ma’am?”
“Four.”
“Actually, we do. We just had a cancellation that opened up two cabins. How many days will you be staying?”
“Seven nights.” May as well jump in with both feet.
“Terrific. Let’s go over a few details.”
Rachel grabbed a note pad to write down the list of items she’d need, along with directions to the pick-up point. Apparently customers hiked to the actual campsite.
When the woman asked, Rachel provided her pertinent information and credit card number. She was about to hang up when she remembered Daisy.
“Are dogs allowed?”
“Only if they’re obedient and kept on a leash. Would you like to bring your pet?”
“Yes, she’s a golden retriever and very well behaved.”
“I’ll make a note of it on your reservation. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, I think I have all the information I need.”
“Great, we’ll see you next week. Have a nice day.”
“I’ll try. You, too.”
Rachel hung up the phone. Behind her, a board creaked. She spun around in her chair expecting to see Chandra, but the doorway was empty. The back door to the shop closed with a thud. Frowning, she left her office to open it and check behind the building. Her SUV was parked alongside Chandra’s compact car. Otherwise, the small lot was deserted. Shrugging, she went back inside.
The next couple hours were spent finishing payroll and helping with a rush of customers.
It was noon when the bell over the door jingled and Ellen Patterson sailed through. “I came in a little before I was supposed to. I thought maybe you could use the extra time, Rachel.”
“That was sweet of you. School is dismissed early today, and I have to take Jade home to change before the promotion ceremony.”
“I guessed as much.” Efficient and eager to please, Ellen had been with Rachel since she opened the shop soon after her divorce.
“Now that you’re here, I have a question. How would you feel about putting in some overtime at the end of the month?”
Ellen set her purse on a shelf and glanced over. “I’d love to. I could use the extra money.”
Chandra looked up from itemizing a stack of books. “I don’t have a problem with it either. Are you expecting the shop to be extra busy?”
“No, I was thinking about taking a vacation, a camping trip to the mountains with the girls.”
Ellen’s smile lit her plain face. “That’s great. You never take any time off.”
Chandra nodded. “Between the three of us, we can handle the shop. I’m sure Tim won’t mind working a few extra hours.”
“Thanks, both of you. I appreciate it.”
Rachel finished in the office and left to pick up her kids. All three girls were full of talk about the last day of school. Even Lark made an effort to be pleasant. The cynical side of Rachel assumed it was an attempt to butter her mother up before a punishment was handed down.
Jade’s promotion ceremony went smoothly. With her hair flowing in curls down her back and wearing a short, lavender dress, she looked so beautiful Rachel’s heart ached.
Her mother leaned forward and squeezed her hand. “It’s like seeing you again at that age.”
“And you, Mom. We’re definitely three peas in a pod.”
After the brief reception following the ceremony, Rachel drove the girls home for a short rest before they had to take off again.
She was sitting on the couch, sorting through the mail when a piece of paper floated into her lap.
She glanced up at Lark standing above her. “What’s this?”
“My report card.”
Unfolding the paper, a smile spread. “You got all A’s. Honey, I’m proud of you.”
Lark frowned. “Ivy isn’t the only one who can get straight A’s around here.”
“I never thought she was. This is terrific. Your teachers have given you nothing but good comments.”
“I hope you’ll take my grades into account when you decide on my punishment.” She stuffed her hands into her pockets. “I don’t know why I got the tattoo. It seemed like the thing to