“Now is that a nice thing to say about your old man?” he interrupted, feigning anger.
She smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that you sorta turned green, and I thought you might be getting sick. You know, there’s a flu bug going around. Lots of kids at school are out with it.”
“I’m fine,” he said, averting his gaze while trying to get his shakes under control. “Ah, here comes our food,” he added, hearing the relief in his voice.
“Mmm, that looks yummy.”
“Once we chow down, I have something for you.”
“What?”
“Not now. Be a good girl and eat all your dinner, then you’ll get your surprise.”
Again her face clouded. “I just wish Mom was here. I remember we all used to have such fun together.”
“If I have my way, we will again.”
“You mean you want her and me back?”
Keith reached over and squeezed her hand. “You bet I do, sweetheart.”
Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Daddy, that’s wonderful.”
“But for now, that’s just between us, okay?”
She nodded.
“I want to be the one who tells your mother.”
“You have my word,” she promised, the tears no longer in evidence. “Mum’s the word.”
“Good girl. So how’s your burger?”
“I’ll let you know,” she said, taking her first bite.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, though it was all he could do to force his food down. He wasn’t the least bit hungry. But God, he was thirsty, and not for water. He needed a drink in the worst way.
Robin pushed her empty plate aside, then groaned. “I’m going to have to go on a diet tomorrow.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“You know we’re not allowed to gain an ounce, which makes Mom mad.”
“How’s that?”
“She doesn’t like for Mrs. Morrison to harp on our weight—says it’s not healthy, that we’re growing girls.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Robin frowned in the direction of her plate. “I’m depressed now. I wish I hadn’t eaten all that.”
Keith reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package. “See if this doesn’t make you feel better.”
Robin reached for the gift, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“Go on, open it,” Keith told her.
Seconds later, she gasped, then stared at him. “Are these real?” Her voice was filled with awe.
“You betcha.”
Robin jumped up, ran to his side and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the greatest.”
Nine
This had not been a good day.
Janey almost asked herself what else could possibly happen. But fear of jinxing herself further kept that question at bay.
Robin had left drill team practice and come home, burning up with fever and shaking with chills. After giving her some over-the-counter medication to bring the fever down, Janey had called the doctor. Robin was now on a strong antibiotic.
Janey thought her daughter might need to be in the hospital, but the doctor had assured her that home was the best place for her, that the hospitals were full.
Although he had eased her anxiety somewhat, Janey had kept Robin under close scrutiny, dashing upstairs between customers to check on her.
Now, Hazel had come to work. Since the store wasn’t busy, Janey had been certain that would free her up. Wrong. No rest for the weary. Not long after Hazel had arrived, the toilet in the downstairs bathroom had stopped up. Water had soaked the carpet. Janey had cleaned up as best she could, but it remained a mess.
Now she was waiting for the plumber. And not very patiently, either.
“When it rains, it pours,” Hazel said, her brows furrowed in concern.
“I won’t argue with that.” Janey eased onto the bar stool at the far end of the counter and ran her fingers through her already tousled hair, then cast her eyes toward the stairs.
“You should be upstairs yourself. You look exhausted.”
“I am, but I’ll make it. It’s Robin I’m worried about. She’s so sick.”
“That stuff is everywhere.” Hazel shivered. “I sure don’t want it.”
“Would you rather not be here?” Janey asked, thinking that if Hazel deserted her, she would just turn the sign to Closed and forget it. That was the beauty of owning your own business. Yet she really couldn’t afford that luxury.
As it was, Sweet Dreams still hadn’t come up to its sales potential, which both worried and aggravated her. If that other candy store materialized in the mall, then she would certainly be in a world of hurt. She had meant to call Gwen and see if she’d heard any more about that, but she hadn’t had the time.
“Why, I wouldn’t think of leaving you,” Hazel said in a rather huffy tone. “If I get the crud, then I’ll just get it.”
Janey half smiled. “Thanks, Hazel. I owe you one.”
“You don’t owe me anything, except to take care of your daughter. I’ll see to the plumber and the store. Now skedaddle.”
Janey didn’t hesitate, dashing back upstairs and into Robin’s room. Her daughter was sound asleep but her face was still flushed. Janey crept to the bedside and laid a hand on Robin’s forehead. The girl was still warm, but her temperature was definitely down.
Sagging with relief, Janey sat in the rocker across the room, leaned back and closed her eyes. Soon they popped back open. Even though she was dead tired, sleep wouldn’t come. She was too wired, had too many things on her mind. Robin’s relationship with Keith had her nearly crazy, especially after the stunt he’d pulled last week when he’d taken Robin out to dinner.
The second her daughter had arrived home, Janey had known something out of the ordinary had taken place. Robin’s eyes were wide and filled with excitement. Janey’s heart had taken a nosedive. What was her ex up to now?
Seconds later she knew.
“He did what?” Janey realized her voice had almost reached the shouting level, but she didn’t care.
“Mom, calm down.” Robin’s eyes widened even more. “You’re stroking out over nothing.”
Janey’s lips thinned. “You can’t keep them.”
Robin gave her a dumbfounded stare, then stuttered, “But…but they’re diamond studs.”
“I know what they are. That’s why you have to give them back.”
Robin’s expression became more confused. “But why?”
Janey drew an unsteady breath, knowing she was probably handling this all wrong. At the moment, she was operating on pure emotion, but she couldn’t help it. Damn Keith and his bribes. That was exactly what this was. The only missing piece of the puzzle was the reason. She didn’t know what he was up to, but it was no good.
“Robin, those earrings are at least