Like shed be fooled? There were places in Virginia to ride horses, too. Hed insisted that hed miss them, that he wasnt sending them because he didnt want to spend time with them, but the man was a lousy liar. If hed done something criminal at work, there was no wonder hed been caught.
At least he put us in a coed school. All-girl would have been a nightmare.
Though she wouldnt have admitted to her little brother that she found his presence comforting, shed been glad he was at Newsome, too. Besides, if theyd been separated, she would have worried about PJ.
Starting at the end of Augustbarely weeks awaythey would be in separate schools for the first time since hed entered kindergarten. Shed be an eighth grader at a public middle school, while Paul Jr. would go to third grade at an elementary school. Newsome had continued straight through high school, breaking age groups up into different class buildings on the same grounds.
During their weeks in Florida with the grandparents PJ had been uncharacteristically calm about Neves no longer being around to look out for him at school. Hed been too busy being excited about being home, being closer to Aunt Lily, making new friendsNeve would miss hers like crazyand spending time with their father. Ha! Hadnt her brother noticed that even when theyd visited at Christmas theyd had to wait around for Dad to wrap up important work before he took them on whatever promised outing was scheduled? Besides, their dad wasnt even home. He was in prison. The guy whod lectured PJ about why playing a good, honest game was always more important than winning and had warned Neve that her active imagination was no excuse for lyingand hed committed a federal crime! Well, if she had to write some stupid school paper this year on who her heroes were, Paul certainly wouldnt be mentioned.
Even when he got out of prison, theyd have to share him with his new wife. My stepmother. The word mostly conjured images of evil psycho women from fairy tales. The stories her mom had once read her at bedtime, when Neve had been young enough to think shed always want her room painted pink. Wonder if the step will let me paint it black? Four black walls might actually be too much, but it would be fun to ask.
Neve had met Kate two Junes ago, when she and PJ had come home for the summer. Dad had thought he was being suave, hinting throughout dinner that Kate, their model-gorgeous guest, was someone special. Unable to take the little suggestions that the kids treat Kate like one of the family, Neve had asked outright if her father was getting married. Shed known. Shed known as soon as hed started talking up his girlfriend before theyd even left the airport. The only girlfriend hed had since
She swallowed the painful knot in her throat, redirecting her thoughts to the comparatively easier event of her dads engagement. Sensing her father was trying to break the news of an impending second marriage hadnt entirely prepared Neve for confirmation of her question. Dad and Kate had exchanged glances as hed nodded, then hed looked expectantly at Neve, whod felt like she couldnt breathe. PJ had appeared equally wobbly. The kid was so small for his age he looked like a baby half the time even when he wasnt on the brink of tears. Trying to get it together for both their sakes, Neve had asked what they were supposed to call their impending stepparent. No freaking way Neve was calling her Mom.
Kate had seemed as weirded out by the idea of being a stepmother as Neve was at having one and quickly assured them that just Kate would be fine. Paul had beamed, apparently thrilled they were already blending as a family or whatever.
What did he know? After all, wasnt he in jail for something stupid? She wondered if Kate would give her the details if she asked. Aunt Lily mostly just wrung her hands, called the whole thing unfortunate and tried to change the subject. Neve used to be able to talk to her aunt about stuff, but it seemed like Lily and Dad werent getting along so well anymore. Neve wasnt particularly thrilled with some of his decisions, either, but things were bad enough without rocking the boat. She was old enough to know better, but sometimes she just wanted the illusion that things were still close to the way theyd been when Mom was alive.
Footsteps on the stairs and muffled voices told Neve shed be dealing with her stepmother sooner rather than later. She cast a wary glance toward the closed window. If the situation got desperate, she always had the circus as a backup plan.
Kate sucked in a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. Did twelve-year-olds typically shut their doors? Probably. Kate respected the kids right to privacy, but when shed been this age, all shed had was a dividing curtain. If Neve kept the thing closed, how would Kate know if the girl was doing drugs or downloading school papers off the Internet or anything else it was Kates duty to prevent for the next five months?
On the other hand, it wasnt as if shed been monitoring Neves every move while the budding teen was in New England, either.
Knowing that PJs room was far enough down the hall the noise probably wouldnt bother him, Kate knocked on the door. It opened to reveal a young woman, seemingly taller than shed been mere weeks ago, with green eyes that were huge on her angular face and frizzy wheat-colored hair. Neve didnt speak, giving Kate a mild state-your-business glare.
Hey, Kate said. I wasnt expecting you guys yet or I would have been home earlier.
Neve shrugged. How could you know Pa-pa would get sick?
Behind Kate, Lily made a small sound, and Kate kicked herself for not telling the other woman she was sorry to hear her dad was in the hospital. Basic etiquette! Kate was known to be the best person in the office for coolly dealing with sudden crises, but anything involving the kids threw her off her game. Well, its your first night. Youll get better at this in no time.
And there was no time like the present.
Can we come in? Kate prompted, feeling bizarrely like a vampire who couldnt enter without a specific formal invitation.
The girl moved aside in wordless grudging concession.
Were not keeping you up, are we, dear? Lily asked, hovering in the background like the worlds largest butterfly. Nature similes seemed appropriate to the earthy, doe-eyed, dark-haired woman who didnt look much like pictures of her late sister. Youre probably exhausted.
Neve remained silent as she sat on the corner of her double bed, but her nostrils flared delicately. Kate bit back a grin, guessing Lily had fretted over the kids all evening.
Kate suspected Pauls sister-in-law considered her aloof. Then were even. Kate considered Pauls sister-in-law to be potentially smothering.
If you are tired, Kate said, leaning against a small desk near the doorway, we can talk in the morning. I just wanted to say hi, see if there was anything you needed.
Like what? Neves tone was neutral, but there was an air of challenge in the way the teenager tilted her head, as if scenting ineptitude.
Umtowels?
Thanks, but PJ and I know where everything is. Her eyes narrowed. Unless youve changed something?
No, everything should be in the usual spot. Well. I guess Ill let you get back to, um, whatever. Taking a stab at congeniality, Kate smiled in Lilys direction. Thanks for providing supper for them and tucking them
Its not like she had to help us into our jammies, Neve muttered. On the contrary, the young woman was wearing silky mint-green pants with navy cuffs and a matching button-down nightshirt that made her look like a junior Victorias Secret catalogue model, slumber-party edition.
Kate met the girls sarcasm with a raised eyebrow and a quelling glance. At least she hoped it was quelling. Why dont you tell your aunt thank you before I show her out?
I can show myself, Lily said crisply. No need for drawn-out goodbyes when Ill probably see you all again tomorrow.
So soon? Well look forward to it.
Good night, Neve. You know you can call me anytime you need anything.
Neve nodded, and Kate grimaced inwardly. Oh, sure, Lily didnt get any flippant retorts about towels.
Lily paused at Kates side. You should feel free to call me, too, you know. Whenever you need help.
The offer might have been more appreciated if Lily hadnt sounded so damn sure Kate would need help. Immediately and often.
Kate would show them. Single mothers juggled jobs and children all the time, and shed conquered every goal shed ever set for herself. Motherhood would be no different.
CHAPTER 3
Kates first thought was that she was being watchedthe kind of focused, silent stare that might come from a dog who needed to be let out for his morning constitutional. Slowly recalling that she didnt own a dog, she struggled to open her eyes.
Her gaze immediately collided with a small boys. PJ. Reality clicked into placethe kids had returned and today would be her first full day alone with them. Her heart thudded in her ears. If she were awake enough to think rationally, she would tell herself shed known this was coming. What difference did it make that it had happened earlier than expected? But rational had apparently hit the snooze button.
Morning, PJ. Since she was lying on her side and he was leaning against the mattress, his face was mere inches from hers. Unaccustomed to waking under close scrutiny, at least shed managed not to scream, curse or otherwise traumatize him.
He blinked at her, his face a miniature of his fathers except for Heathers hazel eyes. Do you know how to make waffles?
Good question. She yawned, trying to remember if they had any waffles in the freezer.
Your breath is stinky.
Thats what you get for standing so close, kid. Was she supposed to reprimand him for being rude or applaud his truthfulness? Let me brush my teeth, then well talk about waffles.
Okay. He waited until she stood, then fell in step with her. Neve says you probably cant cook.
Kate was irritated by this assessment, but the girl wasnt entirely wrong. I can cook some things. Including a shrimp pasta dish that was her single cooking-for-a-date meal and a layered dip that was her fallback dish for social events where she wanted to make a good impression by bringing something. Unfortunately that repertoire got old fast and would be of no help for breakfast. She paused in the doorway. PJ, I have to go to the bathroom now.
Okay, her new shadow responded.
Alone, all right?
Sure. Ill wait here.
Since shed never been one to carry on conversations from inside the stall of public restrooms, it was a little weird to have PJ calling questions through the door.
Do you ever watch cartoons? he asked conversationally. Thats what I was doing, but my show went off. Neves taking a shower and couldnt play with me. She said when shes done, shell find me some Pop-Tarts or something, but I want waffles. And she takes too long in the bathroom. Always brushing her hair and stuff. Are you done yet?
When she opened the door, PJ practically fell onto the tile floor. It didnt take a child psychologist to understand why he might be a little clingy right now. Kate would be patient with his being underfoot.
As long as she could avoid tripping over him, they would be fine. Sowaffles, huh? Lets see what I can do.
A search of the freezer revealed that there were no instant waffles to be found. Maybe she had a recipe? It dawned on Kate that she only owned one cookbooka novelty gift on cooking for your lover. She gestured toward the family room, visible through the wall cutout above the kitchen sink.
Do you want to watch television? Maybe you can find more cartoons. I can call you when the wafwhen breakfast is ready, she amended, hedging her bets.
Okay.
Thanks, buddy. Appreciating his agreeable manner, she surprised herself by ruffling his hair. When he shot her a warm, approving smile, confidence filled her. She could definitely do this.
The mothering part anyway. The waffling part grew fuzzier as she pulled one foreign apparatus after another from the cabinets in search of the waffle iron. Her attempt to separate eggs was only partially successful, but how much damage could a little yolk do to the recipe? Shed begun pouring lumpy batter into the iron when her stepdaughter suddenly made her presence known.
What is that?
Kate jumped, glancing at the book open on the kitchen island. A cookbook. The waffle recipe was on the right-hand page, opposite a tasteful yet provocative breakfast-in-bed photo.
But hes not wearing a shirt. And Neve took a closer look. Youre not supposed to let us see stuff like that.
Then stop looking. Kate shut the book with a snap, then shoved it behind her back for good measure. Speaking of clothes, what are you wearing?
Neve glanced down, her expression genuinely quizzical. Shirt and jeans.
Yes, but the sparkly blue shirt had the word Juicy emblazoned across the chest. What was that supposed to mean? Then again, Kate wasnt about to start making parental objections before their first breakfast. She knew enough from Patti to choose her battles, and that didnt include what Neve wore around the house. All right. I
Are your waffles burning?
Damn. Shootthats not what I meant. The first thing.
Grinning, Neve leaned against the kitchen island as if waiting to hear other things Kate shouldnt say in front of them.
Why dont you go keep an eye on your brother?
Hes just watching TV. I can see him from here. Neve peered around Kate. You have batter left. If you want, maybe I could make the waffles. I used to help my
Heather? Well, that would explain why Paul owned a waffle iron in the first place. Thank you. I still need a shower. Are you responsible enough to take over kitchen duty?
Of course. The nostalgic expression had been replaced by one of almost haughty adolescent confidence. Not like Im gonna burn down the house.
Great. Because Im not sitting through an arson trial, too.
Kate made it through the shampoo cycle before the water heater gave up the ghost. Rinsing conditioner from her hair with increasingly cold water, she decided PJ must not have been exaggerating about his sisters bathroom schedule. Just how long had Neve been in the shower? As Kate wrapped herself in a towel, a strange buzzing drew her attention to the bathroom counter. Her phone, in vibrate mode, was pulsing across the cultured-marble surface.
Bangs dripping into her eyes, she answered. Hello?
Katewonderful. Delias voice was strained. Please get down here and tell these kids to let me in.