Page 7 of Sin Bin

“Don’t be ridiculous, Harris,” Wendi chided. “She’d still be working for Family Services if she hadn’t gotten laid off. That wasn’t her fault. But everything happens for a reason. The job at Gamenetic sounds perfect for her. And she’ll still be helping children—just in a different capacity.”

“I know.” He smiled forlornly at Meadow. “Don’t mind your old man. I was just hoping you’d be able to find a local job so you wouldn’t have to leave home.”

She felt a fresh stab of guilt. “It’s just an interview, Dad. I haven’t gotten the job yet. They might totally hate me.”

He guffawed. “They won’t hate you. Who could ever hate you?”

Your girlfriend, she thought wryly.

He reached across the table and gently covered her hand with his. “I don’t want to clip your wings, sweetheart. Whatever you do, wherever life takes you, I’ll always be here for you.”

Aunt rosalie picked her up from the airport on Thursday morning. She was driving the beige Lexus she’d bought with part of her generous divorce settlement.

When Meadow emerged from the terminal, her aunt hopped out of the car, rushed around the front and threw her arms around her with a joyous squeal. “It’s so good to see you!”

“You, too.” Meadow grinned, hugging her back. “Thanks for picking me up.”

“No thanks necessary! I’m so glad you’re here!” Rosalie released her and stroked her cheek, beaming with affection. Like her older brother, she had fair skin, sandy hair and hazel eyes.

“I didn’t think Harris would let you get on the plane,” she teased.

Meadow sighed. “Neither did I.”

Rosalie laughed and grabbed her carry-on bag, stowing it in the trunk while Meadow climbed into the plush leather passenger seat.

Rosalie slid behind the wheel and shot her a sardonic grin. “I’m sure Wendi will be happy to have Harris all to herself this weekend.”

“I know.” Meadow smiled a grim little smile. “Even though I haven’t gotten the job yet, she’s probably already packing up my things.”

“Wouldn’t surprise me.” Rosalie snickered, fastening her seat belt. “She thinks you’re the reason Harris hasn’t proposed yet. She figures if you’re out of the way, she’ll have his undivided attention, which will eventually lead to marriage.” Rosalie rolled her eyes. There was no love lost between her and Wendi with an i.

Meadow sighed. “She doesn’t have to like me. As long as she makes Dad happy, that’s all that matters.”

Rosalie snorted. “How big of you.”

As they left the airport and headed down the highway, Meadow stared out the window at the soaring Rocky Mountains in the far distance. It was her first trip to Denver and she couldn’t wait to see more.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t get off from work tonight and tomorrow.” Rosalie was an evening news anchor at a local television station.

“That’s okay,” Meadow assured her. “I know it was short notice.”

“Did you get in touch with your soror who lives here? What’s her name again?”

“Bianca. And, yes, we spoke yesterday. She’s taking me to dinner tomorrow night.”

“That’s good. She’s the one you met at a sorority convention last year, right?”

“Right,” Meadow said warmly. “She was really nice—we hit it off right away. Since then we’ve kept in touch off and on.”

Rosalie smiled, switching lanes. “Just remember not to make any plans on Saturday. I have a fun girls’ outing planned for us.”

Meadow grinned wryly. “Nothing that’s gonna land us on YouTube, I hope?”

Rosalie laughed. “And what if it did? Would that be so terrible?”

“Um, need I remind you that you’re a well-respected news anchor and the mother of a five-year-old—”

“Who’s spending spring break with his daddy in San Diego. If we end up drunk and disorderly on YouTube, I doubt Cameron will see it.”

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