Page 40 of Naughty by Nature

She grinned and shrugged. “Cheyenne is okay. I like the girls, although they’re kind of irritating.”

“You’re a teenager— that makes everyone irritating.”

“Yeah, true. And I guess they aren’t as irritating as some.”

Sheridan supposed that was as much approval as he was going to get. Leaning over he pressed a kiss to her head and pulled her in for a squeeze. “Thank you, O patient one. I love you, love bug.”

“Love you too, Daddy.”

As he stepped through the door Olivia called him back and he ducked his head in.

“Dad? I think Mom would have liked her too.”

Sheridan clenched his jaw at the wise words from his teen. “Yes, I think you’re right. Night, honey.”

* * *

Olivia foughtthe tears in her eyes. It was hard missing someone so much. It seemed like there was no ease to it, it just kept going on.

Her mom had been gone a long time. Years. But it felt like it had been yesterday. Olivia could still feel her mother stroking her hair as she lay in bed, and the feel of her hugs. She had so many questions she wanted answered about life, death, love, the future… but she didn’t have anyone close enough to ask. Her dad was great, really but such a guy, she wanted to talk with a mom sometimes. The grandparents were okay, but she didn’t get a chance to see them much. One set had moved to Houston, and the other Florida. There had been mention about going out to see her mother’s parents in Florida this summer, but she wasn’t going to hold her breath. Seemed like there was a lot of other stuff going on right now.

Olivia liked Cheyenne. She’d tried not to, but the woman was really nice, thoughtful without making a big deal about things. She’d made lasagna and winked at her as she set the plate in front of Olivia. It had almost been as good as her mother’s, she had to admit. Then, earlier today she’d found a stack of clean laundry on her bed, as well as a book. It was by an author Olivia loved, and she’d just finished the previous book. Olivia had let out a not-so-mature squeal and dove right into it.

Mom would tell her to thank Cheyenne for the lovely gift. She still needed to do that.

And the girls weren’t so bad, really. She’d thought it would be annoying to have them all around but it was so much better than being in this big house all alone so much. They were fun and it was nice being looked up to like she was the big sister or something. They would play in the pool tomorrow and veg.

And she would remember to thank Cheyenne for the book.

---