Page 107 of Holiday Hire

"Okay, well I can't wait to find out your secret," I tell them, and we step into the dining room.

Everyone sits. I pull out a chair for Phoebe to sit next to me. She looks at it and then goes and sits down on the other side of Mason.

My chest tightens.

She's still upset with me.

Why did everything I said have to come out sounding so wrong?

My number one job is to protect my kids. If she can't understand that, then I'm not sure what to tell her,I say to myself, trying to justify our conversation earlier.

Paisley looks at Phoebe and asks, "How were the races last night?"

Phoebe doesn't look at me, answering, "It was fun."

"Who won the bet?" Willow asks.

"Pheebs won," I interject.

"Pheebs?" Mason mutters under his voice.

I kick him under the table. He chuckles, and I realize I shouldn't have let the nickname slip.

It's just a name. Lots of people give other people nicknames.

Yeah, when they like someone.

Stop worrying about this,I tell myself.

"Yes! Told you Sweetie Pie would win!" Wilder boasts.

"Yeah! We knew she'd beat all of them!" Ace adds.

"Phoebe had seven to two odds too. And that was a good eye you both had," I say, praising my sons.

"I called it first," Wilder claims.

"No, you didn't. I pointed out she was ready to win," Ace proclaims.

I groan. "Do you two ever stop fighting?"

"He always takes all the credit. But I said it first," Ace continues.

"Enough. Let's eat our breakfast in peace," I scold.

Wilder shoots Ace a funny face, and Ace gives him one back.

"Come on, knock it off," I order.

"So how much money did you win?" Paisley asks.

"$4,500," Phoebe answers.

"Awesome. What are you going to do with it?" Willow inquires.

Phoebe smiles. "I have some ideas, but I'll let you know when I figure it out."

"Secrets don't make friends," Willow chirps.

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