Page 28 of Never Fall Again

Minnie nodded. “We’re getting marshmallows.”

“Do I hear my sister out there?” Cal’s Aunt Laura came out of her office, arms wide. Minnie ran to her, and they did that rocking-back-and-forth hug thing. “I thought you were with Carol today?”

Minnie shrugged. “A baby’s coming.”

Aunt Laura looked at Cal, and he explained the change in plans.

She squeezed Minnie tight. “I wish I could stay and talk. Maybe I’ll call Mike this afternoon and crash their supper.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

Mrs. Bunney handed a pass to Cal. “You should keep this in your car. With Abby in kindergarten now, you’re likely to be picking kids up more often than before.”

“True.” He studied the paper. “What does this pass mean?”

“It means they’ll ask you who you’re here for. They’ll double check with me, and I’ll tell them you can have her.”

“Thank you so much. Do we need to get in the car line now?”

“Yes. School dismisses in twenty minutes. We try not to release students at this point because it’s so disruptive.”

Aunt Laura had been the principal of Gossamer Falls Elementary for twenty years. She ran a tight ship. And while she loved having various family members in her halls, she wasn’t big on offering any special favors.

“Not a problem. Aunt Min and I will get in line. Abby’s expecting Mom, but I don’t think she’ll be too sad when she sees who I have with me.”

“I’m sure she won’t.” Aunt Laura gave Aunt Minnie another hug.

They told Mrs. Bunney goodbye and a few minutes later, they were near the back of a stream of cars.

He glanced in his rearview mirror. “Well, hello, neighbor.”

Landry recognized the big black truck as soon as she slid into the back of the car line.

What was Cal doing here?

In front of her, the truck shuddered slightly, then the door opened and Cal emerged from the driver’s side. He spoke to someone in the car, then jogged back to her.

“Hello, neighbor.” His smile was warm and welcoming. She could almost believe he didn’t care that she’d rambled like a loony bird the last time they’d been in each other’s presence.

“Hi. What brings you here?”

“I get to hang out with my best girls today.”

Girls? Plural?

“I’ve got my Aunt Minnie with me. We’re picking up Abby and going back to the house for a few hours.”

“Oh.” She’d heard about his aunt, a woman who was beloved in Gossamer Falls. “I’d love to meet her!”

Cal’s face lit. “Sure. Come on.” He led the way to the passenger side of his truck and opened the door.

A woman in her fifties or sixties peered out at Landry. “Hi. I’m Minnie.” She extended a hand and Landry shook it. “We’re getting Abby. Then marshmallows.”

Landry couldn’t help but smile. There was an innocence about her that made Landry’s heart clench. “Hi, Minnie. I’m Landry. My daughter, Eliza, is good friends with Abby.”

Minnie leaned toward her, still held in the truck by her seat belt. “Abby’s my favorite. Mommy says I’m not supposed to have favorites. But”—her eyes widened—“I do.”

Cal turned all the way around, and Landry suspected he was laughing. She did her best to hold herself together. “I’ve met Abby, and I can see why you feel that way.”

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