Page 33 of Twins for the Silver Foxes

The park? Oh, right. Hannah loved taking Liddy to the park down the road. I’d never had a chance to go with them, but Ryland had taken enough pictures and talked about the place so often that I felt as though I’d been there.

Disquiet took over the room. We’d never struggled to carry on a conversation before, but suddenly every word felt weighted with additional meaning. I sank into the comfort of a leather chair and crossed an ankle over the opposite knee. “It’s almost dinner time. Would you and Liddy like to stay and eat with us?”

“Yes!” Liddy blurted the word out before Hannah had a chance to reply. She pranced around the room, spinning while holding her pink and purple striped skirt out like a ballerina. “I love the food here.” She caught her mother’s look and paused. “Can we stay? Please?”

Hannah nibbled her bottom lip, her gaze skipping over each of us. “Dinner. But then we go home.”

“Thought you said it was good to see us.” Scott dropped into a chair with all the grace of a limp noodle. He’d harbored more anger toward Hannah than Ryland and myself. “Why can’t you stay longer?”

“Because it’s a school day tomorrow.” Hannah snapped right back.

I grinned at the sight of them engrossed in a verbal sparring match. Scott needed the distraction and a chance to get out some of his anger. And from the way Hannah reacted, she had her own aggression to throw right back.

Deena stuck her head around the open door. “Five for dinner?”

“Yes,” I answered. “Deena, do you have a minute? I’d like to introduce you to Hannah and Liddy.”

“Oh, certainly.” She popped into the room, wiped her hands on her apron, and stuck one out to Hannah. “You did a wonderful job, my dear. The place was spotless. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”

“I was happy to help.” Hannah stood and shook Deena’s hand. “How’s your daughter and grandbaby?”

Deena beamed. “Beautiful. I’m smitten. Why, if it wasn't for these three, I would have been tempted to stay forever.” I’d almost expected as much, but it still hit me as a bit of a shock.

“And you must be Liddy.” Deena directed her attention to Liddy who danced past Hannah.

Hannah beamed at Liddy with a smile. “I know what you mean.” One hand fluttered over her stomach.

“Well, if you’re staying for dinner, you should go ahead and get out of those coats. It’s ready.” Deena clapped her hands together.

“Do you need any help?” Hannah offered with the same casual helpfulness that made her such a success in Deena’s absence. She genuinely cared about people and always tried to make life easier for those around her.

“You can make sure this one makes it to his chair and not the floor.” Deena nodded toward Scott.

Snorting, Scott smirked at her. “Thought your cure-all didn’t have any side effects.”

“It doesn’t,” Deena shot right back. “But you have enough alcohol in your blood to sink a pirate ship.”

“True enough.” Scott stood and headed toward the kitchen. Hannah hesitated, then took Liddy’s hand and followed. Ryland and I took up the rear.

Hannah and Deena hit it off, the two of them discussing meal planning and cleaning schedules like it was the most natural thing in the world. When Deena pulled out her phone to show Hannah pictures of her daughter and grandbaby, I knew she’d won Deena over. It made pride bubble up when I saw the smile on Hannah’s face and heard her compliment Deena’s family and the amazing food.

We all managed to carry on a semi-decent conversation. Hannah insisted on helping Deena serve dinner and I suspected she meant to remind us of what she considered her place in thehouse, but she’d become so much more to all of us. And she’d walked away from it without any explanation.

Months without seeing her face had filled me with an aching sadness. Seeing her now took it all away. Not even a sliver remained.

Deena said something about the baby, and Hannah laughed that full, throaty laugh of hers. Liddy chatted with Scott and he listened to her with a devout expression and intensity that would frighten most children. Not Liddy. She took it as a challenge.

Hours passed. Conversation flowed at a steady rate, though I contributed little except when necessary. I preferred to sit back and watch, memorizing the lines of Hannah’s face. She had so many expressions that I would need forever to understand them all. We finished the meal, and Deena stood to begin cleaning up around us.

Hannah jumped up to help, but Deena urged her to sit back down. When Hannah insisted, Deena let her serve the chocolate mousse. Deena, the woman who never let anyone touch her desserts, smiled at me when I arched a brow. She leaned past me to pick up my plate. “I like her. She’s a keeper.”

“I know.” It was all I managed before Deena darted away again.

Liddy begin nodding off in her chair. Scott caught her before she toppled over and settled her in his lap, tucking her tiny body into his. Her rosebud lips parted with a happy sigh and she snuggled against him.

Hannah stopped at Scott’s side, the mousse hovering over his plate. “Do you?—”

“Don’t even think about it.” He whispered, the low growl leaving no room for argument. “She’s fine. You can have her back when you go home.”

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