Page 27 of The Summer House

He could see that this was a big deal for Mandy. Obviously she cared about the kid a lot. He was interested in meeting Eva and seeing how the afternoon went. No one had defined the term “special needs” so he didn’t know what more Eva might need as compared with a child who wasn’t categorized that way.

While Rick would never admit it to Mandy, he wasn’t keen on labeling kids. He’d been badged as “gifted” before he was five. The word—both a blessing and a curse—had followed him right into high school, which he’d entered at eleven. He’d entered college at thirteen. It had taken him the full four years to graduate because he’d double majored in computer science and physics. He’d finished his first master’s and Ph.D. by the time he was twenty and was on to his second when he’d met Mandy. He knew all about being different.

He pulled up in front of the one-story house by the corner. Mandy was out of the car before he’d done much more than put it in park. She hovered by the passenger door. As he watched, a child flew out of the front door of the house and raced down the walk. Rick had a brief impression of long blond hair, a wide, happy smile and open arms before the two flung themselves at each other.

“How are you?” Mandy was asking as he climbed out of the car. “Are you having a good summer? I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you. We’ve had fun. Daisy took us to the pool twice and we saw fireworks on the Fourth of July and—”

Eva’s happy chatter came to a halt as Rick circled around the rear of the car. She gave him a quick glance then ducked behind Mandy.

“Eva, don’t be scared. This is Rick.”

Before she could say more, a cheerful but harried-looking woman in her thirties came out the front door. “Mandy,” she called with a smile. “Someone has been parked by the front window for the past hour, hasn’t she?”

Eva ducked her head out from behind Mandy, grinned, then retreated.

“Daisy!” Mandy gave the other woman a warm hug. “How are you doing?”

Daisy shook her head. “Going crazy. I got a call this morning asking if I could provide emergency shelter for toddler twins. Just what I need. Of course I said yes.” She turned to Rick. “Hi. I’m Daisy Middleton.”

“Rick Benson.”

“He’s an old friend,” Mandy said quickly, as if concerned he was going to come up with another title.

“Old friend works,” he said with a quick wink.

Daisy looked intrigued but didn’t ask any questions. Instead she rested one hand on Eva’s blond head and the other on Mandy’s arm. “There was some other news in the phone call,” she said pointedly. “I’m not supposed to say anything, so act surprised when you get the news.”

She paused significantly until Mandy chuckled. “Don’t keep me in suspense. What news?”

“You were approved for foster care. They start you with one child, but that’s all you want, isn’t it?”

Mandy didn’t say anything. Her eyes widened and she looked stunned. Rick glanced between the women, looking for an explanation.

Just then three more young children spilled out of the house. Daisy saw them and groaned. “No. You were supposed to be napping.” She started toward them, then turned back. “Run for it while you can. Oh, we’re having a cookout with the neighbors, so can you have her back by four-thirty?”

“No problem,” Mandy called after her.

She ushered Eva into the car and settled her in the middle of the big back seat. Once everyone had on their seat belts, Rick started the car and headed back toward the freeway. Mandy fiddled with the radio.

“There’s a kid’s station, if you don’t mind,” she said.

“Not at all. I can even do you one better.” He pushed a button, sending the sound into the rear speakers. “Instant child-friendly sound.”

“Thanks.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Are you okay, Eva?”

“Uh-huh.”

Mandy smiled. “Are you going to still be shy around Rick when we get to the aquarium?”

A pause, then, “Uh-huh.”

Both he and Mandy laughed. “I’ll try bribing her with ice cream when we get there,” he said. “It always worked with me.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”

He shot her a quick look. “You okay?”

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