Page 1 of Playing for Keeps
PROLOGUE
Caroline
Thirteen Years Ago
Caroline bounded up the steps leading onto Skye’s front porch, swishing the flowy skirt of her dress. The Christmas Barn Dance officially kicked off the holiday festivities in town, and she’d be spending the evening dancing with her two best friends.
She knocked on the door and bounced in her heeled boots—not from the chill in the air, but from pure excitement.
Skye groaned as she opened the door, with her hair a matted mess bunched on the top of her head.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t go anywhere tonight,” Skyerasped before falling into a coughing fit. “I can barely hold my head up.”
Caroline pressed her palm to Skye’s head. Skye never got sick—she had as much energy as a curious toddler, and very few things slowed her down. “Cake and cookies, you’re burning up.”
Skye swatted in Caroline’s general direction, but missed completely. “I’m fine. I just want to sleep it off.”
“Where is your purse? I’ll take you to the doctor.” Caroline pushed her way past Skye and into her friend’s living room. Bottles of water, throat spray, and fever reducers stood at attention on the coffee table in front of the couch.
“No, Mom is taking me. There’s no sense in you getting sick too.” Skye reached for Caroline and missed again. The purple crescents under her eyes were a striking contrast against her pale skin. “Will you please leave? I don’t have the energy to chase you.”
“Are you sure she’s taking you? I can go with you.”
Seeing Skye so unwell had every nerve ending in Caroline’s body sparking. She needed to act. She had to do something. She’d miss the Christmas barn dance, but she could always go next year.
“Yes, she’s calling Dad, then we’ll leave.”
“I’ll bring you brownies,” Caroline said. “What else do you want? I’ll go make them now.”
“No,” Skye croaked as she flopped onto the couch like a thin string of royal icing. “I want you to go to the dance. One of us should get to have fun.”
“I won’t have fun without you.” Caroline propped her hands on her hips, determined to stand by her friend like a statue if necessary.
“Nora is home this weekend, and she thinks we’re meeting her there. We can’t both stand her up. You never get to see her anymore.”
Oh. Right. Their friend, Nora, was visiting from college. They hadn’t seen her since August.
“Nora is my neighbor. I can walk to her house if I want to see her,” Caroline said. “And you could probably use a friend.”
“I could probably use sleep. I’m going to watch the back of my eyelids, and that’s all. I’ll be terrible company. Please go,” Skye begged.
Caroline hung her head. Could she really leave Skye in this condition? Was that a yellow icing smear on the front of her green dress? She scratched at the dried smudge. Definitely icing. She couldn’t bring herself to care. The barn dance usually had low lighting.
“Get out,” Skye whined. “I’m closing my eyes, and I don’t want you to be here when I open them.”
Caroline huffed. “Fine, but I’m stopping by on my way home.”
“I love you,” Skye whispered with closed eyes. “You’re the sweetest. Literally.”
Caroline chuckled. Her dreams of being a baker had only grown since she made the big life decision as a seven-year-old. She’d promised everyone in town she’d be the best baker they’d ever seen, and thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Burrows, the owners of The Cakery downtown, she was well on her way to fulfilling her promise.
“I love you too. Get some rest. Drink lots of fluids. Call me if you get bored.”
Skye lifted a lazy hand and let it fall back to the couch beside her. “Already sleeping.”
Caroline slipped out the door and closed it behind her. The darkness enveloped her as soon as she stepped off Skye’s porch. She typed out a text to Nora when she settled in the car.
Caroline: Skye is sick, but I’m on my way. See you soon!
