Page 34 of Never Quiet

Callie shook her head. “No. You’re right. They can’t keep secrets from me.” Glancing at her with a smile, she said, “They finally confessed about the painting in their bedroom.”

Amanda clapped her hand over her mouth and tried unsuccessfully to contain her laughter. The little girls came over to ask what was funny.

Staring between them and signing for Heather, she said, “We were talking about getting dressed up for the party tonight. I can’t wait. I’m so excited.”

“Me, too,” Julia said. “My dress is pink. I love pink.”

Heather signed and said, “Grandma bought me a gold one. She said to match how my eyes lighten.”

“You’re both going to be lovely! You play and have fun,” Amanda told them. “When we go back, we’ll take our time getting ready. I think we need matching polish.”

“Our nails?” Julia clasped her hands together over her chest. “I love having my nails painted.”

“I agree.”

They wandered back to the other side. The pool was shallow enough for them to have their shoulders above the water.

“You’re so great with kids, Amanda.” Callie inhaled deeply. “It’s not my dads.” Her dark blue eyes focused on a point across the room. “It’s my uncles.”

Whispering, Amanda asked in surprise, “Harper and Hayden?” Callileah nodded. “Have they said anything?”

“No. In fact, I think they go to great lengths never to be around me. I know it’s not that I’m adopted and they don’t care about my leg. I’m not sure what it is and my dads never notice but…it’s real. I feel it.”

“Want me to see if I can gather some intel?” She shrugged. “I talk to Hayden almost every week about science and tech.”

“Not yet. I’ll be twelve soon and maybe they’re waiting for me to get older or something.” She laughed. “They’re nice enough and buy me a stupid amount of stuff. I mean, I could be reading something into it that isn’t there.”

Amanda guessed, “But you don’t really think that?”

“No. I don’t. I think there’s something huge no one wants me to know. Maybe they suspect something about me?”

Reaching out, Amanda took her hand. “Whatever it is or isn’t, I’ll be here.”

“I love you, Amanda.” Eyes wide, she called, “No, Julia. We can’t use the cushions as floats.”

They worked together to distract the girls and before they left the spa, the technicians did all their nails. Julia and Heather were in heaven as they held out their hands for over an hour to keep from messing them up.

Even when everyone assured them the polish was dry.

* * *

By the time they returned to the gallery, Caroline was boneless and relaxed.

Entering the main room, she gasped at the swaths of silver fabric that rippled in flowing waves across the ceilings. Delicate lights reflected through the shimmering satin. Various forms of art were hanging, standing, or sitting on pedestals across the vast space.

“This is it. This is what I wanted.”

Amanda grinned and told her, “Sometimes, it’s best to let them work and stay out of the way. You know that. You get crazy but you know you can trust them.”

Hugging her, Caroline nodded. “You’re so right.” Looking around, she said sarcastically, “Looks like they ran away. Ah, Tara! Do you need anything?”

The woman paused in making notes on her clipboard and pointed at her boss with the pen she held. “Get out. I’m serious. The caterers are unloading and the flower van is waiting behind it. Go away and let me handle this.” Then she smiled at their gathering and added, “All of you look relaxed. Get her out of here so you keep that feeling. I love you!”

Laughing, they all headed upstairs and did just that.

The gala was a wild success and the two older Delkin brothers appeared once again to stun the room toward the end of the night. Many of the guests had already left when Amanda introduced them to her best friend and his family.

Soon after, Nate and Zoe went upstairs with Heather. Dylan and Lizzy bid them goodnight a few minutes later. Julia was sleeping soundly on her father’s chest.

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