Some Bright Someday (Maple Valley #2) - Melissa Tagg Page 0,18

she knew, the children had been up for hours while she slept.

She moved quickly, tripping over the quilt at her feet, catching herself on the back of the rocking chair. The kids were probably hungry. Maybe she could take a cue from Lucas—make some pancakes and eggs.

She emerged into the kitchen. Wait, who’d started a pot of coffee? Its tantalizing scent wrapped around her as the sound of shuffling from the dining room snagged her attention. What were those kids up to?

“Come on, Vi.” Colie’s hissed words carried as Jenessa hurried to reach them, finally catching up just as they moved into the entryway.

“I don’t want to leave.” Violet dragged a bag behind her. No, not a bag. A pillowcase? Filled with what? It clanked over the mudroom floor.

“We have to.” Colie shifted her own armful—Cade—and pulled open the front door. “Hurry up. She’ll wake up any minute.”

“She’s already awake.”

At the sound of Jenessa’s voice, both girls whirled and Cade let out a squeal at the quick movement, dimples she hadn’t noticed last night peeking from both cheeks. Oh, he was adorable. And a spitting image of Violet, whose sleep-tousled blond hair, large green eyes, and full cheeks made for an even cuter picture in the light of day than they had last night.

Only Colie glared at Jenessa, long lashes rimming her narrowed gaze and her hold on her brother tightening. She didn’t say a word.

“You don’t have to leave. Especially without breakfast.”

“Colie says we’ll eat breakfast later. But I don’t think it’s going to be good.” Violet wrinkled her nose as she plopped the pillowcase on the floor. A metal can rolled out.

“Green beans, huh? Not my preferred breakfast either.”

“Colie says we weren’t stealing. Just borrowing.”

Jenessa took a few steps closer. “Did Colie also happen to mention where you’re going?”

“It’s not really any of your business.”

Oh, so Colie had decided to speak, had she? “Hate to argue with you, but considering it’s my cottage you trespassed in, my guest bedroom you slept in last night, and”—she glanced at the bulging pillowcase—“my pantry you apparently raided, I think it might be my business, after all.” It was all she could do to keep from smiling. Something told her Colie would not appreciate her amusement at their attempted getaway.

The older girl bent to let Cade slide free. “We’ll pay you back when we can.”

“I’ve got a better idea. Stick around for a little bit. Have some breakfast. I’m no Betty Crocker, but I can whip up something a little more appetizing than canned green beans.”

Cade had begun crawling across the entryway and he reached Jenessa just as Colie opened her mouth, an argument clearly at the ready. But she paused as Jenessa knelt in front of Cade. Because she’d realized cold vegetables wouldn’t work for her baby brother’s morning meal?

Or perhaps she was smart enough to know Jenessa might be pretending to give her a choice, but there wasn’t a chance she was about to let three kids simply wander off.

“I want to stay, Colie.” Violet looked up at her sister, a pleading in her emerald eyes. “I like Jessa.”

Jessa. Same shortened version of her name the little girl had used last night when she’d wandered into the hallway, heavy-lidded and half asleep. It’d been enough to capture Jenessa’s heart in the moment—and it seemed it was enough now to soften Colie at least somewhat. Because after another moment of hesitation, she finally nodded.

Then marched forward and scooped up Cade. “But don’t get attached. We’re not staying long.” With that, she disappeared into the sitting room.

Jenessa couldn’t help it then—she let out a grin. “Not sure if she was talking to you or me, Violet.”

Violet’s dimples were a perfect match for Cade’s. “You can call me Vi if you want.”

“All right, Vi.” She stretched over the little girl to close the front door, a blast of cold air catching her before it latched. She reached for whatever jacket or sweatshirt she’d left on the staircase railing last time she came in the house and slid it on, then picked up the pillowcase. “Shall we go see what we can find for breakfast?”

Violet grinned up at her and took hold of her free hand. “I really like Pop-Tarts. And cereal. Cheerios are okay but my favorite is the kind with the colored circles.”

“Froot Loops?”

Violet nodded as they entered the sitting room. “But the best breakfast is donuts with sprinkles.”

Hmm, maybe Jenessa could run up to the bakery to grab a box of