Some Bright Someday (Maple Valley #2) - Melissa Tagg Page 0,31

hadn’t she? At least two out of the three liked her.

The other barely tolerated her. But at least Colie hadn’t seemed overly upset when Jenessa had told her she’d be staying. Had hardly reacted at all, really.

But there’d been so much to do all day that she hadn’t had much of a chance to try to soothe any of Colie’s perpetually ruffled feathers. Meals and bath time and what felt like a hundred diaper changes had chipped away at her energy. Cade had seemed fussier today than the past two days, and Violet had bulleted questions nonstop.

“How long do we get to live here? Who was that lady with the bracelets? Why did she ask so many questions? Why do we get our own rooms now? Is Colie mad that we’re staying?”

Was Colie ever not mad?

“Are you daydreaming?”

Jenessa’s eyes jolted open—when had she closed them? Toothpaste foam rimmed Violet’s mouth and her adorable little ears angled out between limp curls. “Does it count as daydreaming if it’s nighttime?” Jenessa asked.

Violet put one hand on her waist. “I don’t know. I’m only six.”

“You know what, Vi? I think we’re going to get along really well.”

Violet swiped the back of her arm over her mouth and hopped off the footstool. “Now what?”

“Now you go hop into bed while I check on your sister. Then I’ll tuck you in.”

“Okay.” Violet swung her arms as she moved to the bathroom door. But she stopped and turned back to Jenessa. She curled and wriggled her pointer finger and Jenessa obeyed the motion, crouching in front of the girl. The moment she lowered, Violet wrapped her skinny arms around Jenessa’s neck. “I really miss my mom, but I like it here, Jessa. I think I’m happy we’re staying.”

A damp mess of curls ended up in her mouth, tickled her nose, and the apple scent of the tangle-free shampoo Mara had picked up engulfed her.

And it was as if Jenessa’s heart stopped, just for a second, a moment of poignant silence and stillness for what this six-year-old had already endured. What anguish surely gripped her older sister. What her younger brother would miss out on.

But even as the heartbreak swirled around her, the same feeling that had held her willingly captive a few minutes ago as she rocked Cade came over her again. A feeling of rightness and belonging. She was so far past falling for these kids—even Colie with her constantly crossed arms and resolute silence.

“I’m happy you’re staying too.”

Violet kissed Jenessa’s cheek and then skipped away.

Leaving her to stand in the fluorescent light of the bathroom, staring at herself in the mirror. Her ponytail hung limp to one side and since when did her dress have a white-ish stain on one sleeve? Cade’s formula. Right. She needed to invest in some spill-free bottles and sippy cups. And probably ask someone somewhere at what age to switch from formula to milk and . . .

And she needed to get in the habit of reminding herself this was only temporary.

With a sigh, she flicked off the bathroom light and roamed down the hall. She paused outside of Colie’s room. “Colie?” She kept her voice low in case the girl had gone to bed already. But a sliver of light under the door told her that wasn’t the case. “I just wanted to check on you.”

No answer.

She reached for the doorknob, hesitated. You need to at least make sure she’s in there. She inched the door open and glanced inside.

Standing in the middle of the room, Colie instantly whirled away, turning her back to Jenessa. But she hadn’t been fast enough to hide the redness of her eyes and nose. The tracks on her cheeks. “You ever hear of knocking?”

Jenessa lingered in the doorway, uncertain whether to pretend she hadn’t noticed Colie’s tears and congested voice or try to comfort her. Anytime she’d attempted the latter so far, it hadn’t ended well.

“I just wanted to see if you need anything, especially since this is a different room and—”

“I’m fine.” Fists clenched at her sides, Colie trudged to her bed.

She took a hesitant step into the room. “Colie, I—”

“I don’t really want to talk. I just want to go to bed.” She pulled her covers back but didn’t make a move to slip under the sheets.

“Okay, well . . . I know these past couple of days have been really weird for you. And staying here might feel odd, too. But I’m going to try my best to make