by instinct, not experience, but his confidence never wavered. Maybe that was the key, she thought. Never let them see how scared you really are.
Cameron broke the staredown first. He surrendered first with his posture, then verbally, clearly not considering this an issue to lock horns over. “I’m headed to my friend Jason’s house. He lives over on Meadowmeer.”
“Call me if you go anywhere else.”
“I will.”
“And be home by eleven.”
“It’s a Saturday night.”
“That’s why I didn’t say ten o’clock. Be home by eleven or don’t bother going out at all,” Sean said.
Cameron gave a graceless farewell and stalked off.
Lily said, “You’re good with him.”
“Yeah, thanks. He’s a real happy camper.”
“I’m not kidding. He’s pushing and you’re not giving in.”
“I have no idea why there’s conflict at all. Hell, we’re on the same side.”
They sat together watching the sun sink away. Peepers raised a song from hidden places in the dark, and Lily finished her glass of iced tea. It was on the edge of her lips to say goodbye, I’ve had a nice day, see you later, but instead she just sat there, enjoying the breeze and the last colors of the day, the sounds of twilight settling around them.
“Did you mean what you said?” Sean asked suddenly. “About the good job?”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “Considering all that these kids are going through, they’d be a handful for anyone. This is a horrible thing to have to adjust to, but all things considered, they’re getting by.”
“So I get an A+ from the teacher.” There was a smile in his voice.
She looked over at him, watching the light play across his face. This mattered so much to him, she could tell. “When it comes to relating to the kids, I’d say so.”
His eyes narrowed. “Why do I sense a ‘however’ in that?”
“I didn’t say ‘however.’”
“You didn’t have to.” He chuckled softly. “All right, Miss Lily. Let me have it. I can take it.”
It was strange, how he seemed to see through her. “I question the value of American Chopper.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I don’t kid.”
“That’s right, I forgot for a minute. So you’re objecting to the best show on television?”
“Charlie can quote from it chapter and verse.”
“And this is a bad thing?”
“It’s a show about motorcycles. It has no redeeming value.”
He threw back his head and laughed aloud then. She found herself staring at his throat and having unsettling feelings. “You slay me, Lily, you really do. Watching a show about motorcycles is not going to warp the kid’s mind. It’s something we do together. We like it.” He sobered, his gaze piercing through the gathering darkness. “Maybe, just for a minute, she…forgets, feels normal. She deserves to do that every once in a while.”
The truth of it struck Lily and she nodded. “At least it’s not South Park.”
“Nope, that comes on a half hour later,” he said, then laughed at her horrified expression. “Kidding,” he said. “I know you don’t kid, but I sure as hell do.”
“Very funny.” She offered a smile of relief.
“You sure are a fussy little thing, Miss Lily,” he commented. “Food, TV, loading the dishwasher…How’d you get that way?”
Being raised in a house full of hate will do that to a person, she thought, but couldn’t bring herself to tell him. “I guess I’m just a creature of habit.”
He nodded, and they sat together in curiously companionable silence, listening to the peepers and to the girls playing together. Finally, Sean stood up. “I need to put these little grubs to bed.”
As he walked toward the sandbox, Charlie put up a hand in a defensive gesture. “Five more minutes.”
“Sorry, kid. Time’s up. You both need a bath.”
“No bath,” Ashley protested.
He picked her up and tucked her under his arm. “You like taking a bath.”
“Lily, will you stay?” asked Charlie, dragging her feet as she headed inside.
“I can’t,” she said automatically.
“Please.”
“But—”
“The kid said please,” Sean pointed out.
“All right.”
“Yay!” Charlie and Ashley gave each other high fives.
Lily wished she had a hot Saturday-night date. She wished she was headed out for an evening of drinking and dancing, but the fact was, she had no plans at all. The prospect of sticking around here was disconcertingly pleasant to her.
Sean and his nieces stampeded upstairs. In the kitchen, Lily heard the swish of running water and random giggles from the girls. Today, for the first time, Lily began to believe that Crystal’s children would survive their terrible loss. Until now, doubts had been all twisted up inside her, knotting into hard despair. Finally, she