For the Girls' Sake - By Janice Kay Johnson Page 0,26

here the next Monday.

It sounded simple enough, but a gnawing hole in her stomach told her simple didn’t mean easy. She was going to hate leaving Shelly with her father. Not being there to see what he said and did.

What if, after a few visits, Shelly wasn’t happy to see her mom after the day spent with Daddy? What if she wanted to stay, and he encouraged her? What if Shelly always had to go there, because Rose was too shy to be left here?

Lynn squeezed her eyes shut on a burning sensation and thought, what if I die of loneliness, on one of those Mondays?

* * *

"ARE WE ALMOST THERE?" Shelly’s neck stretched as she tried to peer ahead.

"I think so." Lynn glanced again at the directions and address that lay on the seat beside her. The neighborhood was reinforcing her worst fears. Adam Landry had money. Plenty of money.

What chance would she have if he took her on?

"There," she said, spotting the numbers on the mailbox. A paved driveway led onto wooded grounds. Rhododendrons grew under mature cedars and hemlocks and firs. She caught a glimpse of a tumbling stream and an arched stone bridge.

Money.

Ahead, the house seemed to grow out of the hillside and the forested land, the cedar siding and shake roof blending in, the several levels and the rock work around the foundation somehow disguising the sheer size of the structure. Lynn suddenly imagined Rose wandering in the middle of the night, lost and scared, trying to find her daddy’s bedroom.

Don’t be silly, she told herself sharply. Rose seemed loved and secure. Her bedroom would be near his. Surely.

Lynn admired the flower beds filled with shade-loving plants like hostas and Solomon’s seal that flowed into the natural landscape. She couldn’t quite see Adam Landry on his knees in the dirt pulling weeds. Even if he had built a sand castle with gusto. No, he’d have a gardener, as well as a housekeeper.

The car rolled to a stop. "Well," she said, trying to sound hearty. "We’re here."

"Oh." Shelly’s enthusiasm seemed to have dwindled. She stared at the house, her voice small. "I don’t see Rose."

"She doesn’t know we’re here yet." Lynn attempted a cheerful smile. "Did you see the bridge? I’ll bet Rose will show you around her woods."

"Like I showed her my beach."

"Right." Except, these woods really were Rose’s.

Shelly unbuckled her own car seat and inched forward. "Can we go see Rose?"

"You betcha."

They didn’t reach the front door before Adam came out with Rose holding his hand. Today he wore crisp khaki slacks and a polo shirt with a tiny—and probably expensive—emblem on the pocket. What he looked was handsome, unapproachable and not quite real: the wealthy professional pretending to relax.

Lynn had felt more comfortable with him when he wore jeans and a T-shirt.

The two girls murmured, "Hi," and hung their heads.

Adam’s dark gaze met hers. "Come on in."

She wondered if he would have invited her at all if their daughters had gone racing right off to play.

Inside the carved-wood door, a slate entry led to a large living room with a wall of windows, pale nubby carpet and warm, comfortable leather furniture. A few antiques lent character to a room that might have been too colorless and modern for Lynn’s tastes. She loved the wool tapestry that hung on one wall, a dark African mask on another.

The elegance of the room made her confidence plummet another inch.

"What a beautiful room."

"Thank you." He barely glanced at her. "How are you, Shelly?"

"Fine," she whispered.

"Rose has been excited about having you come."

Shelly peeked at her friend but said nothing. Rose hid behind Daddy’s leg.

He tried again. "Would you like Rose to show you her room?"

Shelly didn’t let go of Lynn’s hand. In her piercing voice, she asked, "Mommy, are you gonna go?"

"That’s the plan." She sounded as bright and fake as a dinner-plate dahlia, Lynn thought ruefully. "Remember? We talked about it. I’m going to do some mom things. Shop, and call a friend. I’ll bet you won’t miss me for a second."

"Yes, I will," Shelly said clearly.

“Not once you start to play—"

"I like to shop, too."

Out of the corner of her eye, Lynn saw Rose’s face start to crumple. A crease deepened between Adam’s brows.

"Honey," she said gently, "I know you’ll have fun with Rose. We don’t want to disappoint her."

Shelly held her hand in a death grip. This time she whispered, "Can’t you stay, Mommy?"

Despite herself, she was pleased that Shelly hadn’t dashed off without