Elle sat down on the bed and pulled Sally’s heavy hair away from her neck, answering, “Yes, honey.”
“Will you teach me to make chocolate cake?” Sally asked.
Elle’s breath caught in her throat.
There were women who wanted to own seven hundred dollar shoes.
And there were women who wanted to run nations.
At that moment, there was nothing more that Elle wanted in the world than to teach Sally how to make chocolate cake.
Somehow, Elle managed to reply, “Sure, Sally.”
“And how to walk in high heels?” Sally went on.
Her throat threatening to close, Elle forced out, “Of course.”
“Hurrah,” Sally cheered sleepily.
Elle leaned down and kissed the girl’s temple before she got up and made her way to the door, thinking that Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty got it wrong. They should have bypassed the handsome prince and went direct to the broody-hot architect who designed the castle and also happened to have two beautiful children.
“Elle?” Sally called when Elle hit the door to her bedroom.
Elle turned to face the room. “Yes, Sally.”
“Thank you for making Jace happy again,” Sally whispered and Elle felt her breath escape in a rush as her heart stopped beating.
She didn’t answer, couldn’t, she could only hold on to the doorframe and hope she didn’t pass out.
“And Daddy too,” Sally went on quietly.
Elle’s heart squeezed.
Maybe Sally Cameron didn’t slide through life shielded by her indefatigable good cheer.
Maybe Sally Cameron felt just as deeply as her father and her brother but, in her six year old’s way, she did what she could to take care of her family.
Summoning a strength she didn’t know she had, Elle pushed away from the door, walked to Sally’s bed and again sat on its side, sliding her fingers through Sally’s hair.
“You don’t have to thank me, sweetie,” Elle whispered.
“Yes, I do,” Sally whispered back.
Elle leaned forward and got close to Sally’s ear. “No you don’t, Sally, because we’re even. I was sad when I came here. So very sad. But you and Jason and your Daddy made me happy too”
“I’m glad,” Sally replied softly.
“So, I should thank you,” Elle told her.
Sally twisted her neck, Elle’s head came up and Sally grinned at her before saying, “You’re welcome.”
Elle stifled a giggle and grinned back.
“Now, go to sleep,” Elle ordered.
“Okay, Elly Belly,” Sally said cheekily through her grin.
With a light kiss on Sally’s smooth cheek, Elle left the girl and wandered to Prentice’s rooms in a daze, Sally’s words and what they meant tumbling through her mind. She didn’t know it but she entered the bedroom with a small smile playing at her lips.