family would rally around Sierra. Her mom had already let her have it. Amy probably wouldn’t waste any time saying her piece.
Heather had made herself the outcast in the family. She deserved their scorn.
She hoped to earn their forgiveness.
She loved her family and needed their support. Especially now.
Which meant she needed to show them she took responsibility for her actions.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sierra stood in Amy’s kitchen wondering if her sister had been swapped with an alien.
Rex stood at the sink filling the dishwasher. Amy didn’t make a single comment, issue a demand he do it differently, or take over the task because no one could do anything like her. Rex appeared completely at ease. In fact, the atmosphere in the house felt different. The kids calmly sat at the island. Danny and Oliver worked on a chore chart. Amy stood between P.J.’s and Emma’s chairs looking at a brand-new activities calendar they were filling in.
“P.J., you’re green.” Amy handed him a green marker. “Emma, you’re dark pink.”
Emma took her pen. “I only have two things each week.”
Amy pointed to the calendar. “Fill in your activities. We’ll use purple for the things you and your brother do together.”
“Dad is blue, right?” P.J. rolled the marker across the counter to his dad, who stood drying his hands with a towel.
Rex stopped the pen from rolling off the counter with a flat hand and caught Amy’s eye. “All set?” He glanced toward the open dishwasher.
Amy checked it out and nodded. “Thank you. Would you mind running it?”
“Sure.” Rex turned and took a detergent cube from a tub under the sink, dropped it in the dispenser, slid the lid closed, pushed the dishwasher door up, hit the start button, and turned back to help with the calendar.
The kids finished their part. P.J. had soccer Tuesday and Thursday with a game on Saturday. Emma had dance class on Monday and Wednesday. They both had art class together on Thursday before P.J.’s soccer practice and swim class on Saturday morning before P.J.’s soccer game.
“No more music classes?” The calendar looked far less cluttered with events than the original one still up on the wall.
Amy put a hand on both of her kids’ shoulders. “They chose the activities they like the most. We’re cutting back so we have more time at home.” Amy took the teal-colored pen and wrote Family Time on every Sunday of the calendar, then looked up at Rex. They shared a smile and Rex gave Amy a nod of approval.
Sierra’s heart soared that Amy and Rex not only had talked out their problems but were working to make each other happy by making changes in their relationship.
Amy used the same color to write Date Night on every Thursday. This time when she and Rex shared a knowing look, her sister’s cheeks pinked.
Aw. Sweet.
They needed more time together.
She and Mason should talk about their schedules and how they were going to work out date night and taking care of the boys. It would be nice to have help getting them to their activities or simply having Mason there with her to cheer them on at soccer or whatever they chose to do in the future.
Danny had already asked about baseball. She needed to get on that and sign him up. Mason used to play in high school. He could coach Danny at home.
And that thought solidified her decision to speak to the boys about moving in with Mason soon. He’d be such a great father and role model for Danny and Oliver.
Rex stepped around the counter and touched Amy’s shoulder, that closeness they used to share back on full display. “Hey, babe, why don’t you let me finish this with the kids. When we’re done, I promised them a kickball game in the front yard. You and Sierra can sit out back and catch up.”
Code for Go ahead and talk about Heather and the affair.
Amy gave Rex a quick kiss, ruffled her kids’ hair, and went to the fridge. She pulled out an open bottle of white wine and selected two glasses from the cupboard. “Come on, sis, let’s talk.”
Sierra went to the boys and gave them each a kiss on the head.
Oliver held up his chore chart. “Aunt Amy says I should get fifty cents for each chore, but I should ask for seventy-five and negotiate. I don’t know what that means, but I want an allow ants.”
Sierra sent her sister a disgruntled frown and glare.