deeper. Everything needed to appear perfect to her sister, even when the undercurrent was sucking her down.
“If you want me to watch the kids one night so you and Rex can have a date night, I’d be happy to do it.”
Amy sighed. “I’d have to check with Rex to see what his schedule is like, but thanks.”
“Anytime.” She really meant it. She didn’t want to see what happened to her and David happen to Amy and Rex.
Amy said, “And I can watch the kids if you have an interview or something you need to do.”
“I appreciate that.” Though Sierra felt reluctant to add to Amy’s packed schedule. “Mom said she’d help, too.”
“You’ll find Mom doesn’t spend a lot of time sitting around the house. She’s got her gardening club, tennis, lunch dates, hiking club, pinochle, not to mention the country club socials she attends.”
“Is she working on husband number five?” Sierra gave Amy a mischievous grin and tapped her elbow to Amy’s.
Amy rolled her eyes. “God, I hope not.”
“Why? She deserves to be happy. No one likes to be alone.”
“She’s got her friends.” Amy sighed. “And her admirers.” A grin tugged at Amy’s lips, but she stopped it before it turned into a real smile. “Losing number four hurt her.”
Sierra’s heart clenched. “She really loved him.”
“She loved them all.” Amy paused for a pregnant moment, then asked, “Have you spoken to Dad lately?”
They all loved their dad, but he tended to let time slip away between calls and relied on them to contact him rather than the other way around. Though he was always up for a long chat. He just wasn’t one to pick up the phone unless prompted by his new wife.
“Just before I left the Napa area. He seems happy in Arizona with Loran.”
“I thought after the divorce he’d be a bachelor forever.”
“Loran changed that. They’ve been married . . . what? Five years?”
“Six.” Amy wrapped her arms around her middle. “She’s younger than him.” Amy let that hang for a minute. “Do you think guys are like that? As they get older, they think about replacing the old model with . . . well, a model.”
Sierra chuckled. “Maybe some guys, but not Dad. Loran is only five years younger than him. It’s not like he hooked up with some twentysomething.”
“I know, but . . . Never mind.”
Sierra caught on quick. “Amy, you’re beautiful and smart and a great mom. Rex would be crazy to let you go.”
Amy stood up straighter. “Of course he would. But he’d never leave me. We’re good. Great.”
Yes, everything is fine in Amyland.
Sierra checked her watch. “I’m so glad you made time to meet us here today so the kids could play, but I’ve got to get them home and fed. They start school tomorrow and I want to get them back on a schedule.”
“I hear you.” Amy whistled at the kids and waved her hand, calling them back from the playground.
The boys jumped off the swings, playfully pushing at each other, saying one or the other had leapt the farthest. Oliver and Emma climbed down from the ride-on rocking bear and dog that sat atop huge metal springs.
Emma ran up to her mom. “Can we get ice cream?”
Amy shook her head and brushed her hand over Emma’s hair. “It’s time to go to music class before dinner.”
“Ugh. Mom. No. I hate violin.”
“You just need to practice more and you’ll be good at it.”
“I hate it!” Emma scrunched her little face into a deep frown and stormed off to the car, climbing in the side door behind P.J.
Amy rolled her eyes. “They’re so fun.” She hugged Sierra. “Call if you need me to watch the kids after school or whatever.”
“Call me about that date night,” Sierra countered. She really hoped Amy took her up on it. It seemed like she and Rex needed a night, or two, to reconnect.
Sierra understood all too well how things could turn monotonous and routine in a marriage. Maybe if she’d scheduled a few more date nights instead of avoiding the talk she and David needed to have but always put off . . .
She couldn’t change the past. She needed to let it go.
“Mom?” Danny called from beside the car. “Are we going? I’m hungry.”
“Yes. Climb in. Make sure Oliver is buckled in his seat, please.”
Sierra got behind the wheel, started the car, backed out of her spot, gave a honk good-bye to her sister, who was turned in her seat talking fast to the kids