[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
doesn t need your bullshit! She gathered her courage and swallowed hard. I think I do care for her a
little more, because she s more a part of my life than my mama ever was. Your grandma is a good parent
and took me into her heart when I needed her. She was there for me, Ashley. And my mama wasn t a
bad person, but she was never there.
Did you feel& ba& bad about it? Impatiently, she wiped at her face, hoping her brothers wouldn t
see her tears. About loving Grandma more?
Lauren nodded. I did. She sniffed a few times. Until I realized that Mama would want me to love
someone that much. Your other mom would want that, too, Ashley. Love is a wonderful thing. The
corner of her mouth quirked. You don t have to be stingy with it. The more you want to give, the more
you ll find you have.
Ashley licked her lips as some of the anxiety that had been bubbling up in her belly faded. So it s okay
to call you whatever I want? And it s okay to feel this way? I m not being horrible to my mom who is
dead?
Lauren let out a soundless sigh. Yes, to the first questions and no to the last one, Ashley.
And Mom won t be mad at me?
Page 177
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Lauren sat back on her heels, the boys laughter interrupting her thoughts for a second. She turned her
head to find them dipping their toes in the surf and chasing each other. Then she refocused on Ashley. I
don t think she ll be mad. But you know this is sort of complicated stuff, right?
Despite herself, Ashley snorted, drawing a smile from Lauren. Yeah.
Well, it s hard for grownups too. But I think you should give your mom a chance to talk to you about
this, don t you? Lauren squeezed Ashley s hand. She hasn t killed you yet, and she is a really good
mom.
Reluctantly, Ashley nodded. She is. She pinned Lauren with a pleading look. But will you be there,
too? Please?
Of course. They hugged again, and this time, Lauren couldn t feel the girl s heart pounding out of her
chest. After a moment, Ashley and Lauren let go and both of them fell back on the blanket, looking up
into a gorgeous bright sky.
Could I call you Mama? Ashley asked shyly, not turning to face to Lauren.
A small smile twitched a Lauren s lips. I would love that, darlin . She swallowed thickly. But only if
it s something you re ready for.
Ashley chewed her lip for moment, giving the matter her most serious consideration. It is, she
pronounced finally. It s different than what I call Mom. And it still shows that you love and take care of
me and that I love you, right?
Lauren nodded. Absolutely. She hoped her voice didn t sound as hoarse to Ashley as it did to her
own ears.
Quickly warming to the idea Ashley said, Plus, it s what you called your mom, right.
This time she couldn t answer at all. So she just nodded and reached out for Ashley s hand.
Good, Ashley said brightly, her mood lifting almost immediately. She stood up just as her brothers ran
up to the blanket.
What s wrong, Ashley? Christopher asked, clearly concerned. He began to fiddle with the stems of his
small, wire-rimmed glasses, something he always did when he was anxious.
Aaron instantly wrapped his chubby arms around his sister, offering comfort the best way he knew how.
Short of offering pie. With ice cream.
Lauren s heart ached at the sight. One minute the Marlowe children could be at each other s throats,
and the very next they would band together so tightly Lauren was sure that no outside force, no matter
how strong, could come between them
It s my turn for a hug, Christopher insisted. Don t be a greedy pig, Aaron! She s my sister, too.
And like most beautiful moments, Lauren thought wanly, this one was short-lived.
Page 178
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Ashley solved the problem by wiping her cheeks, then giving both brothers a quick one-armed hug.
Nothing s wrong, she told them. We were just having girl talk. She smiled at Lauren, who grinned
back knowingly.
Did you ask her? Christopher whispered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Yup, Ashley informed her brother. We can call her whatever we want. I am going to call her Mama.
Grandma told me that s what Lauren, I mean Mama, called her mama.
Lauren sat up and both the boys turned toward her and regarded her curiously.
The blonde woman felt the blood drain from her face. Oh, no, she mentally dithered. I don t think I can
go through all that again soon. I haven t recovered from the first kid conversation yet!
Can we call you that, too? Christopher finally asked.
Lauren blinked. Umm& of course. If that s what you want? the words lilted upward in question.
Sure! Aaron shouted.
Cool! Christopher agreed. Thanks, Mama!
Can we have a Coke? Aaron asked. When Lauren didn t answer right away, he added, Please? We
ate all of our lunch, thinking that was the problem.
Uhh& Sure. There are some cold drinks in the house.
Thanks, La& errr, Mama! he said. Race you to the house, Aaron. Before his brother could answer,
Christopher took off running.
No fair! the younger boy complained, breaking into as fast a run as he could manage, his small feet
kicking clouds of sand as he went.
Shell-shocked, Lauren could only blink.
Beth says boys are easier, Ashley said wisely.
Lauren shook her head and smiled. I think that, even if that s true, I couldn t love you more. She
caught sight of Dev walking past Chris and Aaron on her way towards them. Would you like a Coke,
too? We can save talking to your mom for once we re back home in Washington . I don t think she d
mind.
Ashley grinned and nodded. She bolted off the blanket to join her brothers, stopping to kiss Devlyn
along the way.
When Devlyn's bare feet reached the blanket, she worriedly glanced down at Lauren. Are you okay?
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]