“Really?”
She nodded, surprising herself with how much she really meant the offer. “Really.”
Some of the weight in Isla’s posture lifted. “And you’ll be my friend forever?”
Hallie didn’t want to lie but her complicated relationship with Christian made forever a tough promise to make. But she genuinely wanted to be an influence for good in Isla’s life. “I’d like to be, if you’re okay with that.”
For a moment, Isla only stared at her. Then without warning, she lunged forward so suddenly, Hallie barely had time to catch the girl as she launched off the swing.
“I take that as a yes.” She scooped the child into her chest.
Isla wrapped her arms around Hallie’s neck in a tight hug. “It is a yes. I want to be your friend.”
Hallie unwove herself from the child’s hold and squeezed her hands. “It’s settled then. How should we seal the deal?”
Isla thought about it for a second before extending the little finger on her right hand. “Pinkie promise.”
Hallie raised hers as well, and they linked them together.
“Kiss your hand,” Isla demanded. She brought her mouth to her thumb, eyeing Hallie expectantly until she did the same. “Now you’re stuck with me.”
Hallie scrunched her nose with a smile at the girl’s bold declaration. “No getting out of it. How would my new friend like a push on the swing?”
“Can I have an underdog?”
“Absolutely. Let me just check on your sister first.” After locating Penelope inside the tunnel slide on the big jungle gym, Hallie went back to Isla at the swings. “Ready?”
Isla nodded, and Hallie pulled the swing back.
“One for the money,” she called, running forward without letting go. She pulled the swing back again. “Two for the show.” Forward and back. “Three to get ready. And four to go!” She ran forward, propelling herself underneath the swing as she let go.
Isla’s laughter cut through the calm of the early evening. Hallie’s heart swelled with joy at the happy sound, and she brought a hand to her chest. This sweet girl needed this moment of relief from the heaviness that followed her everywhere she went.
Penelope flew from the tunnel slide. “My turn! My turn! I want one!”
“How about the baby swing so you don’t fall?” Hallie slid her into one of the bucket swings on the other side of the set.
For the next several minutes, she ran back and forth between the girls, giving them one underdog after another. As she grew tired from all the running, their enjoyment fueled her motivation, keeping her going. The sound was infectious; even Pumpkin stood on all fours, dancing around on her leash. With each new underdog, the girls called for another until Hallie feared she’d pass out if she pushed any more.
“Phew, I’m worn out.” She bent over to catch her breath.
“More! More!” Penelope kicked her legs gleefully.
Hallie waved her hands in front of herself. “Let me rest for a minute and then I’ll give you both another one.” How could she resisttheir sweet laughter? She’d give them a thousand underdogs if it meant maintaining their happiness a little longer.
The girls giggled as she flopped down on the artificial turf. Real grass and dirt made up the baseball field, but the playground was lined with the fake stuff on top of rubber to prevent injuries.
With her eyes closed, Hallie didn’t notice Isla hop off her swing until she plopped down on the ground next to her.
“I’m glad you came to play with us today, new friend.” She dropped onto her back, staring at the rosy sky.
Hallie’s heart melted a little more. She sat up, only then noticing that sometime during their play, Carrie and Sammy had left the park.
Good riddance.
She nudged Isla’s side with the back of her hand. “I am too. You’re a special kid. And so is Penelope.” She meant that with all sincerity, marveling at how quickly she’d gone from not wanting anything to do with Christian’s kids to genuinely enjoying being around them.
Sitting with Isla, watching Penelope gleefully try to pump her legs, she realized something. Nothing could come from her relationship with their father, and she didn’t know how long she’d need to act as their temporary nanny. But she could still love these girls for however long she had the privilege.
