“I don’t really remember what happens after I am back to normal.It’s been over a decade since I have had one though.”
She was distracted when Jules and Avril got too close to the road.She called them back sharply, reminding them of traffic.
Her sisters didn’tquiteknow how to behave out in public just yet.Probably because her father had kept them isolated ninety-five percent of the time in whatever shacks he’d hidden them away in.But they would figure it out, together.
And while she might be flirting with Claudia’s brother now, with him…she knew he wouldn’t take it seriously.Or assume something.
He was as safe a man as possible now.
Calloway Grady.Safe.Yeah, right.
How the world could certainly change, couldn’t it?
17
Auggie was thinkingabout the dance and men and what some had said to her tonight—and Em and Junie—and, damn it…she was thinking that Slater Davis hadn’t excited her in the least but Calloway Grady had given her the jitters.In so many ways.
Slater Davis was one of the hottest men in the world.And she’d felt no flutters at all tonight when he had looked at herthat way.
But she’d felt compassion for him—there had been a world of hurt in that man’s eyes when she’d let him hold Maeya after he’d asked.He’d said something about red curly hair, she hadn’t been able to quite hear, then he’d handed her baby back to her.The look in his eyes was almost one of grief.
Then Cal had been there.
Cal had most certainly chased him off.Possessively.
That caveman had been possessive.No denying that.
She’d never really had a man be like that over her before.All hot, and sexy, and determined.She shivered.
Of course she had.Calloway wasdangerous.She’d known that forever—just…not quite like this.She had never even considered he’d turn those green, green eyes of his in her direction.Or that she’d want to look back.
She did.Damn it.This was not what she’d planned.
It was hard to resist a man like that.
But she had.
Of course, the girls had made that a sure thing.She’d spent most of the night watching the girls.They’d had a good time, mostly, but three of them had definitely been up to something.She still hadn’t figured out what yet.The morning would bring those answers, maybe.
Em and Junie had sent Auggie to her room as soon as they’d gotten home.Claiming she was hurting, and it was her time for herself for the week.They were handling the bedtime routine tonight.She was supposed to be relaxing with the heating pad.
She winced.She should probably go help them—the girls had all been over stimulated.It was not going to go well.She was sure of it.
But she washurting.From being stupid.Now she couldn’t take care of her girls—because of her own pride and vanity.Well, she’d learned her lesson.Never again.
Someone knocked lightly on her door.Probably Em or Junie, this late.Which…she could use some outside perspectives on that damned man here.“Come in.”
It was January.
With a hesitant look on her beautiful face.Like she was still afraid she’d be not wanted.Not be allowed in.
Thisgirl was Auggie’s heart.She hurt for this little sister and what she’d suffered so much.What Bruce had done to January was unconscionable.
They were a lot alike, and not just physically.The hurt in January’s eyes was so much like that which stared back at Auggie from her own mirror.“Hey, sweetie.You okay?”
“I just wanted to check on you.I brought you some pain killers from Em.And some lemonade.”Jan perched on the foot of Auggie’s bed.She was always so hesitant with Auggie, Em, and Junie.Like she wasn’t quite sure ofherplace with them.
Like she was stuck floating out there alone.Too young to be one of the adult sisters, too old to be one of the little girls.Right in the middle, and alone.
