Satisfaction filters warm through my stomach. This is good… better than good.
I watch as she smooths a silky, sand-colored curl off Lillie’s shoulder. “Wishing is fun, but you have to work hard to get what you want.”
Lillie puts the doll down and turns to her, and I don’t think they’re playing anymore. “Did you have to work hard to get what you wanted?”
Ruby smiles. “I’ve worked hard, but I’m not finished yet. I still have things I want.”
Interesting.
“I like your hair.” Lillie crawls around the bed to thread her fingers in Ruby’s long ponytail. “You’re like Mulan.”
“Mulan is Chinese. I’m half Korean.”
Lillie’s eyes widen. “What’s that?”
“It’s a whole different country. We can talk about it later.” Ruby looks back at me, where I’m silently watching, wondering where she’s been all my daughter’s life. “I didn’t know if it might be bedtime?”
“Yes,” I snap out of it, straightening. “I’ll show you your room.”
Reaching down, I slide out the handle on her rolling suitcase and lift her backpack from where she left it at my feet.
Ruby hurries to stop me. “I can carry my bags.”
“You’d better let me. Your room’s on the third floor.”
“We’re at the very top!” Lillie grabs her hand, practically skipping. “All the princesses live in the top of the castle.”
“Is that so?” Ruby smiles down at her, and the two take off ahead of me.
Lillie chatters all the way up the stairs, and I follow, feeling better about this situation by the minute. Lillie acts like Ruby belongs to her, leading her up the stairs and down the hall to her room.
Ruby gasps as she steps inside, looking all around the same way she did in the foyer. “It’s beautiful.” She looks back at me. “And so big!”
I can’t resist. “That’s what she said.”
Ruby snorts a laugh, but my daughter frowns. “That is what Ruby said?”
“It’s a joke.” Ruby smooths her hand down Lillie’s hair, and I place her backpack on the queen-sized bed against the wall.
The room has been furnished and vacant since we bought the house. I look around at the white walls and sand-colored comforter on the bed with tan pillows. White cordless shades cover the windows, and the French doors facing the front drive are covered with long, white sheers. Even the bathroom suite is all white.
“You can change the décor if you’d like.”
She goes to the beige-wood corner desk. “It is a bit monochromatic. Maybe after my first month?”
Lillie takes her hand. “Come see my room!”
I stop them before they leave. “I’m heading downstairs.” Turning my attention to Lillie, my voice gets serious. “No more playing. Brush your teeth and get ready for bed. Lights out in ten minutes.”
“Okay.” Her bottom lip pokes out, and I scoop her up in a hug.
“Goodnight, princess.”
She melts and gives me a hug then starts wiggling to get down. I release her and straighten to catch Ruby’s eyes on me.
Her expression is a mixture of curiosity and something more… desire? I don’t know. Hell, maybe it’s just what I want to see there. I can’t stop these feelings of desire from flaring up.
I will stop them.
