“Is there a reason we are waiting out here?” Ternen looked around, slightly confused.
My mom smiled. “I’m waiting for Rick and his family. And Amy here has made it impossible for anyone to overhear us out here. However, when we go inside, unless we are in her room, that won’t be the case.” My mom turned to me. “Are you planning on bringing them to the cabin?” His gaze was sharp.
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I know we won’t have enough bedrooms, but we have the bathrooms to support everyone, thankfully.”
“Plus, camping would be fun for a young girl who has never been allowed to do anything.” Referring to Rick's little girl my mom smiled..
“Hopefully. And I’m hoping she and my girl get along.” I smiled as I heard another car pull up. “We’ll have to make lists of everything we need.” My mom nodded.
“We’ll also need extra supplies…” My mom looked at me.
I bit my lip. This would be too much to slip through my closet. Then I remembered the tunnel to dad’s pack house. “I have an idea.” But I turned to see Rick, his mate, and his daughter coming up the driveway. “Hey Rick.” I waved and walked down. “This must be Shelly.” I held out my hand, and she smiled, but I could see the shadow in her eyes.
“That’s me.” She shook my hand and then turned to her daughter. “This is Abby.” I looked down at the little girl with dull red hair, dark circles under her eyes and a missing tooth right up front.
I dropped down to her level and stuck out a hand. “Hi Abby, I’m Amy.” She smiled and shook my hand.
“Hi.” She looked at me with tired but curious eyes. “You’re beautiful.”
“So are you.” I grinned, but she looked down, sad. “What’s wrong darling?”
“I’m not beautiful. I’m sick.” She looked back up. “Sick people can’t be beautiful.”
“Who said that?” I tilted my head at her. “I think that some of the most beautiful people are sick. Do you want to know why?”
She looked at her mom. Shelly nodded and then turned back to me. “Why?” She dropped her head to stare at the ground before I could answer.
“I think some of the most beautiful people in the world are warriors.” I reached out and lifted her face. “Because being sick, like you, is a battle. Getting out of bed can be a struggle, right?” She nodded. “But you fight to do it every day. You get up, get dressed, and go about your day no matter how bad you feel. That is strength, true strength, and I think that makes you beautiful. Never let anyone make you feel bad about being sick. You can’t help it, and they don’t understand how something as simple as getting up can take your breath away.”
“Do you really mean that?” She looked at me with wide, bright green eyes.
“Absolutely.” I smiled at her, and she smiled back. I stood up and realized that Rick and Shelly both had tears in their eyes.
“Well, now.” My mom sniffled. “Who's ready for dinner?”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
My mom ushered us all inside and we sat down in the living room. She went around and asked about drinks, then she looked at me. “Hey sweetheart? Why don’t you give everyone a tour? I’m sure Abby will love to see your bedroom. You have that small closet full of all your old teddy bears.” She smiled. “I just have a few things to finish up in the kitchen and by the time you come down, dinner will be ready.” With that, she was gone behind the wall and I turned.
“Tour it is.” I brought them around the bottom floor, but I could tell Abby was being impatient.
“Amy?” Her soft voice had me turning.
“Yeah, sweetheart?” I crouched as she came up to me.
“Your house is really nice…”
“But?” I winked at her.
“Can we go see your room?” She sounded a little hopeful.
“Of course.” I looked up at Rick. “It’s upstairs.” My eyes flicked to Abby, and he nodded.
“Come here, baby.” He swooped down and picked her up. “Stairs are still a little hard for us, aren’t they, baby?”
Abby nodded. “I get tired.”
“Me too.” I winked again, and we turned to head upstairs. I pointed out a few other rooms, and then we came to my door. “Here we are.”
