She got up, climbed the ladder. Keely stood at the bottom, arms open.
Zoey kept her gaze on her, climbed on the slide, and then pushed off.
Keely caught her, grabbing her up, twirling around.
Zoey laughed.
Oh, she could live forever on that sound.
“Did you like that?”
Zoey nodded, then pushed to get down and ran back to the slide. She climbed up the ladder again, her gaze on Keely.
Grinning.
She turned to see if Marnie caught it, but the woman had left them alone in the yard.
Huh. But maybe they’d be okay.
Keely caught her daughter again, this time bracing herself, and then again, and finally Zoey ran for the house. Keely spotted Marnie standing at the open door.
“Do you two want lunch?” The worry in her eyes seemed to have vanished.
“I’ll have to text the airfield and tell them we’ll be late.”
“We’ll make it quick, then.”
They came inside and Marnie had made grilled cheese sandwiches. Zoey climbed up on a stool that slid up to the Formica counter, but Marnie shooed her off to wash her hands.
Note to self. Wash hands.
Marnie poured Zoey a glass of milk. “She loves grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets, and she hates oatmeal.”
“Me too.”
Marnie raised an eyebrow. “Are you related to the family? Because ... maybe Zoey is who you remind me of.”
Huh. “Sort of. I’m a family friend.”
“Oh, so like an aunt?”
“Maybe.” Someday—maybe, hopefully—Mommy.
Zoey came running back, climbed again on the stool, and scooped up the sandwich.
Marnie walked over to a chair at the kitchen table. “She came with a backpack.” She lifted the pack, a horse on the front, fringes on the side. “I bought her new clothes, and she spent Christmas with us, so she has a couple toys in this bag.” She gestured to a large paper shopping bag. “Sorry, I wish she had more.”
“I got this,” Keely said.
She pulled up a stool next to Zoey and ate the grilled cheese sandwich Marnie had made.
“Yes, I believe you do,” Marnie said, arms folded, a hip against the counter.
She glanced at Alicia, who nodded.
Keely had rented a car and purchased a car seat, and Alicia helped buckle Zoey into the back, handing her a small stuffed panda. “You’re going to go with Keely. And she’s going to take very good care of you.” Marnie glanced over at Keely in the driver’s seat.
Keely nodded. “I promise.”
