“Not before dinner,” Daanis said.
Oops.It was a reminder—as if I needed one—of how different our lives had become. The years when we would stay up talking all night about my dreams, about our plans, were over. “I can come back another time.”
“Don’t be silly. I’m glad you’re here. Come in.” She gave me a hug and backed out of the doorway like a carriage driver reversing a team of horses on the street. “Watch out for Legos.”
I followed her through the toy-strewn living room to the kitchen and sat at the kitchen table while she dealt with something on the stove. “Can I do anything?”
“Keep me company, that’s all. Thanks for thec-a-n-d-y.”
“Perk of the job. Since I work for my mother.”
“Mm. How’s that going?”
My leg jiggled. “Job-wise, it’s okay.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “And otherwise?”
I watched her cook, Rose still attached to her leg. “Remember inAnne of Green Gables, when Matthew dies, and Marilla tells Anne she’s been her joy and comfort?”
“That scene always made you cry.”
“Yeah. Well, the other night I was trying to comfort Mom, talking about Dad, and she told me to be quiet so she could watchFamily Feud.”
“She loves you, Anne. You know she does. But you can’t expect people to behave the way they do in books.”
“I don’t.”
“You do.”
“It’s not wrong to believe in happy endings.”
“Of course not. But—” Daanis broke off, stirring vigorously.
“But what?”
“Well, life isn’t like a romance novel, is it? There is no ending. You just have to keep on going and hope for the best.”
It sounded like something my mother would say. Practical and…true?
I stooped under the table and grabbed a handful of toys, lining them up in front of me—a cow, a car, a dinosaur, a pony. Rose scrambled onto the chair beside me to watch. “Speaking of books…Do you still have my copy ofAnne ofthe Island? I promised it to Hailey, and then I remembered I loaned it to you.”
Fifteen years ago.Before Daanis’s marriage. Before her move.
Rose added a puppy to the animals straggling across the table.
“Hailey Miller?” Daanis asked. “Isn’t she a little old for the Anne books?”
“You are never too old for Anne,” I said firmly. “She’s so passionate and imaginative and hopeful. Shecaresabout things. Anyway, Hailey’s readingAnne of Avonleanow.”
“Joe told me his sister was working at the shop this summer.”
“Erm. Yes.”
I’d run out of plastic animals for the parade. Rose ran into the living room for more.
Daanis turned and looked at me. “So I guess you’ve seen him since you moved home. Joe.”
I hated blushing, even in front of Daanis, who knew me better than anyone. Maybe especially in front of Daanis. My cheeks were flaming now.
