She slaps her forehead dramatically.“Oh, my gosh!I totally forgot!I’m supposed to make a diorama.I have to stand in front of the whole class and show it and even talk about it.Oh, my gosh!”She begins to count on her fingers.“I need construction paper, glue sticks, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, and a whole bunch of other stuff.”
“What a coincidence!I got all those things in town today when you were at school.”
She puts her hands on her hips.“Allof it?That’s a lot of stuff, Emma.”
“Tell me about it!I mean, just look!”
I point out the sliding door toward the huge table under the pergola.
“What?”She stops and stares, then turns to me, her face suddenly quite serious.
My heart drops.I crouch down in front of her and grab her hands.“What’s wrong, honey?”
She shakes her head.“Nothing, Emma.I’m just so glad you’re here with me.With us.”She falls against me, and I hold her tight.
Until she’s had enough of that, pushes away, and runs out the door yelling, “Woo-hoo!It’s diorama time!”
CHAPTER 58
Emma
Jasmine looks across the table, slowly nodding as she takes it all in.“I think we’re going to make the best diorama in the history of the whole world.”
And that’s exactly what we do… if the whole world means her third-grade class.It’s an exact replica of Yosemite Ranch minus some of the outbuildings, but definitely including her dad’s horse barn.Plus we added two sparkling lakes, two rivers, and some little plastic cows and horses I found at the five and dime.
And then for the finishing touch, Jasmine sprinkles glitter all over everything.She stands over her creation and says, “I’m so going to get an A.”
“I need to check on the roast.Get ready to help me with the dessert.I can’t do it without you.”
I head back to the kitchen and open the oven, lifting the roasting pan lid to inspect the progress.The pot roast is perfect.I lean down and lift the heavy pan from the rack, then use my foot to close the oven door.
As I do this, I hear the front door open and slam shut.Then a loud male voice asks, “What’s that smell?”
I nearly drop the pan.Declan, Evander, and Special K appear at the entrance to the kitchen.Jasmine runs straight into Declan’s arms, and he grabs her up.
“Whoa!You’re a glitter bomb!”
She laughs.“You should see the diorama!”
Special K scans the kitchen, and his eyes land on the roasting pan.“It’s meat,” he says.
I laugh.“It is.Some might even call it pot roast.”
“In the middle of summer?”Evander steps into the kitchen and raises his nose to inhale.
“It’s comfort food.”I peel off the oven mitts and toss them on the counter.
“I need comforting.”Special K takes a seat at the kitchen island.“When do we eat?”
“Oh, no, Emma!Our secret’s out!”Jasmine squirms out of Declan’s arms, her eyes wide.
Declan grins at me.“Oooh, I love a good secret.Which one are we talking about?Because I think there may be a few to choose from.”
I sigh and cross my arms over my chest.I’m actually shocked it’s taken this long.I haven’t been outed by words, but by scents.And I have to admit, this is one fragrant pot roast.
“This is a slow-roasted, pre-meditated secret,” Evander says.“She’s been holding back evidence.”
Declan heads to the cabinets and starts pulling out plates.“I’ll set the table.Which one?Inside?Outside?”
