Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)

They walked into the kitchen.


“When does Leonard come back?” Isabel asked as she pulled out bottles of ginger ale and a box of crackers.

“Late tonight. I’m counting the minutes.”

Isabel glanced at her watch. It was barely after ten in the morning. “Look, Paper Moon is closed today. I can stay. Bring me up to date with the kids and I’ll take over while you get a nap.”

“I’m fine,” Maeve told her. “Really. You don’t want to be alone with my kids.”

“Only three, right?”

“Yeah. Griffin’s fine and he went to school.”

Just then four-year-old Kelly walked in. She wore pj’s and looked nearly as tired as her mom.

“Mommy, I’m hungry.”

Maeve smiled. “That’s a good sign. How about some ginger ale while I get you some crackers? If they make your tummy happy, then you can try some banana.”

Kelly nodded, then looked at Isabel. “Hi, Auntie Is.”

“Hey, munchkin.” Isabel crouched in front of her. “You had a bad night, huh?”

Kelly nodded and leaned against Isabel. “I got sick in my bed.”

Isabel picked up the girl and hugged her. “Poor you.” And Mom, she thought, knowing Maeve would have had to deal with the cleanup.

“Come on,” she told her sister. “Let’s get the other two sorted out. Then I’m taking over.”

Maeve hesitated, then nodded. “I wouldn’t say yes, but with the baby and all, I really need to get some sleep.”

They checked out the other two, both of whom were asleep. Isabel promised to wake Maeve if either stirred, then shooed her sister off to her room and returned to the kitchen with Kelly.

Once her niece had finished her ginger ale and a few crackers, Isabel checked on the laundry. Sheets were piled up, with one wet load sitting in the washer. She pulled clean sheets out of the dryer and tossed them in the basket, then put the wet stuff in the dryer and put in a new load of dirties. After starting everything, she carried the basket back to the kitchen and kept Kelly company while she folded.

Her cell rang and she pulled it out of her pocket. A quick glance at the screen had her smiling.

“Hi, Mom. Where are you?”

“Hong Kong,” her mother said. “It’s loud. I’m buying you and your sister silk blouses.”

“Which will only make us love you more,” Isabel said with a laugh. “I’m with your granddaughter. Want to say hi?”

“Absolutely.”

Isabel pushed the button for the speakerphone and Kelly told her grandmother about the three siblings getting sick. When she went off to watch cartoons, Isabel released the speakerphone.

“Maeve’s sleeping,” she told her mother. “She’s exhausted but didn’t eat whatever the kids did. I’m helping out.”

“I’m glad you’re there,” her mother told her. “I miss you both. How’s the store?”

“Excellent. Those new designer clothes have already sold. They’re bringing in a lot of money.”

Her mother sighed. “And that’s not enough to convince you to stay? You could buy us out over time and...” There was another sigh. “Your father is telling me to stop pushing.”

“I appreciate your faith in me, but you know my plans.”

“I do. And I’ll be quiet now.”

They chatted a few more minutes, then hung up.

Three hours later, Maeve staggered into the family room. She blinked as she looked around. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.”

“Why not?” Isabel asked. “You needed it.”

The three kids were stretched out together under a blanket, watching a DVD. They smiled sleepily at their mom but didn’t get up.

“Everyone has had ginger ale, crackers and soup. They’re all tired and are going to watch the movie. Come on. I’ll make you some lunch. You must be starving.”

Maeve followed her into the kitchen. Isabel opened the refrigerator and collected the fixings for a sandwich, but before she could start making it, her sister started to cry.

Isabel rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?” she asked, crouching next to her. “Is it the baby?”

Maeve shook her head, her blond hair swaying with the movement. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“You cleaned the kitchen and did laundry,” she said, the words slightly muffled.

“Okay,” Isabel said slowly and patted her shoulder. “I’ll get you some water.”

“Thanks.” Maeve wiped her face. “I’m sorry. It’s just I’m so tired, and when Leonard’s gone, I fall apart. He doesn’t travel much, but he had to take a continuing-education class and the one he wanted was only available in person in San Francisco.”

Isabel got a glass and filled it with water, then returned to her sister’s side.

Maeve took it. “Last night was so awful and then you showed up and took care of everything. I really appreciate it.”