“I didn’t,” Hailey said abruptly. Skye turned toward the house, saw her, and waved before joining in another wild race with the children. Her laughter carried across the lawn and confused Hailey even more. Of course she wanted Skye to be happy, but the situation felt out of control. Hailey didn’t know if she should be thrilled or angry with Delinda . . . again. “Who are those children?”
“They attend Sterling Waters, a private school, right here in town. They’re in camp this time of year, so Mrs. Westerly suggested that meeting them might get Skye interested in attending the school in the fall. How amazing for you to have an employer who is also like a guardian angel for your niece. Their connection is heartwarming.”
“Yes, heartwarming,” Hailey echoed. And scary. “So the camp moved over here for the day? Just like that?”
Mrs. Holihen smiled. “Mrs. Westerly had me call the headmaster yesterday and ask if any second graders would like a quick field trip to her house. I’ve never seen any faculty fall all over themselves to make something happen. From what I understand, every single parent at that school would love for their child to be friends with Mrs. Westerly’s great-grandchild.”
“Great-grandchild? You know we’re not related to her.”
“I do, but it seems that Mrs. Westerly and Skye like pretending you are. From the way doors fly open at the mere mention of her name, I would love it if Mrs. Westerly adopted me.” Mrs. Holihen’s humor was lost on Hailey.
Hailey brought shaking hands to her cheeks. Skye was still laughing and playing with the other children. Why do I feel like I should grab her and run?
Is it selfishness? Do I resent that Delinda is succeeding where I failed?
No, it’s not that.
I’m right to be worried. This is all happening too fast, and it could end. I don’t want Skye to get hurt.
Hailey’s phone rang in her purse, but she didn’t answer it. Her attention was on her niece. She was ready to intervene at the first sign of distress.
“There you are,” Delinda said from the doorway. A tall, stocky Italian man who looked to be in his late sixties accompanied her. “Hailey Tiverton, meet one of my dearest friends—Alessandro Andrade.”
Hailey held out her hand to shake his.
The man smiled warmly, then pulled her to him for a bone-crushing hug that lifted her off her feet. “Good to meet you.” He was a lot stronger than he looked.
Once released, Hailey lowered her hand and caught her breath. “You, too.”
Delinda beamed. “You beat the ponies. Skye said she adores them, so I’m having some brought out for her to meet. Two of the girls she is playing with board theirs at a farm in Sterlington. Horses give girls confidence and will provide her a hobby. I’m excited to see the selection today. My riding days are over, but I have many fond memories of my childhood pony, Cinnamon.”
“No,” Hailey said weakly, then repeated herself in a firmer tone. “No pony.”
Delinda turned and looked back toward the front door of the house. “Michael is waving for me to come, so they must be arriving now.” Her smile was bright, and she briefly took Hailey’s hand in hers. “My heart is racing like it did when I chose my own pony. I didn’t think I’d ever feel this excited about anything again. Thank you. I can’t wait to see which one she chooses.” With that, Delinda turned and walked briskly back into the house.
Momentarily forgetting the older man at her side, Hailey searched the crowd of children for her niece. Skye was standing with another little girl laughing about something, laughing just as joyously as Skye had before her parents had died. Relief battled with self-doubt and guilt.
This isn’t our life. It’s a dream that could crash and burn on the whim of my employer. I need to put a stop to it.
But how can I when Skye is finally looking like herself again? Do I have a right to take this away from her?
I didn’t put that smile on her face. I was the reason she wasn’t talking. Was I also the reason she wasn’t healing? I keep thinking I know what’s best for her, but do I? Maybe I’m doing everything wrong. Ryan, maybe you entrusted your daughter to the wrong person. Hailey wiped a stray tear from her cheek and sniffed loudly. I’m trying, Ryan. What would you do?
Alessandro cleared his throat beside her. “Would it help if I spoke to Delinda?”
With a shaky, indrawn breath, Hailey said, “No, but thank you. I’ll talk to her.”
“She means well.”
“I know.”
“Delinda has been a second mother to me. It’s good to see her excited and happy again.”
Watching Skye play, Hailey chose her words carefully. “Delinda is amazingly generous.” I know being here feels good, but this isn’t our life. I don’t want to deny her a moment of this dream, but what happens if we have to wake up and go home?
“She likes you, and she doesn’t like many people.”
Hailey hugged an arm to her stomach. “She said as much, but I don’t agree. She has a soft heart under all that tough talk.”
Alessandro’s voice deepened with emotion. “That she does. I was worried when I heard you were here, but now I understand.”
“Really? Sometimes I’m not so sure I do.”
Without warning, Hailey flew forward and would have tumbled down the stairs had Alessandro not caught her arm. A flurry of apologetic children encircled them, then rushed down the steps, calling out that there were ponies in the driveway.
Skye ran up the steps and came to a skidding halt in front of Hailey. “Delinda is getting me a pony. A pony, Auntie Hailey. Can you believe it? She said I can take riding lessons.” There must have been something in Hailey’s expression because Skye’s smile wavered. “Please don’t say no.”
“Ponies need—” Hell, I’ve never had a pony, but I know we can’t afford one.
“Delinda said I could.”
“Delinda does not make the decisions for our family.”
The previously sweet, withdrawn Skye stomped her foot and said, “I’m getting a pony.” She glared at Hailey and ran past her into the house.
And just like that, Hailey was thrown a new worry—one worse than the fear that their time there might end suddenly: Who will we become if we stay?
How did Skye go from withdrawn and fragile to outspoken and bratty?
Delinda.
No. That’s not fair. Coming here was my decision. How it plays out is on me as well. I’ll talk to Delinda and explain to her that she absolutely can’t make any decisions when it comes to Skye without consulting me.
A month ago I would have done anything, promised anything, just for the chance to hear her voice again. Coming here brought the old Skye back to life.
At what cost? I can’t let her begin to think that money equates to happiness. Our family has never obsessed over material things. Ryan wouldn’t want his daughter to. No pony.
On the other hand, the pony would give her a connection to the other girls. She has lost so much. How can I even consider taking something else from her?
The aunt in me wants to spoil her and celebrate all the good I’ve seen in her.