Mrs. Holihen waved Hailey over to show her the result of Skye’s math unit test. “I wish all of my students were as easy to teach as your niece is.”
Hailey kissed Skye on the top of her head. “I’m so proud of you.”
Skye beamed with pride. “Math is important. Do you know why?”
Hailey could have listed reasons, but she was more interested in what had put that spark in her niece’s eyes. “Why?”
“Delinda said people use math to draw the houses they build. You can actually build a house that you draw, Auntie Hailey. And if I learn math and draw a really good house, Delinda is going to build it. A house, Auntie Hailey. A real house. For me and you.”
Delinda, how do I show you that you don’t have to do this? Hailey groaned inwardly. She kept a smile on her face, though. “She means a dollhouse, but I’d love it if you design my dream bathroom. I’ve always wanted one of those showers that’s so big you don’t need a door.”
“I can do that. It will be perfect. I promise.”
“I know it will be.” Hailey looked around the guesthouse. “Don’t forget that you have chores before you’re done for the day. Did you put the dishes away?”
“I did.”
“And your bedroom. Did you clean it?”
“Some of it.” Skye smiled, reminding Hailey so much of the mischievous child she’d once been.
“Mrs. Holihen, I’m going over to see Delinda. When Skye finishes her work, could you remind her to clean her room before you take her outside? That is, if she wants to go to the barn tonight.”
“I do! I’d better get back to work,” Skye said cheerfully. “I have carrots for Clover.”
Both Hailey and Mrs. Holihen laughed in surprise.
Mrs. Holihen said, “See, easy.”
For bribes as big as ponies and houses, yes.
“Auntie Hailey, can Delinda come with us again tonight?”
“We’ll see. She might be busy.”
“She won’t be. Did you see how happy she was when she was brushing Clover? She loves ponies.” Skye stopped and tilted her head to one side. “Do you think it’s funny that Delinda and I have so much in common? It’s like she really is my grandmother.”
“But she’s not, honey.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth Hailey regretted them. Skye’s face crumpled, and she turned her back to Hailey. Mrs. Holihen busied herself with rearranging the papers on the table. Trying for a cheerful voice, Hailey said, “I’ll see you two when your lessons are finished.”
Skye didn’t answer her.
Mrs. Holihen looked across at Hailey, her eyes full of sympathy. “I’ll bring her over at four. After she cleans her room, I was planning to take her down to the beach for a French lesson.”
“That sounds perfect.” Hailey stepped forward and went to hug her niece, but Skye pulled away. Hailey dropped down to her knees beside her. “Skye, look at me.”
Skye reluctantly turned to face Hailey, but she didn’t meet her eyes.
Hailey touched her own chest lightly, then tapped Skye’s. “The same team. You and me. Always. Even when we’re angry with each other. Nothing changes how much I love you.”
Skye raised her eyes. There was a heartbreaking amount of confusion in them. “Why don’t you want me to be happy?”
Hailey’s heart flipped, and she pushed back the tears that surged to her eyes. Is that what she really thinks? “I do. I want you to be happy more than I want anything else in the whole world.” She tucked one of Skye’s curls behind her ear. “But I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Delinda would never hurt me.”
Not on purpose.
Or maybe not at all. She’s been so kind to us. What would it hurt to let the two of them go on pretending? So far, doing things my way hasn’t worked out that well for any of us.
“You’re right. She wouldn’t.” Hailey straightened and smoothed Skye’s hair as she did. “Be good for Mrs. Holihen. I’ll see you at the main house later.”
“Okay. Then we’ll eat with Delinda? And take her to the barn?”
“If that’s what she wants—yes.”
Skye’s smile returned. “It will be.”
Hailey wished she were that certain about anyone or anything. I used to be. There was a time when I trusted myself and other people. Instead of doubting every good thing that comes my way, I should be grateful for how kind Delinda has been to us. Skye used to be as afraid to believe in anything as I am. Look at her now. Who knows, maybe there’s even hope for me.
She nodded to Mrs. Holihen and left so they could get back to work. As she walked over to the main house, she thought back to what Spencer had said about Delinda. His version didn’t match the side of Delinda that Hailey had seen.
Yes, she could be cutting.
Yes, she was controlling and had difficulties with boundaries.
But coldhearted? No.
Michael opened the door of the main house. “Welcome back, Miss Hailey.”
Hailey had told him several times to just call her Hailey, but Michael took pride in remaining formal. “Thank you, Michael. Is Delinda in the solarium?” It was her favorite afternoon place.
“She is.”
“Was she asking for me?”
“Yes, but she seemed quite pleased to hear that you had gone out.”
“She did?”
Michael didn’t volunteer more.
Once inside the foyer, Hailey hesitated. “Michael, could I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Why don’t any of Delinda’s family visit her?”
Her question rocked Michael back onto his heels. “Her son takes her out to lunch now and then. Her oldest grandson visits her, also.”
“I haven’t met them, and I’ve been here for weeks.”
“Brett is engaged—getting married at the end of the summer. She recently learned he and Alisha are expecting a baby. It’s not a wonder he hasn’t been around much.”
Why didn’t Delinda tell me her good news? “And her other grandchildren? She talks about them a lot, but they don’t come by.”
Michael cleared his throat. “Every family is different.”
“Do you know her grandson Spencer?”
“I have met him many times.” Michael adjusted the collar of his dress shirt as if it were suddenly choking him.
“Were they ever close?” Something must have happened to give Spencer that impression of his grandmother. Delinda had spoken of Spencer too many times for Hailey to ever see him as not part of her family.
“It’s really not my place to say.”
Although that was true, Hailey justified her perseverance by reminding herself that Delinda would not have let that stop her. “I care about both of them, Michael. I just want to understand.”
Michael considered her request, then shook his head. “Your questions would be best answered by Mrs. Westerly. I’m sorry.”
“Would she tell me the truth if I asked her?”
Michael smiled. “Her truth, yes.”
“I was hoping for something a little less subjective.”