“If Sherry doesn’t object, I can’t see any reason why not.”

Heather hugged her father and he kissed her head. “Have fun, you two.”

“We will,” Sherry said.

“Spend your money wisely,” he advised on his way out the door, but the look he cast Sherry assured her he trusted her to guide Heather in her decisions.

The girl waited until her father was out of the room before she hurled herself onto the beige sofa and threw out both arms. “Isn’t this great? You brought your swimsuit, didn’t you? I did.”

Sherry had, but she wasn’t sure there’d be enough time for them to use the hotel pool.

“It’s almost as if we’re a real family.”

“Heather…”

“I know, I know,” she said dejectedly. “Dad already lectured me about this. I’m not supposed to say anything that might insin…insinuate that the two of you share any romantic interest in each other.” She said this last bit in a tinny voice that sounded as if it were coming from a robot.

“At least your father and I understand each other.”

“That’s just it. You don’t. He really likes you, Sherry. A lot. He’d never admit it, though.” She sighed and cocked her head. “Men have a problem with pride, don’t they?”

“Women do, too,” Sherry said, reaching for her purse. “Are you ready to shop till we drop, or do you want to discuss the troublesome quirks of the male psyche?”

It didn’t take Heather more than a second to decide. She bolted from the sofa. “Let’s shop!”

The mall close to the hotel consisted of nearly fifty stores, of which twenty sold clothing, and they made a point of visiting each and every one. When they were back in the hotel, arms laden with packages, Sherry discovered they’d bought something in more than half the stores they’d ventured into.

Heather was thrilled with her purchases. She removed the merchandise from the bags and spread the outfits over the two beds in their room, quickly running out of space. The overflow spilled onto the sofa and love seat in the living room. Two pairs of crisp jeans and several brightly colored blouses. Several T-shirts. A couple of jersey pullovers and a lovely soft cardigan. Two bras—the right size for Heather’s still-developing figure—and matching panties. Sherry had talked Heather into buying a couple of dresses, too, although the girl insisted the only place she’d ever wear them was church. Their biggest extravagance had been footwear—five pairs altogether. Boots, sneakers, dress shoes—to go with her Sunday dresses—a sturdy pair for school and a pair of bedroom slippers.

Sherry wasn’t immune to spending money on herself, and she’d purchased a gorgeous black crepe evening dress. Heaven only knew where she was going to wear it, but she’d been unable to resist.

“I have an idea!” Heather announced. “Let’s dress up really nice for dinner. I’ll wear my dress and new shoes and you can wear your new dress, and then we’ll go down and order lobster for dinner and charge it to the room so Dad’ll pay for it.”