“What is she doing here? If you’re too busy to pay attention to the children, I’m here. I’m happy to do things with them.”

Sarah handed the cooler to Jack. “Take this out to the car and get in your seats. I’ll be right there.”

Sarah waited for the boys to do as she said, then turned to Margaret. “I’m taking the boys to Luke’s. Camille is here to clean the house.”

“That’s not necessary,” Margaret argued, but Sarah saw the embarrassment in her eyes.

“I’ve got a heavy workload and I promised the boys I wouldn’t work all the time while we are here, so I don’t have time to clean the house myself for you. It’s needed and Camille will take care of it.”

“I don’t want a stranger in my house.”

“You invited me here.” She hoped Margaret understood that she didn’t know Sarah as well as she claimed to Luke. “Camille is part of our family, so please treat her kindly and let her do her job.”

Margaret silently seethed for a moment. “Fine. Of course you’d hire someone to do everything for you.” With that Margaret spun on her heel and walked away.

Sarah turned to Camille. “I left the cleaning supplies in the kitchen.”

Camille touched her arm. “Don’t worry. I’ll have the place cleaned in no time and I’ll stay out of Margaret’s way.”

“Thank you. I know this is above and beyond.”

Camille smiled. “It’s no trouble. And you did pay for my upcoming vacation.” Camille deserved the five-night six-day Key West vacation.

“If you want to extend your stay a couple extra days, just let me know.”

“That’s probably all the family time I can handle.” Camille was meeting her parents and they planned to spend the week together catching up.

Sarah wished she were only here for six days instead of six weeks. “Thank you again for driving all the way out here. I’m hoping Margaret doesn’t get as upset about the gardeners coming by later.”

Camille looked around the yard. “It’s not safe for the boys to be running around out here without cutting back the lawn and overgrown bushes.”

“Let’s hope she sees it that way.” Sarah glanced at the boys waiting in the car. “Gotta go. I don’t want to be late.”

“Don’t let Margaret or her lawyer get to you. You’re a great mom.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.” She didn’t think anything would change Margaret’s mind.

Sarah rushed to the car and made sure the boys were strapped in properly, then slid into the driver’s seat and drove down the long drive toward Luke’s place.

“I can’t wait to see the horsies,” Jack announced, his gaze focused on the road ahead.

“We’ll be there soon.” Already tired, she sucked in a deep breath, knowing even this day wasn’t going to end until well into the morning hours again.

She needed to reevaluate the hours she worked, because they left no time for herself. And the constant fatigue left her feeling perpetually drained, a little bit sick, and dragging.