He held her close a moment, absorbing her scent—youthful sweat, grass and flowery shampoo. It seemed impossible that ten years had passed since he’d first held her. Then she’d smelled of powder and fragility and fresh linen. It seemed impossible that she was half-grown and the time had been so short.

“I love you, Sarah.”

Content, she cuddled against him a moment, then, lifting her head, she grinned. “Enough to make pizza for dinner?”

He pinched her subtly pointed chin. “Maybe just enough for that.”

Chapter 11

When Lee thought of family dinners, she thought of quiet meals at a glossy mahogany table laid with heavy Georgian silver, meals where conversation was subdued and polite. It had always been that way for her.

Not this dinner.

The already confused kitchen became chaotic while Sarah dashed around, half dancing, half bobbing, as she filled her father in on every detail of the past two weeks. Oblivious to the noise, Bonnie used the kitchen phone to call home and check in with her husband and children. Santanas, forgiven, lay sprawled on the floor, dozing. Hunter stood at the counter, preparing what Sarah claimed was the best pizza in the stratosphere. Somehow he managed to keep up with his daughter’s disjointed conversation, answer the questions Bonnie tossed at him and cook at the same time.

Feeling like oil poured heedlessly on a rub of churning water, Lee began to clear the table. If she didn’t do something, she decided, she’d end up standing in the middle of the room with her head swiveling back and forth, like a fan at a tennis match.

“I’m supposed to do that.”

Awkwardly, Lee set down the teapot she’d just lifted and looked at Sarah. “Oh.” Stupid, she berated herself. Haven’t you any conversation for a child?

“You can help, I guess,” Sarah said after a moment. “But if I don’t do my chores, I don’t get my allowance.” Her gaze slid to her father, then back again. “There’s this album I want to buy. You know, the Total Wrecks.”

“I see.” Lee searched her mind for even a wispy knowledge of the group but came up blank.

“They’re actually not as bad as the name makes them sound,” Bonnie commented on her way out to the kitchen. “Anyway, Hunter won’t dock your pay if you take on an assistant, Sarah. It’s considered good business sense.”

Turning his head, Hunter caught his sister’s quick grin before she waltzed out of the room. “I suppose Lee should earn her supper as well,” he said easily. “Even if it isn’t red meat.”

The smile made it difficult for her to casually lift the teapot again.