“So one minute Haley might be upset that her mother is gone, and the next minute she’s engrossed in a cartoon or talking about becoming a fairy princess. As she grows up and begins to comprehend more, she’ll likely go through different stages of grief at different ages. It’s a long process.”

“And has she said anything about what happened or who attacked them?” Maureen Upchurch asked, planting herself in Vince’s Man Chair.

“She’s having nightmares about a figure all in black,” Anne said. “Bad Daddy. No name. She may never say a name. Her subconscious mind may never let her.”

“Poor little thing,” Bordain said, distressed. “Her whole life has been turned upside down!”

Haley came back with her new toy tucked under her arm. “Where are my real kitties?”

“I had Hernando bring the mother cat and kittens to my house so we can feed them and take care of them,” Bordain said. “They’re living in the barn with the horses and the chickens. You should come visit them sometime soon.”

Haley lit up and turned to Anne. “Can we, Mommy Anne? Can we, please?”

Anne felt sucker punched, and there was nothing she could do but sit here and take it on the chin. Consciously or unconsciously, Milo Bordain had set her up.

“Mommy Anne?” Bordain arched a brow.

“That’s what Haley likes to call me,” Anne explained. “It gives her a little sense of security.”

“That seems completely inappropriate,” Maureen Upchurch said.

“She’s four,” Anne returned. “Let her have that if she wants it.”

Haley, impatient with the grown-ups, hopped up and down. “Can we, please, please, please?”

“I would love it if you would bring Haley out to see them!” Milo Bordain said, recovering from her instant reaction of disapproval. “Haley would so enjoy that. She loves all the animals. Don’t you, sweetheart? We have cattle and horses and sheep and goats and chickens.

“You should bring her,” she said to Anne. “I’ll have Hernando and Maria set up a picnic for us by the reservoir.”

Before Anne could draw breath for an excuse, Haley was right there with the big eyes and hopeful little cherub face.

“Mommy Anne! Can we go? Can we go, pleeeeeeeeeze?”

“We’ll see,” Anne said.

“Uh-oh,” Haley said, looking at her auntie Milo. “That means no.”

“It means we’ll wait and see,” Anne said.

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t bring her,” Bordain said, getting irritated.

Franny saved her from the awkward moment, emerging from the kitchen with a tray laden with drinks and cookies, calling, “Tea time for all the kitties! I mean kiddies!”

Anne took the two women on a tour of the house to satisfy Maureen Upchurch’s jealous curiosity, then herded them out the front door with an excuse about nap time and a promise to call Milo Bordain about the possible trip to the ranch.