“Sorry, Mama,” Hannah said, appearing anything but as she gazed up at her mother with a smile.

She put Hannah down when Emma handed her the baby. “You’re as incorrigible as she is.” Emma’s hand stayed on Cain’s arm as Emma stuck her tongue out at her.

“Lassie, you say that like it’s a bad thing,” she said as she put her free hand around Emma’s waist.

“I should spank you for teaching your daughter bad things, but you’re not lying. You always follow through.” Emma shook her head as they headed for the kitchen.

The baby jumped in her arms when he saw their longtime housekeeper Carmen and lunged at her when they were close enough. There’d been plenty of changes around the house with the addition of family, but none more surprising than Ross and Carmen’s budding romance. She had a feeling Dallas and Remi weren’t going to be the only ones planning a ceremony in the future now that Ross was almost free of Carol.

“Mom, don’t forget I’m going to the movies with my friends after school,” Hayden said when she sat down.

“I haven’t forgotten, and here.” She handed over three twenties.

This was the fourth time he’d mentioned it, so she was starting to suspect the friends weren’t his buddies from the all boys school he attended. “Remember that Mook stays with you,” she said of Hayden’s longtime guard.

“You know it, and I’ll be home by seven or so.”

“Make it seven on the dot,” Emma said, and her tone meant it would be unwise to argue. “It’s a school night, so lose the pout, son. Besides, I’m sure the girl’s parents will agree with me.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Hayden said, and Cain had to laugh.

“Now you see why I never step out of line,” she said to him and winked at Emma. “Finish eating, and Mama and I will give you a ride to school.”

She smiled as the kids talked nonstop about their friends and school. The only surprising thing was that Hannah had stopped talking about Lucy as much. That she hadn’t mentioned her once today meant there was something wrong, but Hannah had a way of clamming up whenever she asked too many questions about her best friend.

“Do you feel okay, Hannah?” Emma asked, seeming to have figured out the same thing.

Hannah nodded but stayed quiet as she shoved eggs in her mouth. “Are Liam and Tori coming with us to Grandpa’s?” Hannah said after a long pause, clearly changing the subject.