“Of course not. Cassidy would be hurt if you didn’t come. And besides, if it’s not to your liking…just complain of being tired and you can limp badly and I’ll help you back home.”

Her mother laughed. “Escape plan, huh?”

“Yes. I just hope I won’t need one.”

“Quit worrying. Her parents will love you.”

She didn’t know why she was worried. If they didn’t like her, they didn’t like her. That would have no bearing on her and Cassidy’s relationship. What she was really afraid of was that they wouldn’t think she was a suitable partner for Cassidy. She was the yard girl, for God’s sake. Cassidy was a professional. She had a real job. Laura? Well, she did have three yards now, but that hardly constituted a thriving business.

“Laura Sue, you’re frowning. You’ve got to quit worrying about it. You are what you are.”

“A yard girl,” she said almost disgustedly.

Her mother laughed. “So tell them you’re a writer.”

Laura laughed too. “And what? I’m between books.”

“Writer’s block,” her mother managed between laughs.

“Eight years of it!” she said as she broke into a fit of giggles. “God…what was I thinking?”

“You wrote a book. I’ve always been so proud of that.”

“Thank you. But we should probably leave that in the past. And you’re right. I am what I am. A damn good yard girl.”

“What’s all that giggling out here?”

Laura turned at the sound of Cassidy’s voice and nearly fell off the float. “You’re early!”

“I know.”

“Like a day early! I don’t have dinner planned.”

“No problem. We’ll do our fallback plan.”

“Pizza? We’re going to get so fat.”

“No way.” Cassidy gave her an exaggerated wink. “I think we get enough exercise…don’t you?”

Laura felt a blush on her face which deepened as she heard her mother’s chuckle beside her. Laura turned to glare at her, which did no good whatsoever.

“Maggie? Is it okay if we have pizza at your place?”

“Oh, that would be nice. I was about to leave anyway. Help me out, Laura Sue.”

They paddled over to the shallow end, and Laura marveled at how comfortable her mother was in the water now. And at the progress she’d made over the summer. She walked unassisted up the steps—wearing her new flowery swimsuit—to take Cassidy’s hand. Cassidy draped a towel around her shoulders.

“You’re doing so good, Maggie.”

“Thanks to you two.” She looked fondly over at Laura. “She would have made a good drill instructor. She was relentless.”

Laura smiled at her. “Maybe by next summer, you’ll be able to ditch the cane too.”

“I’m just happy I’m not tied to that dang walker. It made me feel old.”