With that decided, she found it safer to change the subject. “So what is Stephen doing today that you were allowed to escape without the twins. Not that I wouldn’t mind seeing them,” she added quickly.

“I know you think they’re brats. Quit lying.”

“They’re just at that age,” she said evasively.

“You’ve been saying that since they were two.”

Laura smiled and shoved a chip into her mouth. “Okay…brats.”

“Stephen took them to a movie,” Carla continued.

“Pity the poor souls who sit by them,” she said without thinking.

“Bryson was looking forward to the movie. I’m sure he’ll behave. Brooke, however, didn’t really want to go. She’ll be the problem one.”

“How could you let them get to be eight years old and still be little terrors?”

“Holy terrors,” her mother chimed in, causing Carla to stare at her with an open mouth. “As if you don’t know,” her mother added with a wave of her hand.

Carla sighed. “I blame Stephen. We tried for so long to have kids that when it finally happened, he spoiled them rotten.” She pointed a finger at Laura. “And you didn’t help things, Aunt Laura. Always bringing them presents and toys.”

“I at least try to discipline them when I’m around. They don’t even like me anymore.”

“They don’t like anyone right now.” She stared past them. “Lunch is served. Don’t forget, I get one of your enchiladas in trade for a taco.”

“Not so fast, sis. I said I would see how the taco looked first,” she reminded her. The plate placed in front of Carla contained three large, stuffed-to-the-gills, crispy tacos. Laura smiled. “And I approve. Gimme one.”

Chapter Seventeen

Laura felt a twinge of guilt—albeit a very tiny twinge—for playing in Cassidy’s pool before she’d even done one single thing that constituted yardwork. She was mentally planning flowerbeds, she’d told herself as way of an excuse. But she really didn’t need an excuse, did she? No. Cassidy had given her permission to use the pool. She never once put qualifiers on it.

And it was simply glorious. The water looked crisp and blue. Refreshing. And oh, it was. And she’d had two beers. And she was relaxed. No, there would be no yardwork this afternoon. She’d make up for it tomorrow. She’d head into town—in Frankie’s old truck—and buy the materials she’d need for the flowerbed. She’d also buy two large planters for out here at the pool. She’d definitely get those done before Cassidy came on Friday.