“I have an older sister. Carla. She has twins. They were cute when they were babies, until they turned into holy terrors. She’s just a year older than me.”

Since they were sharing personal things, Cassidy didn’t think it was out of line to ask why she was living here. She wondered if this eight-year writer’s block—and no job—had turned her destitute. It wasn’t really any of her business, but… “So what’s the story with you living with your mother? I know you said she was an invalid. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her.”

Laura met her gaze for a moment, and Cassidy wondered if maybe she should have kept the question to herself.

“My mother and I used to be very close. Always were, really. But I was the tomboy tagging along with my father, following him everywhere. After he died—my mother was only fifty-eight—we got even closer. Then she met Frankie. Six months after my dad died, Frankie moved in with her. They got married.” She shrugged. “I couldn’t stand the man. My relationship with my mother deteriorated.”

“Your sister?”

“Yeah, she stopped coming around too. Then the car accident three years ago. He was driving and wasn’t injured. She was in the hospital for weeks. Came out in a wheelchair. I blame Frankie not only for the accident, but for not pushing her to walk.” Laura waved her hand. “Doesn’t matter. Frankie died. Heart attack, out by the shed. My mother can’t get around enough to be on her own…so here I am.”

“Gave up your own life? That’s admirable.”

Laura once again splashed water at her. “I’m no saint. I came kicking and screaming. But we couldn’t afford to hire someone to stay with her so…I had no job, no family.”

“Sister guilted you into it, huh?”

Laura laughed. “Pretty much. But it’s worked out. My mother and I have gotten close again. We called a truce regarding Frankie. And I’m making her use the walker instead of the chair. She’s gotten stronger. I don’t know if she’ll ever feel confident enough to live on her own, but I hope she can at least gain some independence.”

“You ought to get her in the pool,” Cassidy suggested. “Water therapy is supposed to be great.”

Laura smiled at her. “That’s so sweet of you. I was going to sneak her in next week.”

Cassidy shook her head. “You don’t have to sneak. I’m not paying you nearly enough for all the work you’ve done.”

Laura stretched her arms out. “Reminds me that I’m not as young as I used to be. Hauling that stone about killed me.”

“How old are you, anyway?”

“Just turned thirty-eight. Last Wednesday.”

“Really? You had a birthday. You should have told me.”