Kendall, it seemed, was in control of all three of their destinies. “Did she say she was sending you back to boarding school?” he asked.
Hannah shook her head. “She just said she wouldn’t send me back to Vermont. Other than that she didn’t say squat.”
“Because she can’t talk to you through a locked door?” he asked, wryly.
“I guess.” Despite herself, Hannah smiled for the first time.
And when she did, Rick caught a glimpse of the beauty she’d one day become, just like her sister.
“But she doesn’t want me,” Hannah said.
“What makes you say that?”
Hannah clamped her mouth shut tight, all traces of that smile gone.
“Well?”
She glanced up through damp lashes and her heavy bangs. “I just know and so do you.”
“I know no such thing.” That much he could say with complete certainty. Kendall’s worry for her sister, her love and concern, were obvious. Just because she’d never thought to bring Hannah to live with her permanently didn’t mean she wouldn’t want to.
Kendall had planned to stay a short time and leave. With Hannah around, she’d probably have no choice but to stay through the summer. If so, Rick had another two months with Kendall. Two months for these two to deal with their own pasts and with each other. Kendall, especially, would have to deal with each, if Rick had any hope of her deciding to stay on permanently.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” Hannah’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “I mean I have to be cramping your style.”
“Excuse me?” He raised an eyebrow.
“You know. You can’t . . .” She kicked at the dirt with her black-laced boot. “You can’t do it while I’m around.”
“No one said we were doing anything.” He grinned. “And I’m being nice because I think despite this little incident, you’re a good kid.”
He caught his mistake at the same time Hannah spat, “I’m not a kid.”
“Right. You’re not. So let’s go home and face the consequences like the adult you are.”
She scowled at him.
“Besides, your teeth are chattering.” And Kendall was worried sick. “And I happen to know your sister bought some hot chocolate she might be convinced to give you. If you apologize.”
“I’ll think about it,” she muttered. But she stood and began walking toward the parking lot.
“Hannah?”
She turned.
“Keys?” He held out his hand.
With an exaggerated sigh, she slapped them into his palm. “Kendall can get the car tomorrow. In the meantime, mind if I give you some advice?”
“Could I stop you?”
He shook his head and laughed. “Kendall loves you. And I think you should give your sister a chance before pulling another stunt like this or hurling accusations.”
“Are you always so full of advice?” she asked.
“Usually. And here’s another thought for you. I’m off work tomorrow. Make sure you tell Kendall I’ll pick both of you up at nine. The DARE program from the high school is hosting a summer car wash here. I’ll bring you over to meet some of the kids.”
“Oh, joy.” She glared at him.
But through the facade, Rick caught a glimpse of a grateful smile and a flash of gratitude in her eyes. He only hoped she saved some of that goodwill for her older sister. Because Kendall had her work cut out for her when dealing with Hannah.
Selfishly, and just for a second, Rick wondered how that would leave any time for him in Kendall’s life now. “Remember, we have a date tomorrow,” he reminded Hannah.
“Yeah right.”
By the time he drove up to Kendall’s house, Rick knew she must be frantic. His hunch proved right when Hannah stomped up the driveway and Kendall flung open the door and pulled her sister into a huge hug of obvious relief.
To Rick’s frustration and dismay, Hannah didn’t return the gesture. Her arms remained stiff at her sides.
“I was worried sick,” Kendall said, stepping back. “You could have gotten yourself killed or killed someone else.” Her voice shook as she spoke.
“Well I didn’t.”
Rick stood behind Hannah, folded his arms over his chest, and waited. When the young girl remained stubbornly silent, he decided to step in. “Anything else?” he asked Hannah.
“I’m sorry,” she said begrudgingly.
Kendall sighed. “I want to believe you. And we’re going to have to set some ground rules, but if you promise not to do anything like this again, talking can wait and you can get some sleep.”
“I’m not grounded?” Hannah asked warily.
“Not this time.”
In Kendall’s eyes, he saw her struggle to remain stern yet somehow let her sister know she cared.
“You’re not going to send me away?” Hannah bit down on her lip, looking more like that lost child than the defiant kid.
Once again Rick had a hunch they’d just been given access to the place where Hannah’s deepest fears resided, and Kendall must have sensed that too. Her eyebrows knit tightly and tension pulled at her jaw. “I’m here for the summer and so are you,” Kendall said.
Rick cringed. Kendall’s words might be the best she could come up with at the moment, but no way would they satisfy Hannah any more than they satisfied him.
Sure enough, the young girl turned and ran for her room. The sound of the door slamming followed soon after. Kendall flinched at the noise before she turned to Rick. “Thank you.”
To hell with distance. He held out his arms and she willingly went into them.
“I’m no good as a parent,” she said, shoulders shaking.
And she shouldn’t have to be. That job rightly belonged to Kendall’s mother and father. But then life rarely doled out what was fair. “Don’t sell yourself short. I think she just doesn’t trust anyone right now.”
“Especially me. She’s angry and I feel so bad that I let her down.”
He smoothed his hand over the back of her hair. “You’ll
