“But we were thinking about setting up a community daycare.” Ari Benedict looked around the room. “There are nineteen babies right here, right now. And we thought, if we all pitched in, we could organize something…. not so much to give us a break, but we’re all family. And we all want our children to grow up knowing that. We want our children to have no doubt at all that they are loved, that they belong, and that this town has their backs.”
Nothing gave Kate quite the lift as when one of her loved ones showed such…evolution. When she compared the mistrustful and angry young woman Ari had been when she’d first stepped into town with the confident, loving woman before her now…. Why, it was all she could do not to cry happy tears right then and there! Considering Ari’s early teen years that had begun with a sexual assault by her new stepfather and ended with her living on the streets as a teen alone, family and security were very high priorities for this particular granddaughter. And she had come a long, long way.
“That sounds like a lovely idea,” Kate said. “And yes, there are great benefits for children who learn to socialize at an early age and in a safe environment.”
Kate recalled a conversation she’d had with a friend just last week, a single mother of three who’d moved to Lusty in the aftermath of her soldier-husband’s death several years ago. Jolene Langley was as much a part of Lusty as anyone born there. And what Jolene wanted more than anything was for her daughter to come home from college and find a job close by. Kate knew exactly what to do.
“All we need to do is find a place to have this daycare,” Laci said. “And we thought you might have some ideas.”
“I do indeed. Not only do I have a couple of ideas where we can house the daycare, but I happen to know someone who’s returning home to Lusty this very week after completing her courses in Austin. A young woman many of you know, who now holds a degree in early childhood education.”
“Danielle Langley!” Shar grinned. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of her!”
“Let’s all put our heads together and see what we can come up with, then. The Town Trust will, of course, fund this project. And with all of you pitching in, we should be able to make a very nice, safe, and happy place for our babies to grow and thrive.”
“On behalf of the dads,” Jesse said, “we’ll want to be pitching in, too.” The sound of male assent rolled through the room.
“And that,” Grandma Kate said, “will just make everything perfect!”
* * * *
“All settled into your house, sweetheart? I know I’ve said it, but it bears repeating. We’re all so delighted you’re here.”
Mary Kendall, sister to Norm Kendall, sister-in-law to Jacqui and recent new resident of Lusty, Texas, looked over at Grandma Kate. It was a real mystery to her how the nonagenarian could continue to look so young and have so much energy.
The last of the nineteen little ankle biters and their families that had been invited to tea had left just a few minutes earlier, and Mary was seriously considering heading to her small house for a nap. She’d never been around kids very much. Just enough to have formed the hypothesis that babies and toddlers sucked the energy from any adults in the room. She really felt as if she’d been sucked nearly dry.
Of course, attending that dance the night before, the taut and teasing lip-locks with those two studyly cops and the resulting night of little sleep as she tried to argue herself out of wanting those men didn’t help.
For the umpteenth time that morning she consigned Anthony Corbett and Toby Kendall to the deep, dark corners of her mind. Be gone you…delectable temptations.
She’d hoped to spend a day immersed in a world of her own creation. But her sister-in-law, Jacqui, had invited her to join her for tea at the Big House, and she couldn’t say no to Jacqui. That woman appeared small, but the changes she’d wrought in her two favorite male New York Kendalls—brother Norm and cousin Will—had been truly miraculous.
Mary brought her focus back to her hostess, who had asked her to remain behind for a few minutes so they could visit. Here’s someone else I can never say no to. Kate Benedict looked as fresh as a woman just risen from a good night’s sleep. Wonder if I can solve that mystery? Mary mentally sighed and pushed the thought away.
That wasn’t the sort of mystery she excelled at, in any event.
“Yes, ma’am. The house Aunt Samantha got for me is perfect. It’s like a dollhouse, actually. I’ve walked all around this town. and I haven’t seen another one quite like it.”
“That is a unique house in Lusty. It was originally built for Sara Benedict, my sister-in-law. Sara never married, and during the Second World War, she moved to Washington, D.C. and worked at the War Department—later called the Department of the Army. She retired and came home to Lusty and spent the remainder of her days writing and gardening and devoting herself to being everyone’s favorite aunt. Sometime after she passed, a family of Parkers moved into that house, until they eventually left Lusty. The most recent occupant to call your house home was Carol Ashwood, now Carol Jessop.”
Mary felt her eyes widen. “She’s married to Warren and Edward—and is about to have her first baby!”
Grandma Kate laughed. “It’s all right, sweetheart. That particular condition is not contagious. You’re safe.”
Mary felt her cheeks heat. “I didn’t think anyone noticed I was…um…not exactly in my milieu earlier, with all those babies here.”
Grandma Kate leaned in closer. “I don’t think anyone else noticed that little thing.”
From where she was sitting in the great room
