“What do you mean?”
“Men who think because I’m an attractive woman, I couldn’t possibly have a brain in my head. It’s insulting, but it’s their problem, not mine. All I have to do is look at the way they do business to know I’m smarter than them.” She patted the couch. “Come here you little sweetie.”
Skip jumped up and wallowed in her baby talk and ear-scratching.
“I’m keeping your dog.”
“No, you are not.” How lucky she was. Her sister loved her little guy and was always available to babysit. “Get your own.”
“Never mind, I’ll just borrow him once in a while.”
“Char, did you leave my house because you thought it might be Dwayne’s wife calling and driving past?” She wondered whether or not to tell Dwayne about it.
“I don’t know, but you said they had a blue car. I’m more comfortable in my own place anyway.”
“Dwayne asked me to go to his mother’s Wyoming ranch in August. He’s planning to spend a few weeks there when he finishes his new job, and then bring Amber home.”
Char’s eyes widened. “Weeks? Are you going?”
“I told him I couldn’t possibly be gone that long. He suggested I drive up with him and fly home after a week. He’s got a lot of work to do up there, repairing fences and the barn roof. But it would be nice to spend some time with Amber and Kathleen. Did you know Miss Emmaline is there?”
“Yes, Donovan told me. He’ll visit his mom when he gets liberty later this summer. He wants me to come with him. I’ll go and stay as long as he wants me to.”
“What about your job?”
“I’ll tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone, including Dwayne. Do you swear?”
“Have I ever told one of your secrets?” She put a mock expression of insult on her face and stared at Charlene.
“No, but this the biggest secret I’ve ever told you. Do you swear?”
She pinched her lips, rolled her eyes, and crossed her heart. “I swear.”
“Donovan and I are engaged.”
Marla sucked in a startled breath. “When did that happen? When are you getting married? Why is it a secret?”
Charlene hugged herself, sheer joy on her face. “He proposed when we were in Coronado. We decided not to say anything until he makes up his mind about reenlisting, whether to make the Marines his career. We’ll set a date after that decision.”
“Oh, Char. That’s wonderful, but it’s awful. He’ll be gone so much and in danger. How will you stand it?” The thought of Dwayne being sent to some foreign land where he might get killed made her sick to her stomach.
“He’s applying for a stateside job. If he can get the drill instructor assignment he wants, we’ll move to Oahu. He’ll be stationed at the Marine Corps base at Kaneohe.”
A sudden sense of loss engulfed Marla. She and her sister had never lived more than ten miles apart all their lives. Tears sprang into her eyes.
“Sorry.” She waved her hands. “I want to be happy for you, and I am, but Hawaii is so far away. I never thought we’d live so far from each other. Mom and Dad will be devastated.”
“Oh, they will not. They still have you and the boys, and that’s what life is all about isn’t it? Leaving home, moving on?”
“Yes, but…”
“We plan to have lots of kids. Sil and Dadley will love being grandparents. Donovan wants a big family, like Dylan and Grace.” She stared at Marla. “Say something.”
Instead of a verbal reply, Marla went to the couch, sat next to her sister, and hugged her. “All I want is for you to be happy, no matter where you live.” She leaned back and smiled. “You’re my favorite sister after all.”
They changed into their pajamas and sat at the kitchen table to eat ice cream, just like they used to after their parents went to bed.
Charlene said, “You haven’t told me whether or not you liked my thoughtful role-playing gifts.”
“Dwayne did.” Warmth at the memory of last night’s hotel stay spread through her body.
“Yes, and?”
She blushed. “At first I wouldn’t put on the maid’s uniform, but before the night was over, Dwayne forced me to.”
Charlene’s spoon stopped halfway to her mouth. “He forced you?”
“What could I do? He was my employer. I was a lowly maid who couldn’t afford to lose her job.”
“I can’t wait to hear the details.” She leaned forward, elbows on the table and goggled. “Tell me, tell me.”
“I’m not telling you any details, Char, but I will say you got your money’s worth. For both outfits. However, the only one that survived the night was the leopard print silk slip.”
Charlene shrieked, put her hands over her mouth, and rocked back in her chair. “I knew it. I knew it.”
“You knew what?”
“I knew there was a part of you, you didn’t even know about. I’m unashamedly proud of myself.”
Marla laughed. “And how did you know that?”
“I was there when you were born, remember?”
“What? You were only ten minutes old.”
“I’ve always had super instincts. Don’t question me. Was I right or not?”
She flipped a spoonful of ice cream at Charlene. It hit her on the forehead.
“Oh, you want to play that game?”
“Uh, no, I don’t know what came over me.” Her response was too late. Charlene plopped a handful of peanut butter and chocolate on top of her head. And rubbed it in.
Things went downhill from there.
Except for Skipper. He had a great time running between and around the table legs licking up what landed on the floor.
“Stop!” Marla covered her head with her sticky chocolaty hands. “Look at us! I have to take a shower, and Skip needs a bath. I don’t have any other pajamas. Mercy, Char!”
“Not before you admit I’m just as smart as you are.”
Marla peeked between her fingers. Charlene was poised to smack her with another dripping gob of ice cream.
“All right. You’re just as smart as me. You’re smarter. Please stop.”
“You started it.”
“I did, didn’t
