Reunited Hearts. Ruth Herne Logan

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СКАЧАТЬ of pregnancy. On the other hand, considering the way she’d mucked up her life, maybe taking after others was a good thing. “I’ll be back later then. Rocco’s doing afternoon/evening like always and I’m closing.”

      Rocco was the head cook at The Edge, a tough-as-nails, my-way-or-the-highway–type guy. Her mother moved forward, her voice soft. “Is he still giving you a hard time?”

      If by hard time her mother meant was Rocco an overbearing chauvinist jerk, then the answer would be an overwhelming yes. Still the cook knew his stuff and Alyssa couldn’t afford histrionics in the kitchen. Rocco’s fits were renowned and Alyssa didn’t have the time to mollify him like her father would.

      Or the guts, but that was a different story. “Rocco’s Rocco. I just stay out of his way.”

      Guilt stuck in her craw.

      Wasn’t that exactly what she’d tried to do with Vaughn? Mollify things once they’d gone bad and stay out of his way? Self-recriminating memories churned inside her. If she’d stood her ground and left Vaughn when she should have…

      She felt gutless for good reason. Standing her ground didn’t come naturally. She’d been a mouse, quiet and cowering long past the time when she should have made a stand. If she had, things might be different now.

      Shame cut again.

      She’d done everything she could to make sure Jaden didn’t suspect his stepfather’s temper. That meant no crying, no begging, but it was a small price to pay to protect Jaden’s formative years. And Vaughn had changed after Cory’s birth, her sweet, baby face giving him something to work for, to build for until another financial bad turn brought him down shortly after her first birthday.

      She caught her breath, refusing to revisit those months, hindsight clarifying what seemed so muddled then.

      Get out. Save your children.

      If she’d only had the courage to do that sooner…

      But she didn’t and there would always be a gap in her heart, a chasm, a small yawning space that could never quite be filled.

      She’d made up her mind she’d never be fooled again, that she’d never be the object of another man’s anger. Vaughn’s crash put an end to that bout of craziness, but financial ruin brought its own share of troubles.

      She was stronger now. She knew that. Made sure of it.

      And right now Rocco’s finesse in the kitchen was important to the well-being of her family, her father’s health and their restaurant. She wasn’t about to do anything to mess with that, not after a long, tough winter.

      “I’ll be back later. Jaden’s practicing this afternoon.”

      “With Chris and Trent. I remember.”

      Susan’s upthrust brow showed her concern, but she said nothing more. “Bye, Gwammy!”

      “Goodbye, sugarplum. I’ll see you in a little while, okay?”

      “’Kay.”

      Susan sent Alyssa a sideways glance and kept her voice low. “She’s wide awake now.”

      “And then some. The cold and the move must have really tuckered her out.”

      “I’ll say.”

      They’d had to wake Cory up the last several mornings, long after her normal greet-the-sun rising. And her afternoon naps were elongated as well, but Alyssa knew illness and change taxed little ones. Now that they were here and almost settled, Cory would have time to relax, be the preschooler she was meant to be.

      Chapter Seven

      Alyssa dropped off the boxed strudels, double checked the staff to make sure the luncheon shift was well-covered for a gorgeous spring Saturday, then headed down to the village where a castle playground anchored the southwest corner of their town park. She grabbed a water bottle, opened Cory’s door and nodded encouragement as Cory’s little fingers finagled the release tab. When Alyssa reached in to help, Cory shook her head, chin thrust out, brow tight. “I can do it.”

      “Okay.”

      Alyssa drew back, patient. Cory was such an easygoing child that quests for independence were broadly encouraged. Long moments later, a tiny click spelled success. “I did it!”

      “You did, clever girl. Good job.” Alyssa closed the door and motioned toward the playground with her head. “Ready?”

      “Oh, yes.”

      Excitement tremored her tone. In the bright sun, the shadows beneath Cory’s eyes seemed deeper, more pronounced, violet smudges against porcelain skin. But her nose wasn’t running any longer, and the cough had gone from chronic to occasional. Day-by-day she was regaining her normal strength and tone.

      Cory dashed across the crushed gravel, pigtails flying, her eyes on the tall, spiraling castle tower.

      Of course.

      Alyssa moved at a slower pace, watching Cory’s progress until the little girl’s saucy grin peered down from the wooden rail. “Look, Mommy! I’m way up here!”

      “You are. Good job, sugarplum. Now how do you plan to get down?”

      “Over the bwidge.”

      “Ooooo…” Alyssa nodded to show she was impressed. “The very wiggly, rickety bridge?”

      “Yes.”

      “Good luck.”

      “Fank you.”

      Alyssa grinned. Obviously the th sound needed tweaking as well. She watched as Cory tested the wood with one foot, the suspension bridge designed to wiggle and jiggle beneath busy feet. Gripping the handrails, Cory put foot after foot until she swung up into a turret on the opposite end. “I did it!”

      “Wonderful.”

      “Can you play wif me, Mommy?”

      “Sure.” Alyssa set the water bottle down, crawled through a space that obviously wasn’t designed for a woman’s build, and worked her way to the upper level through a series of tunnels. Just before the top, she called Cory’s name, teasing her.

      “Where are you, Mommy?”

      “I’m stuck.”

      Cory giggled.

      “I need help,” Alyssa continued, pumping desperation into her tone.

      Cory giggled again. “I fink you’re kidding me.”

      “Help.” Alyssa stuck a hand up through the tunnel, waving it wildly.

      Cory laughed out loud. “I will help you.” She scampered back across the bridge, grabbed Alyssa’s fingers and pulled. “Come on, Mommy.”

      Alyssa pretended to try. “Not working. I appear СКАЧАТЬ