“In time, I think Sierra will want that, too. But getting there may take some time.”
“I understand.” She gave him a halfhearted smile. She hadn’t accomplished what she’d come here to do, but maybe this was better. Mason would tell Sierra the details of their conversation. Maybe coming from him, she’d hear what Heather wanted her to know. Maybe she’d think about it. Sierra wasn’t mean or vindictive. She’d come around eventually.
I hope.
“Please tell Sierra I’m not giving up, but I will give her some space.”
“I’ll tell her.”
Heather nodded her good-bye and walked down the porch steps to her car. She’d pick up Hallee from the sitter and spend the rest of the day with her. She needed Hallee’s sweet smile and unconditional love to see her through this dark time.
She’d been alone a long time, but she’d never felt this lonely. Her whole family would rally around Sierra. Her mom had already let her have it. Amy probably wouldn’t waste any time saying her piece.
Heather had made herself the outcast in the family. She deserved their scorn.
She hoped to earn their forgiveness.
She loved her family and needed their support. Especially now.
Which meant she needed to show them she took responsibility for her actions.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sierra stood in Amy’s kitchen wondering if her sister had been swapped with an alien.
Rex stood at the sink filling the dishwasher. Amy didn’t make a single comment, issue a demand he do it differently, or take over the task because no one could do anything like her. Rex appeared completely at ease. In fact, the atmosphere in the house felt different. The kids calmly sat at the island. Danny and Oliver worked on a chore chart. Amy stood between P.J.’s and Emma’s chairs looking at a brand-new activities calendar they were filling in.
“P.J., you’re green.” Amy handed him a green marker. “Emma, you’re dark pink.”
Emma took her pen. “I only have two things each week.”
Amy pointed to the calendar. “Fill in your activities. We’ll use purple for the things you and your brother do together.”
“Dad is blue, right?” P.J. rolled the marker across the counter to his dad, who stood drying his hands with a towel.
Rex stopped the pen from rolling off the counter with a flat hand and caught Amy’s eye. “All set?” He glanced toward the open dishwasher.
Amy checked it out and nodded. “Thank you. Would you mind running it?”
“Sure.” Rex turned and took a detergent cube from a tub under the sink, dropped it in the dispenser, slid the lid closed, pushed the dishwasher door up, hit the start button, and turned back to help with the calendar.
The kids finished their part. P.J. had soccer Tuesday and Thursday with a game on Saturday. Emma had dance class on Monday and Wednesday. They both had art class together on Thursday before P.J.’s soccer practice and swim class on Saturday morning before P.J.’s soccer game.
“No more music classes?” The calendar looked far less cluttered with events than the original one still up on the wall.
Amy put a hand on both of her kids’ shoulders. “They chose the activities they like the most. We’re cutting back so we have more time at home.” Amy took the teal-colored pen and wrote Family Time on every Sunday of the calendar, then looked up at Rex. They shared a smile and Rex gave Amy a nod of approval.
Sierra’s heart soared that Amy and Rex not only had talked out their problems but were working to make each other happy by making changes in their relationship.
Amy used the same color to write Date Night on every Thursday. This time when she and Rex shared a knowing look, her sister’s cheeks pinked.
Aw. Sweet.
They needed more time together.
She and Mason should talk about their schedules and how they were going to work out date night and taking care of the boys. It would be nice to have help getting them to their activities or simply having Mason there with her to cheer them on at soccer or whatever they chose to do in the future.
Danny had already asked about baseball. She needed to get on that and sign him up. Mason used to play in high school. He could coach Danny at home.
And that thought solidified her decision to speak to the boys about moving in with Mason soon. He’d be such a great father and role model for Danny and Oliver.
Rex stepped around the counter and touched Amy’s shoulder, that closeness they used to share back on full display. “Hey, babe, why don’t you let me finish this with the kids. When we’re done, I promised them a kickball game in the front yard. You and Sierra can sit out back and catch up.”
Code for Go ahead and talk about Heather and the affair.
Amy gave Rex a quick kiss, ruffled her kids’ hair, and went to the fridge. She pulled out an open bottle of white wine and selected two glasses from the cupboard. “Come on, sis, let’s talk.”
Sierra went to the boys and gave them each a kiss on the head.
Oliver held up his chore chart. “Aunt Amy says I should get fifty cents for each chore, but I should ask for seventy-five and negotiate. I don’t know what that means, but I want an allow ants.”
Sierra sent her sister a disgruntled frown and glare.
Amy stuck her tongue out at her. “Hold out for the seventy-five cents, kiddo. Mommy can afford it with her awesome job. I bet if you ask Mason for chores at the ranch, he’d pay you a dollar.”
Sierra scoffed. “Amy! Really?”
Amy winked at Danny and Oliver and headed out the back door.
Sierra stared at both the boys. “We’ll discuss allowances later. Be good. Have fun with Uncle Rex.”
Rex finished tearing down the old calendar and replaced it with the new one, a satisfied smile on his face when he studied it. “That’s more like it.”
She bet he appreciated that he had a spot on the calendar now and so did Date Night and Family Time.
“Who’s up for kickball?”
All the kids scrambled off their stools and headed for the front door.
Rex caught her arm. “Hey, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I had no idea about David and Heather. It sucks. I hope you’re okay.”
She put her hand over his. “Thank you. I will be.”
Rex gave her a half smile and headed out after the kids.
Sierra walked out to the back to find her sister, knowing what she’d just said to Rex would be true one day.
She would be okay. She just needed time to let the feelings come, to reevaluate her life and what happened, and put it into perspective.
One day it wouldn’t hurt this much.
There’d come a time when the anger didn’t rush in and consume her.
One day it would be a memory that didn’t sting so sharply.
Her happiness would overshadow the pain and betrayal.
“So I spoke to Mom this morning after she went to see Heather. We hate Heather, right?” Amy held up a glass of wine from her Adirondack chair in the garden.
Sierra took the glass, fell into the other chair, stared at the beautiful flowers, focusing on the pretty pink roses, and sighed. “I don’t want to hate David or Heather, but they make it damn hard not to.”
Amy clinked her glass to Sierra’s. “Bastard. Bitch. What the fuck were they thinking?”