She donated to the local food bank and animal shelter. She volunteered and gave money for local causes like when the firefighters or police officers needed a new piece of equipment. She tried to do the best she could always.
As she sat listening to her sister discuss her new house and what her plans were when they all went home, she thought of what it would be like if she decided to buy this house. Would Wayne even sell it to her? She certainly hoped he would but wasn’t ready to tackle that yet.
She really wanted to buy it at the very least so the family could have a place to come together and visit, especially with Miranda moving down here. What would she do for herself, buy another house?
She didn’t know, everything was moving fast and so confusing. Before she blinked, summer would be over, and it would be time for life to get back to its regular drumbeat.
“You know the one thing missing right here?”
“What?”
“A beauty salon. You remember that one we all went to for a spa day, it was a little drive and I thought the prices were very high. I wonder if anyone has ever thought of that?”
Jasmin knew Miranda was hinting, she had to admit she had an excellent idea, though. Something else for her to toss around in her head. She could use a new business venture, but how would that fit in with a baby or child?
There were so many things to think about, too much in fact. “What about the water skiing we were supposed to do the other day?”
"Well, Alyssa and Darby aren't here, they went out for a bit.”
“That’s okay, we could drop them a text and meet up with them later. I want to go, and I think you could use a change of scenery. Pretty soon, kitchen walls and stoves are the only things you are going to see."
“Fine, “
Jasmin hurried off to get ready while Miranda set up the arrangements for them.
12
Miranda
An hour later, both ladies were geared up and ready to enjoy some fun. Both were a little rusty at first, water skiing, but before long, they were having a blast. Each took turns skiing while the other sat in the boat and made videos.
By the time it was over, their hair was a mess, they were soaked from head to toe, and they couldn’t stop giggling and smiling.
“My goodness, Alyssa is going to love this. I forgot how much fun it was.”
"Me too, this was perfect. I was starting to see muffins and cookies at every corner I turned, and while I slept. This was a nice change of pace for me. I want to go again."
“Easy there, M, how about you save some of that energy when Alyssa goes?"
"Your right, of course."
On the way back to the house, Miranda got a text from her sort-of boyfriend, friend Vince. "Well, Vince is going to be in town tonight, so I want to spend some time with him. I know we were supposed to have dinner with Alyssa and Darby, can you take care of that for me. Vince says he will only be in town for two days, until next week when he returns for two weeks.”
“Of course, dear, that is what sisters are for. Go, enjoy yourself, you hardly ever do that. Wear that special perfume you got the other day. It smells so good on you."
Miranda drove back to the house and hurriedly showered and dressed. While she and Vince weren’t really dating, she wasn't sure what they were yet. They were together, but not, it was unusual, to say the least.
However, it was what she had wanted since neither of them was really looking for a relationship. So whenever Vince was in town, they spent time together doing things, having dinner, whatever appealed to them both.
In that time, she had learned that Vince was actually a softly underneath his harsh exterior. She found this much more appealing that what she had actually thought of their old meeting.
Tonight he was cooking her dinner and then they were going to watch a movie. She was more than happy to snuggle up on the couch with a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs and watch a good comedy. The last couple of days had been stressful for her as she was reorganizing the menu and running of the bakery.
Something just wasn’t right there. Miranda needed to find a way to alternate the menu regularly while keeping it simple, light, and fresh.
She was ready shortly after he arrived; when she came out of the bedroom, he sat beside her sister, both smiling and laughing.
“Alright, what gives, what wicked story did she tell you now?”
"Oh, nothing really, something about you being grounded for a month for sneaking out the house one Saturday night. You went to the movies with your girlfriends, and she ratted you out because she felt left out."
"Oh that, yeah, I remember, I got grounded, so when my time was up, I waited until the time was right. Did she tell you how later she ratted her out for sneaking out the bedroom window to go skinny dipping in his parent's pool."
“No, she didn’t.” She could see the raw amusement in his eyes as they held hers.
"Yeah, well, that was the way of it between us. I am not sure who spent more time being grounded, her, or me. She usually got grounded for some pretty bad stuff like sneaking that stray cat Danny into the house and keeping him in her room for days. Mom eventually found out that the cat was using underneath her bed as a litter box."
"Well, she was no lightweight either Vince. I can remember the time she wanted a pocket knife, and our father said no. She was sixteen at the time, and dad said, girls, don't need pocket knives. That was the wrong thing to say to her. She gathered all her money, plus stole mine out of my piggy bank and managed to get enough to buy a pocket knife at the farmer’s market that weekend our grandmother took us.”
"I paid dearly for that too. Not only was I grounded, but I ended up having to do family community service. I had to weed grandmother's garden every weekend and do the dishes and laundry for 3 months, and that was after I turned in the knife."
“Why ever did you want a pocket knife anyway?”
“Just so I could say that I have one. I have always hated the way boys get more freedom because they are boys. It gets under my skin and makes me act out, even back then.”
By the time they had departed, she was starved. Vince told her he had food waiting in the oven for her. His butler had prepared it for them and taken off for the night so they would have privacy to just relax and enjoy the night.
Miranda was relieved by this. She knew the man was rich as sin, but it was hard for her to accept all the people that always seemed to be around him, helping him do his business. It was sometimes exhausting trying to get a word privately unless she made it a point to remind him of what she needed.
The food they shared was incredible, perfectly cooked, and delicious. After Miranda and Vince shared a movie snuggled up on the couch with popcorn. One of her favorite past times it helped her just sit still for more than five minutes and relax.
Wrapped in Vince's arms, she curled deeper into his side. Together, they let the night slip by amidst the television's glow and the buttery smell of popcorn.
13
Wayne
When Jasmin and Wayne got together again, a few days later, Bonnie was with him. They had plans to go for a drive, see some fish and go to the park. Everything was simple, relaxed, and kid-friendly. At first, he thought Jasmin would be disappointed, but she wasn't.