The girls exclaimed over her pretty dress. Claire reached for Jenny, but Frannie dumped the baby in Santa’s arms. “Let’s get a picture of her,” Frannie said nudging Claire out of the way as one of the girls held up a Brownie camera. “Paul, turn her this way,” she said. “Say cheese!”The girl, a blonde with a bouncing ponytail and cat-eye glasses grinned at Claire. “She’s a real doll.”
Claire grabbed Jenny back from the Santa with a jerk. “Don’t ever do that again,” Claire said to Frannie, fury in her voice. Frannie’s eyes widened.
Bridget looked at her sister with a furrowed brow. “Claire, are you—”
“I’m fine,” Claire answered.
“Okey dokey, if you say so.” Frannie punched Santa’s shoulder. “We have to get ready for our number.”
“Wait, Frannie.” Bridget stopped her little sister. She had to get it through Frannie’s thick skull that she was coming home with them. Today. “We need to talk.”
“No time, sis!” Frannie pushed past her and was gone.
Claire pressed her lips together and Jenny started to fuss. “We might as well sit down and I can feed her.” Claire led them to some empty chairs in front of the stage.
“Let me help,” Bridget said as Claire opened the diaper bag and took out a bottle. Claire ignored her. Bridget felt the beginnings of a headache. Could this day get any worse?
“Reilly, I thought that was you.”
Bridget recognized the voice and a flush crept up her neck.Please, no.
Dr. Sampson sat down in the empty chair beside her. He was dressed in shorts and a glaringly bright short-sleeved shirt, looking every bit the Californian with his tanned legs and sockless loafers. Bridget managed a tight smile, reminding herself he was a doctor even if he didn’t look like one. She introduced him to Claire.
Claire said a distracted hello and concentrated on Jenny. Thank goodness the talent show started and Bridget didn’t have to talk to her furious sister on one side, or the annoying doctor on the other.
They watched two boys act out a skit, dressed like park rangers. Everybody laughed, including Dr. Sampson, but Bridget didn’t hear a word, replaying the terrible conversation with Claire in her mind. If only she could apologize and start over. She snuck a glance at Claire. Her sister’s posture was stiff and her face tight.
Frannie was next on stage in her elf costume and sang a surprisingly good rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock,” with the Santa in glasses accompanying her on the piano. Frannie ended up with third prize in the talent show and breezed back to Bridget and Claire after the final bows. Bridget was forced to introduce her to Dr. Sampson or appear rude.
“Wowsa,” Frannie said, looking from his golden hair to his loafers. “You’re a doctor? I’m feeling a bit feverish.”
“Frannie Marie Reilly.” Bridget was mortified. This was the absolute last straw. “Get your things. You’re coming home with us. And don’t put up a fuss.”
“Whoa, sister,” Frannie said, not at all concerned. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Claire needs you to help with the baby.” Bridget looked to Claire for confirmation. “Tell her.”
“I don’t need any help,” Claire said, putting Jenny up to her shoulder. “And working as a savage will be good for Frannie.”
“See?” Frannie stuck her tongue out at Bridget like she was a five-year-old.
Bridget could feel her blood pressure rising. Why did both of her sisters have to be so stubborn? And why did she have to have this conversation with Dr. Sampson looking on? “Claire,” she said, lowering her voice, “with Red gone, you’re all alone in the middle of nowhere—”
“What?” Frannie interrupted. “Why is Red gone?”
Claire glared at Bridget.
“Holy moly,” Frannie said when no one answered her. “First Bridget’s sneaking around and renting an apartment in Rochester, now something’s hinky with you and Red. The Reilly sisters have as much drama asGuiding Light.”
Claire frowned at Bridget. “Rochester?”
“How do you even know about that?” Bridget narrowed her eyes at Frannie. “Were you snooping in my room?”
Frannie shrugged. “I didn’t tell Dad, if that’s what’s worrying you.”
“You’re moving out?” Claire asked.
Bridget glanced at Dr. Sampson. He didn’t even pretend he wasn’tlistening in on their private conversation. “I don’t even know if I have the job yet.”
