Of course she’d come by. Mother’s Day was approaching. The anniversary season had started again. Every year around this time, grief moved differently through all of us.
Amethyst hugged the children fiercely before standing. “Wow,” she said as she looked around. “This house got significantly louder since I was last here.”
CJ pointed at his little sister. “That would be Billie.”
Billie beamed proudly.
Winnie stepped out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a dish towel. Amethyst noticed her immediately.
Most people did.
Especially now that Winnie had settled fully into the household and looked less like an ominous being haunting the property. Today, she was in another long black dress with fitted sleeves despite the warmer weather, her fiery hair braided loosely over one shoulder.
Amethyst blinked once, then twice. “Oh,” she said.
That was an… interesting response.
Winnie smiled politely. “Good morning.”
Amethyst recovered quickly and extended a hand. “You must be Winifred.”
“Please, call me Winnie.”
“I’ve heard a great deal about you from my weekly calls with the kids.”
Winnie’s eyes flicked toward me. That tiny look somehow made my pulse stumble despite the migraine currently drilling into my skull.
“All good things, I hope,” Winnie said.
CJ snorted loudly. “Depends who you ask.”
Bianca elbowed him.
Laughing, Amethyst turned her attention back to Winnie. “I’m sorry, but I just have to ask.”
“About the clothing?” Winnie guessed.
Amethyst’s face lit up. “Thank God, yes. I keep expecting you to announce that the west wing is forbidden.”
I cringed until I saw Winnie give a soft smile. “I’m deeply committed to sun protection.”
“Fair enough.”
“Skin preservation is important,” Winnie continued.
Amethyst tilted her head thoughtfully. “Honestly, with your complexion? Whatever you’re doing is working. I need tohear all about your skin routine. I can never find the right combination for my dry skin.”
Winnie smiled politely, and I tried my best not to think about her complexion and how silky smooth it was under the high neckline and long sleeves. God, I wanted to see that skin again.
The migraine chose that exact moment to stab directly through my left eye. I winced hard enough that both women noticed.
Amethyst frowned. “Oh, Conrad.”
“I’m fine. Really. It’s just a headache.”
“You’re absolutely not fine.”
“Why don’t you at least sit down?” Winnie said.
