Page 97 of Spurred On

“It took hours to clean blueberry crème from the ceiling.”

Claire grinned. “It was tasty though.”

“You see what I have to put up with?” Lisa asked. “Please say you’ll think about it.”

“Oh do,” Claire urged. “I’m really tired of having Lisa repeat all these stories.”

“Seriously?” Lisa chuckled. “You realize I’ll never stop telling these stories, right? You’ll be some old toothless woman, and I’ll be telling these stories to your grandchildren.”

“You are such a wench.” But Claire’s growl was offered in a teasing note. It was clear these two were great friends and absolutely enjoyed each other’s presence, which was nice, because when Cade and Lisa married, they’d be sisters.

What a lovely thought.

Sidney glanced at Hanna and Claire and Lisa in turn.

They’d be a veritable tribe. What a lovely, lovely thought.

Mom’s head started nodding, and Sidney stood. “Oh my, Mom,” she said. “It’s time for bed. Let’s go brush our teeth.” Always biddable, her mother stood and headed for the stairs.

“Do you need help?” Hanna asked, but Sidney shook her head.

It was time she started handling this by herself.

It was time she devoted herself to family.

And the decision felt good.