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He heard emotion thicken Regan’s reply. “I’d like that, and that makes you a very special little girl. Do you know why?”
Anna shook her head.
“Because you’ll have two mamas. One in heaven and one here. Most people only have one.”
Colt wondered what he’d done to deserve such grace. It was a perfect response.
The door pull sounded.
He started to rise, but Regan said to him, “You sit. I’ll go. And if it’s someone needing your help, they’ll have to wait until tomorrow. You need rest.”
“Regan?”
“I mean it.”
Amused by her fierceness, he shook his head.
She returned with Colleen Enright, her daughter, Felicity, and Minnie. Hiding his irritation, he stood. “Ladies.”
Colleen gave him the flirty little smile she always had for him. “I saw Minnie at the store. She asked if I’d drive her over to visit, so I said of course.”
Regan replied, “How nice. We’re having dessert. Would you like to join us for cake?”
“We would. Thank you.” And she took a seat. Felicity, dressed in a worn blue smock, sat beside her. Minnie’s attention was focused on Anna, who appeared to be avoiding the eye contact. Before Colt could gently encourage her to greet her great-aunt, Minnie lit into her.
“Anna Lee! Look at me and say hello. I raised you better than that.”
The rebuke tightened Colt’s jaw. Regan looked shocked then her eyes narrowed ominously.
Anna met her eyes. “Hello, Aunt Minnie.”
“That’s better,” Minnie fumed and took a seat.
Voice cool, Regan said, “I’ll get some plates. Anna, would you come help me, please.”
Anna rose.
“Anna!” Minnie barked. “When someone makes a request, you’re to say, ‘Yes, ma’am’ or ‘Yes, sir.’ Have you forgotten everything I taught you?”
“No, ma’am.”
Colleen and her daughter appeared to be enjoying the berating. Colt wasn’t. Regan’s glare showed she wasn’t either.
Regan said gently, “Anna, honey, go on in the kitchen. Take Felicity with you and show her the new stove. I’ll be there in a minute.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Once the girls were gone, Regan walked over to Minnie and said, “Please don’t browbeat Anna that way. We all know manners are important.”
“Then why aren’t you enforcing them? She needs—”
“Stop!” Regan snapped and Minnie jumped in her chair. Colleen’s eyes popped.
“Don’t browbeat her. And if you can’t honor my request, Colleen can take you home.”
“How dare—”
“She’s a child!” Regan pointed out, voice rising. “Not your whipping post!”
