Chapter 36

The rest of the week until Christmas passed in a blur. Amy spent much of it with Riley and his girls.

There were errands to run. There was more shopping to do, both in town and beyond. There were videos to rent and watch and a movie to see in Waco. There were friends and neighbors to meet.

Amy wondered what those friends and neighbors thought of Riley

showing up with her, but they were all friendly. They were especially nice when Riley told them that she had served with Brenda. That served as a good, acceptable reason for them to be together without too much overt speculation.

They were seldom alone, she and Riley. There was little time for it with the girls always around. But Amy didn’t mind. There was always time for a few heated kisses when they weren’t looking, or after their bedtime if Amy drove herself home.

She had her own last-minute Christmas things to take care of, too.

Things she could not do around Riley or his girls. But with a few phone calls, a quick trip here and there