บททั้งหมดของ The Harper Twins: บทที่ 151 - บทที่ 160

"Hi, Abigail," Bonnie said, almost as nervous as Abby, her voice shaky. Aimee was glad to see the facade of bravado crack, even if only a little. "It's good to see you. I've missed you.""Uh huh," Abigail said, her eyes darting back to the swing set and other kids. She turned back to her father. "Can I go back and play now? Please?""But don't you want to spend time talking to your mommy," Bonnie said, still standing there with her arms crossed. Aimee watched her drop them to her sides, then shove them in her pockets, before settling back on the crossed-arm position. "I haven't seen you in a long time. Wouldn't it be nice to catch up?"Abigail swayed some more, shrugging her shoulders, giving Bonnie a wary look, before turning her gaze longingly toward the playground and the playing kids. "Can I go, Daddy? I want to play."Clint patted her on the back. "Okay, sweetie. Go play.""Yay!" And Abby was off like a shot, racing, her little arms pumping as she met back up with the other kids i

"The plumber is scheduled for tomorrow," Ben said, glancing down at his notes. "I've told John not to install the drywall in there until the guy finishes up. I'm not paying for patch jobs."Clint nodded, as he crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back on his truck. "Smart. It's not like we're in a rush or anything. And hanging drywall in that bathroom will take less than an hour at most." He stared off at the shrubs that lined the long drive as two squirrels chased each other among the branches, leaping and chittering in a lovers' game of conquest. He only half listened to what Ben said, as the other man went down their to-do list for the next few days, Clint's mind still on the meeting with Bonnie at the park last night. He was glad Aimee was there after all. Bonnie was unbelievable, and it was Aimee who helped the situation before Clint grew too frustrated with the woman to remain calm. How could a mother not know how to be with her own daughter? He knew it would be tough at firs

Bonnie stood in the doorway, one hand clutching tight to her purse strap as she did her best to look casual and non-threatening to little Abby. The facade was wasted effort. With a cold exterior, she towered over Abby's tiny body, stiff in all her movements. "I thought we could get some lunch, and then maybe go back to that park we went to the other day." Bonnie was focused on Abby, a plastic smile on the woman's face as she attempted to coax the little girl—her daughter, but no less a stranger—to take her hand without cringing. Clint wasn't sure who looked more nervous, Bonnie or Abby."I think that sounds like a lot of fun," he said, kneeling down next to Abby, his hand resting on her back. His smile was genuine and, he hoped, reassuring to his little one. "The park twice in one week? Someone must have been a good girl to deserve that." He tousled her hair. "How about it? Do you want to go to the park with your mother?"Abby stood there, her hands clasped as she stared without seeing

Karla's smirk still reverberated in Aimee's mind, no matter how much she tried to push it out. Of course, Aimee couldn't blame her sister. It's not like Aimee had ever been caught with her pants down before. Or someone's fingers in her…Aimee closed her eyes against the passing scenery, trying again to push the image of Karla walking in on her and Clint out of her mind. She felt him take her hand giving it a slight squeeze. "You doing okay?" He asked, shooting his gaze between her and the road ahead.She smiled, giving him a soft nod. "Yeah, just thinking how that scene back there was a reversal of roles. You don't know how many times I've walked in on Karla with her hand in some guy's pants or his in hers. Back there, that was the first time she's ever even seen me with a guy." She laughed giving a shake of her head as she turned her attention back out the windshield. "I'm going to hear her quips for a while, I'm sure."He squeezed her hand one more time and then settled it on the c

"Does Abby remember her?" Ben handed Clint one end of a tape measure and then walked to the other side of the room. "I mean, I don't have kids, but I would imagine young minds forget quickly. My brother's son can't even seem to remember to go to the bathroom."Clint chuckled as he marked off the spot on the wall for the next electrical outlet. He stood, once he was finished, and slipped his pencil back into his tool belt as he released the tape measure. "She says she does, although she doesn't remember any of the specifics. Just that Bonnie was gone and now she's back." He shrugged as he pulled his utility knife from his belt and started cutting into the drywall. "I guess that's a good thing in a way. At least, there aren't horrible memories for her to remember." By the time Bonnie arrived back at his place to drop Abby off, things seemed to have settled down between her and Abby. Or, at least, Abby was giggling when she was dropped off, pumped up on sugar and other kids at the park.