*****
“Good morning, Miss Tracy,” Sienna said politely.
“Well, hello there, Sienna!” Tracy stood at the kitchen island, peeling potatoes. “Did you sleep well?”
“Yes.” Sienna glanced around. “Where’s Kylie?”
“She’s still asleep. I’m going to go and check on her, though. She’ll probably be awake any minute now.” Tracy met Tierney’s eyes. “Steven went out for a run.”
“I figured as much. What can we do to help you?” At her friend’s amused look, Tierney added, “Sienna likes to help me cook. She does things like stir pancake batter and crack eggs. Don’t you, Punkin?”
“I hardly ever get the hard part in,” Sienna said proudly.
At Tracy’s confused look, Tierney whispered, “The shells.”
Tracy nodded. “I’ll bet you don’t, sweetie. Why don’t I get you some eggs, and you can crack them? I want your mommy and daddy to have a good breakfast before they go out.” Sienna gave a happy nod, and Tracy retrieved a carton of eggs from the refrigerator, then took a bowl from the cupboard. “Tierney, you can chop the onion and peppers for the home fries while I finish the potatoes.”
The sound of Kylie’s faint cries drifted into the kitchen.
“Sounds like somebody’s awake,” Tierney said in a singsong voice.
Tracy was washing her hands at the sink when Keith’s voice called out, “I’ve got her, Tracy.”
She promptly shut off the water and dried her hands.
“That’s so sweet of him,” Tierney said.
“Is it any wonder I love him so much?” Tracy gave a Mona Lisa smile, then grew thoughtful. “I really should apologize to you, Tierney, for not being truthful with you about Keith and me. Just between you and me, we both had an agenda when we got married. His ex-girlfriend found out about us and threatened to go to the media with the whole story about the hit-and-run. Keith hadn’t told her about it, but somehow she found out. Clint—” she referred to her first husband—“was making noises about petitioning for custody, since he’d gotten a steady income and wanted me back, but I wasn’t interested in a reconciliation. Keith never doubted she’d go through with her threat, and he was worried about the effect a scandal would have on the election. I was worried I’d lose my kids. We did the only thing we could to salvage the situation. But one thing I didn’t lie about…I really was in love with him when we got married. It’s just that…he didn’t love me. He cared about me, but he always demonstrated that, even from the very beginning, before we got involved romantically. I believed I could get him to love me.”
Tierney was almost afraid to ask. “He didn’t love you then, but things are different now, right?”
Beaming, Tracy replied, “Yes. It’s everything I ever dreamed of.”
“Then that’s what counts. I can’t say I’m surprised he fell in love with you, Tracy. I’m happy for you both. Not only are you and Keith a perfect couple, but your kids get along so well, like they’ve always been siblings.”
“Josh is a sweet boy. It’s true I wanted to strangle him when he broke Gabe’s leg with that car, but he won me over when he asked to apologize to Gabe. He’s really the one who brought Keith and me together, at least indirectly. From the day he met Gabe and Amber he’s been like a big brother to both of them.”
“And of course now that you and Keith are married he really is their big brother,” Tierney observed.
“That’s right. Amber’s going to miss him next year.”
“I can’t believe he’s graduating already.”
“Did I tell you? He decided to go to Northwestern. He was considering the University of Wisconsin, but Madison is so far away.”
“Isn’t there a college right here in Springfield?”
“Yes, the University of Illinois, but Josh doesn’t want to come down here.” Tracy giggled. “Besides, that’s where I go. I still have a few more credits to go before I get my degree, and I’m sure he doesn’t want to bump into me on campus. I think he wants a little distance between him and the family as well. A little independence is good, since he’s proven he can handle it in the years since the accident. But he’ll be able to get here often if he’s in Chicago, and Keith will see him when he’s up there on state business.”
“I’m glad it all worked out.” Tierney took a moment to instruct Sienna, who was singing as she worked, on how to hold the bowl steady with one hand while beating the eggs with a fork in her other hand.
“Us, too.” Tracy looked at Tierney, a knowing look in her eyes. “I must say, you’re looking very content this morning. Actually, you’re glowing.”
Tierney touched the fingertips of her left hand to her cheek. “Does it show?”
Tracy laughed. “Let me just say, you remind me of Scarlett O’Hara the morning after. I’ll bet you woke up with a song on your lips.” She winked. “I told you a romantic setting was all you’d need.”
“Oh, come now.” Tierney went back to her chopping.
“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Tierney. I think it’s wonderful.”
“Tracy, it’s going to take more than one night of good—” she broke off, remembering Sienna’s presence—“you-know-what to fix what’s broken here.”
“But it’s a start.”
Tierney spoke in a low voice. “I have to confess. I really do feel a renewed sense of hope. I’m thinking it won’t be so bad after all.”
“That’s the ticket.” Tracy placed a palm on Tierney’s shoulder. “You worked so hard, and for so long. It’s time to live a life of leisure, at least for a little while. Who knows, you might find you like it.”