Page 47 of The Secrets She Keeps

“That is not a Coleson kid,” Alex said. “I thought Brianna was allergic to children? Doesn’t she drain them dry to look youthful or something? Should we intervene?”

The little girl ran to Brianna excitedly. Brianna actually nodded—and zipped the little girl’s coat. Wow. That was almost…nurturing.

Alternate reality, maybe?

“I thought Brianna hated kids,” Powell said. “But it’s obvious she knows her. And wants her to leave. Now.”

As they watched, Brianna said something—to Heather, of course. Something probably really rude. Yes. Heather snarled—so visibly Powell couldseeit. Brianna jumped back like she was terrified. Powell snickered. Brianna was so predictable sometimes.

Heather most definitely wasn’t.

“Maybe we’ll have a knock-down drag out on our front lawn? Maybe Heather will mud wrestle?” Alex said so, so hopefully. “I mean, I am so not blind. That is the hottest woman on theplanetright there.Heather justis.The Colesons voted on that one night while I was there too. Mig and I each get a half vote on most things discussed at Coleson Castle now. It wasalmostunanimous. Heather was not pleased. She was the only dissenting vote in the batch. Zoey was voted in as second-in-absentia. But considering how much they look alike...not exactly all that surprising, is it?”

“You are being a dog,” their mother said from behind them. “And Heather deserves more respect. From both of you. No more taunting her, McKinley Mason McBarratt. Ireadthat last letter you sent, you dork, and I am not pleased with you at all. Where is your compassion? I raised you better.”

“I am being all lawyer-y like your husband,” Mac said. “It’s all Daddy’s fault I am this way.”

“I know exactly who is to blame.” Her mother was not a fool. “Be a good boy with Heather Coleson, or you will havemeto deal with.”

“Yes, ma’am. You are even scarier than Heather,” Mac told her. “I don’t know how you are, but you just are.”

“Do you know that little girl?” Powell asked her mother.

“I do not, but I saw her with Brianna a few days ago too. She may be staying with Brianna, poor child. She has my sympathy. Now, if you three are done spying on the neighbors—why we bought a house right next to the park, I do not know, and am starting to regret, especially after seeing who was next door today—dinner is ready.” Her mother was a busy woman, but at least two nights a week she cooked dinner. And pretty much demanded her babies show up on time. Then she made them clean the kitchen after.

Neither Powell nor her brothers had ever complained. Or dared to decline. Powell couldn’t imagine ever wanting to either.

“You bought a house next to the park because you had four wonderful children you wanted to entertain when we were little, mama,” Mac told her, scooping her close to hug her. “You love us.”

“That I do. But since none of my children have given me grandchildren who can also benefit from that park, I am starting topine.That park is a sharp, sharp jab every time I see those beautiful, beautiful children. Now, dining room. One of you needs to set the table. Get to it.”

Powell impulsively hugged her mother. She loved this. Being able to see her family whenever she wanted, to have nights like this.

The only thing that would make it better was if Brandt was there now too. She took a photo of her mother’s meat loaf and texted it to her twin and told him she hoped he was eating mud for abandoning her to Mac and Alex and everything.

He texted back almost immediately—a photo of egg-free chocolate cake that looked beyond delicious. His little cook hadmade it for him. Hopefully things were going well for him up there. She’d call him later.

Thiswas what she wanted for her baby, she decided. Exactly what she wanted. Her mom was going to be thrilled. Powell couldn’t wait to see her mom’s face in that moment she realized...

“Powell, something is going on with you,” her mother said suddenly as Powell listened to her brothers bickering over setting the table. “It’s time you spilled.”

There were two things bothering her, but she wasn’t talking about her concerns with Cara’s family in front of Mac yet. She just wasn’t. Not until she figured out his battle plan where the Colesons were concerned.

But her dad had just come in. He’d been finishing up with a client phone call in his home office. Now, they were all there, except Brandt. No better time, was there?

“Mom, Daddy, there is something Ireallyneed to tell you,” Powell said. Her stomach growled and she was suddenly starving. Meat loaf sounded phenomenal. Followed by dessert. She had a real craving for chocolate cake. And right there on the counter… “Once…we are eating.”

“Is it bad?” her dad asked, hugging her again. Just like he hadn’t seen her in a few days instead of the two hours it had been. Just like Mac had. Her dad looked like an older version of her three big brothers. She loved them all so much.

Bad? No. Far, far from it. It felt perfectlyright.“Not at all, Daddy. I…am happy. More than words can ever say.”

31

"Why were you playing with them?"Brianna asked. She was trying not to throw a fit or anything. But she’d practically panicked, seeing her sister playing withthosegirls like that. “Do you know who they were?"

"No. How can I? I never met them before. They were fun. I have friends here now." And she was happy. Maybe the kid really had just been bored all week? There weren’t any of her toys around—maybe Brianna still had her own old things upstairs in the attic? Leena could play with those dolls and stuff, if she wanted. Brianna would have to have the housekeeper wipe the dust off first, though. Leena had really bad asthma, sometimes.

"They aren't your friends. You’ve just met them."

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