Mom's the Word by Marilynn Griffith Read Free Book Online

was such a goody-goody sometimes. Sure, Dyanne did her share of brown-nosing, too, but only when the object of her attention deserved it. What was the point of him trying to be pals with Rob Simon? They were nothing alike. It was a waste of time. And that was something Dyanne couldn’t afford. “We had a great talk, too. Or at least I hope so. We’re clear, right, Karol?”
    Oh, yeah. They were clear. “Crystal.” The lady of the house didn’t crack a smile.
    Both husbands looked a little embarrassed, but the women seemed comfortable behind the lines they’d drawn in the sand, even if it meant they were losing ground by staying behind them.
    The men shared a short goodbye before the wives turned their backs to one another. Dyanne’s mind was turning in every direction as she stormed down the porch stairs. So much so that she almost missed the older woman walking up Karol’s steps.
    â€œHello,” the lady said. “Who are you?”
    â€œDyanne, the new neighbor,” she answered, taking in the older woman’s appearance. Couture clothes, quality jewelry, but nothing flashy, handcrafted shoes, a great haircut and manicured but natural nails rounded out the lady’s package. She was, as Dyanne’s mother would say, un punto . On point.
    And she seemed very pleased by Dyanne’s news. “How wonderful! I’m so glad someone new has moved in.”
    Dyanne wasn’t sure if the woman should get too happy. The way things had been going lately, she might not be Karol’s neighbor for long. “And you are?”
    The woman shrugged as if there was no way to explain what she was about to say. “I’m Faith, Karol’s…” She paused as if looking for another suitable answer. Evidently she could find none. “Mother. I’m Karol’s mother.”
    Dyanne stared at the woman so long that Neal gave her elbow a nudge. She moved on, but only down the next step on the stairs. Maybe Karol was right. Maybe you really couldn’t control how your children turned out. For a moment, Dyanne allowed the thought to form in her mind, before ruthlessly forcing it away.
    â€œI know,” the woman said. “I know. We’re quite different, Karol and I, but if you get to know her, you’ll find she’s an amazing woman. My daughter just takes great effort to hide that fact. Don’t give up on her.”
    â€œRight,” Dyanne said before finally following Neal, who’d given a friendly bow, introduced himself and proceeded down the stairs. She didn’t mean it, though, what she’d told Karol’s mother about getting to know her neighbor. She had a lot to do and trying to figure out the housewife next door wasn’t high on her list of priorities.
    â€œI think you could have handled that a little better, don’t you?” Neal asked, as their own screen door slapped shut.
    â€œMaybe,” Dyanne said, recounting her conversation with Karol. She’d expected for the woman to fold and retreat as most people did when she called them on the carpet about their behavior. Instead, Karol had insinuated that Dyanne might end up with a disobedient child, too. That wasn’t what she or Neal needed to hear right now.
    â€œI just hope she keeps her word and tells her kids to stay away from here.”
    Neal scratched his head. “That could be a problem. I told Rob the kids were welcome to come over whenever they wanted. During daylight hours, anyway.”
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    â€œShe was sunning herself on the neighbors’ porch. Like some kind of animal. Yes, my thoughts exactly. I’ll have to schedule another flight. Karol must be having some kind of breakdown—I will not quiet down. Someone has to say it. I like the girl next door. Just the thing for Karol. Spunky. No, no need for that. You stay there, Pops. I’ll whip her into shape.”
    Karol didn’t even look up or bother to say what she