Practice Makes Perfect by Kathryn Shay Read Free Book Online Page B

said happily.
    Ian stared past her shoulder at the attractive glass, stone and wood house she’d bought two years ago. The fenced-in backyard was barely visible from the road. “Sounds great.” He glanced down at his clothes. Paige followed the direction of his eyes, noting the white shorts he wore. “It’s too hot for tennis,” he said.
    “Tennis?” Paige asked. She tried to think of who on the hill had courts. A couple of eligible beauty queens. Just Ian’s type. “Well, we’ll think of you when we’re playing Marco Polo.”
    “Hmm. Think of me. I like that.” His gaze focused on Meli. “Nice to meet you, Meli.”
    “See ya,” she said, tugging at Paige’s hand.
    “Go around the front of my car.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “There’s no traffic now.”
    Meli pulled Paige around the hood. She felt as if she was on display, but quickly followed the child to the other side. A horn beeped as Ian roared off to his tennis date.
    They had just reached the edge of the lawn when Darcy met them. “Melanie Anne O’Malley! What did I tell you about bothering people?” Darcy’s petite frame, freckles and red hair down to her waist didn’t detract from the sternness of her voice.
    “I didn’t bother Dr. Kendrick, Mama, honest.”
    Raising green eyes full of apology to Paige, Darcy shook her head. “I’m sorry. Just what you need is more kids after putting in a whole day with them.”
    “Don’t apologize. I came over to ask you and Claire to join Mel and me in the pool. It’s hotter than blazes.”
Too hot for tennis
.
    “Paige, really—”
    “Darce, I’d love the company.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “When have you known me to say something I don’t mean?”
    Darcy grinned, and Paige was reminded of the imp who’d lived at Serenity House with her. Very different from the respectable director of TenderTime Day Care and a member of the Hyde Point Small Business Association who stood in front of Paige now. Even Darcy’s clothes—knee-length khaki shorts and a tailored white blouse—were a far cry from the old Darcy’s penchant for bright colors and funky jewelry.
    Memories of Serenity House made Paige nostalgic. Darcy was the closest thing to a friend Paige had. “Please come. I want you to.”
    Darcy studied her a moment. “All right.” She glanced back at the house. “Thank you. Claire would like it, too. I’ll be right over.” She looked to Meli. “Come on, honey, let’s get your suit.”
    The little girl pulled up her T-shirt, revealing a zebra-print suit. “Got it on already.”
    Again, Darcy shook her head, Paige laughed, and suddenly the night seemed a lot brighter.
    A half hour later—the sun was dipping well into the horizon now—she and Darcy were sharing lemonade at one of her outdoor tables, watching Meli try to convince Claire to dunk her head underwater. Though Claire was four years older than Meli, she was much more timid. “I worry about Claire’s cautiousness,” Darcy said.
    “We talked about this, Darce. She’s just not as willing to jump into things the way you and Mel are. Nothing wrong with that.”
    “I know. But she misses her daddy something fierce. I think because she was older, his leaving hit her harder. That’s part of why she’s so withdrawn.”
    “I agree.” The girl lacked trust because of a man who’d simply abandoned his wife and daughters three years ago and hadn’t been heard from since. Paige and Darcy both knew all about parental abandonment. “She’s getting better. Look.”
    The women watched as Claire held her nose and put her head underwater. Her long red hair—just like her mom’s and sister’s—fanned out on the surface of the water. When she came up for air, both girls giggled.
    “So,” Darcy said, “what do you think of Nora and Dan’s news?”
    “I think it’s great.” Paige chuckled. “Remember how their unfulfilled love seemed so romantic, just like Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester?”
    Darcy