She unlocked the door, went into the hallway, and shut her door behind her. “It’s okay, honey. Did you have another bad dream?”
“No. I told you. I heard noises.”
“What kind of noises?”
“Squeaking or something. And some voices.”
“Oh?” How could she have been so stupid as to make love in her bedroom with Meghan in the other room? What had she been thinking?
Right. She knew exactly what she’d been thinking. The next world war wouldn’t have stopped her from sleeping with Jeff. She’d wanted it that much, felt it was that right.
It had been.
“Okay, honey. Let’s have a look around.” She took Meghan’s hand and led her through the house on the ritual that had become habit when Meghan woke. They turned on the lights in each room and checked behind everything to put the younger girl at ease.
“See?” Maria said. “No one’s here except you and me. Let’s get you back to bed.”
“But we didn’t check your room.”
A chill crept up Maria’s neck. Jeff was in her room, probably still naked in her bed. “I was just in there, honey. My room is fine.”
“But we always check all the rooms,” Meghan persisted.
“Honey, come on. I’m so tired.” Maria feigned a yawn. “Let’s just get you back to bed.”
“Please? I’ll never get back to sleep.”
Before Maria could stop her, Meghan turned the doorknob, opened the door to Maria’s room, and walked in.
Maria caught her breath. How would she explain this? Her skin prickled with nerves as she followed her sister into her room.
The bed was mussed. And the window wide open. An autumn breeze drifted into the room. Thank God they lived in a small ranch house.
She took a deep breath and started the ritual. “See? Nothing here either.”
“Why’s your window open? That’s not safe.”
Maria shut it quickly. “I was warm a little earlier. I must have fallen asleep before I remembered to shut it.”
That seemed to appease Meghan.
“Let’s get you back to bed now.”
Thankfully, Meghan didn’t beg to sleep with Maria. She couldn’t bear the thought of lying in her bed, remembering her wonderful time with Jeff…with her little sister next to her. She tucked Meghan back into bed, gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and went back to her room.
She closed her bedroom door, inhaled deeply, and sat down on the bed. It was still warm. She smiled. She would never forget this night.
A tap on the window startled her.
She jumped up to see Jeff’s nose pressed against the window. She quickly opened it.
“What’d you shut it for?” he asked.
“Sorry. I didn’t know you were coming back.”
“I wouldn’t leave you without saying good-bye.” He climbed in the window.
“Shh.” She smiled. Of course he wouldn’t leave her. She wished he could stay with her and hold her all night, but that was impossible.