see her mom that her face could have split. She kicked her chubby legging
clad legs and fisted both hands in her mom’s long blonde hair. Shannon was
very pretty but looked extremely frazzled and very tired.
“I hope it’s okay. I was talking to your mom about schools. She
mentioned that you were at a parent teacher meeting for Amelia. Sorry, I
really wasn’t trying to be nosy, but Beth said that you’d maybe want to
consider a different school. I had some time , and when your mom had a
meeting, I volunteered to watch Sky. I hope that’s okay. I do know CPR—”
“Thank you,” Shannon said sincerely. “For watching her. I mean it. You
and my mom are life savers. Really.” Her face darkened. “I most definitely
will be looking for a different school after today. Amelia is a great kid and
if her teachers can’t see that—she’s six, for goodness sakes—then I’m not
going to send her there. I can’t, ugh, I can’t even talk about that without
getting steamed up. Of all the nerve to say that a six-year-old is too
imaginative!”
“I have no idea why someone would say that.” Arabella handed over the
diaper bag. She patted the side. “I tucked a folder in there with some
information on some really great schools that I found. I realize you’ll be
going back to work soon, so I made sure the bus routes worked with your
house.”
Shannon’s face melted and tears streaked down her cheeks. “Thank you!”
She stepped forward and suddenly tugged Arabella in for a tight hug. Sky,
who was sandwiched between them, let out a squeal of joy at being so close
to them both. “Thank you so, so much!”
Arabella waved to Sky after Shannon thanked her again and walked out.
Sky actually waved back.
Arabella had never really thought about a family of her own. She’d been
so embroiled in her dad’s drama and looking after her parents and sister for
the past year, and too busy with work and college before that, to even think
about settling down.