June, Reimagined (67)

“Whatever,” she said curtly. “Just make the girls dinner and go.”



When the girls emerged from the bath, the kitchen was clean and two plates of eggs, rashers, sliced tomato, and toast sat on the counter waiting for them. June had changed into a T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants from Sophie’s drawer, and while the pants were a bit long, the waist was just about right. Even so, June felt like a child in adult clothes.

“I put Ian to bed,” Lennox said as he set the plates on the table.

“May I please have some milk, Lenny?” Sorcha asked.

“I’ll get it,” June said. “Do you want some as well, Innis?”

With a mouth full of food, the six-year-old nodded.

“Are you hungry?” Lennox asked June. “I brought plenty.”

She felt hollow with hunger, but June shook her head. “You can go.”

“Don’t, Lenny,” Sorcha said quickly. “Stay and watch the movie with us.”

“It’s a wee bit late for a movie, don’t you think?” Lennox said.

“You’re right,” June said with a pat on Lennox’s arm. “It is late. Past your bedtime. Better run along home.”

“But June promised,” Innis whined. “And I won the game, so I get to pick.”

Lennox leaned back on the counter, crossing his arms. “Well now . . . I don’t know. A movie sounds quite nice.”

“You better pick a good one,” Sorcha warned. “I don’t want Lenny to leave.”

Innis thought long and hard. “Mary Poppins.”

Lennox threw up his hands. “How did you know Julie Andrews is my favorite actress?”

“We can have popcorn, too!” Innis said. “Right, Lenny?”

Lennox gestured to June. “The lass is in charge, not me.”

If June forced Lennox out, she’d disappoint Innis and Sorcha, even more than she already had. “You can have popcorn,” she conceded. “But you have to brush your teeth before bed.”

June excused herself to check on Ian. By the time she returned with popcorn, Lennox, Innis, and Sorcha were gathered on the couch. The girls huddled into their older cousin like bear cubs, their hair of the same red tint as Hamish’s, their faces favoring Sophie’s softer, rounder features. Like Lennox, both girls were tall. June had no doubt they would tower over her once they hit puberty.

“It’s about to start,” Innis said. “Sit by us, June.”

“That’s OK. Looks a little crowded.”

“There’s plenty of room, Peanut.” Lennox patted the empty space next to him. “I don’t bite . . . except by request.” He winked at her, all sexy and endearing. What kind of game was he playing?

“Tempting,” June deadpanned. “But I’ll sit here.” She plopped into a chair on the other side of the room. Lennox’s teasing made her feel weak and pathetic. How dare he call her a mistake, something to erase, and then entice her with kindness and flirting?

“June?” Innis asked. “Will you watch us again?”

“Please,” Sorcha begged.

The night had exhausted June. Settled into a comfortable seat, she struggled to keep her eyes open. She didn’t have the heart to tell the girls that tonight was almost goodbye. “We’ll see,” she said.

Innis and Sorcha smiled and looked at Lennox. In the morning, June would wonder if she had dreamed of Lennox giving both girls shiny coins just before she fell asleep.



The television was off when June jolted awake. A blanket had been placed over her. She sat up in the chair, alarmed.

Lennox was on the couch. “Don’t worry. I put the girls to bed an hour ago. And I made them brush their teeth, as instructed.”

Embarrassed, June stood. “Look, I know you don’t owe me anything, considering you saved my ass tonight.” She paused and hugged the blanket to her chest, her eyes diverted from Lennox. “But please don’t tell Hamish and Sophie what a terrible job I did. I just wanted to do something nice for them. They’ve been so good to me, and if they know what a disaster tonight was, it’ll ruin it. I know Hamish. He’ll blame himself for wanting a night off instead of actually blaming the person responsible.”

Lennox came to stand in front of June. “Your secret’s safe with me, Peanut.”

June had a hard time taking a full breath with him so near. She stepped back and placed the blanket over the arm of the chair. “Thanks.” She noticed the time, almost eleven. “Go. I’ve got it from here.”

“You didn’t eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Really?” he countered. “When was the last time you ate?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“You need to eat something.”

“Excuse me, but if you haven’t noticed, I’m an adult. I’ll eat when I want to eat.” She was, in truth, famished, but her first priority was getting Lennox to leave.

He walked into the kitchen and started pulling ingredients from the pantry and fridge.

“What are you doing?” June challenged him.

“Making you breakfast.”

“It’s not morning.”

“Well, it’s the only thing I make.”