Honeysuckle Summer (The Sweet Magnolias #7)(66)

“Is that what happened to Annie?” Mandy asked.

Raylene nodded, her gaze on Carrie. She looked intrigued despite her declaration that she was just fine.

“How old was she?” Mandy asked.

“Just sixteen. She collapsed at a sleepover.”

“Maybe she was just faint from hunger,” Carrie suggested hopefully.

“No. Her heart failed. She nearly died,” Raylene said, determined not to sugarcoat what had happened.

“Then she must not have been very strong to begin with,” Carrie said, looking for some explanation that would separate her from Annie and the path that had nearly led to her death.

“Because over time she’d put her body through hell by not getting the proper nutrients,” Raylene said, refusing to back down from the bleak picture.

“Well, she obviously lived and got better,” Carrie said. “She just had a baby. She must be fine.”

“She got better because she got help,” Raylene said. “But only after it was almost too late. You’re a smart girl, Carrie. You don’t want to wait that long.”

“But I’m not anorexic,” Carrie insisted, her tone belligerent. She glared at Raylene and at Mandy. “I’m not! And if it’s going to be like this every time I come over here, you can forget your stupid job.”

This time when she stood up, she didn’t give either of them a chance to persuade her to stay. She ran from the house.

Mandy heaved a sigh. “I’d better go after her.”

“Maybe she needs a little time alone to think about all this,” Raylene suggested, but Mandy shook her head.

“We made a pact when Mom and Dad died. We stick together, even if one of us says we want to be alone.”

Raylene smiled at the show of unity. “Then, go. If you need anything, give me a call.” She would call Carrie herself later and try to make peace. She hated that the teenager had thrown the job back in her face. She’d been counting on that time to win Carrie’s confidence.

Mandy regarded her worriedly. “You’re not mad that we wanted to know what’s going on with you and Carter, are you?”

“I could never be mad that you care so much about your brother.”

“He’s a really cool guy,” she told Raylene earnestly.

“I know that,” Raylene said.

Mandy hesitated, then asked, “Do you think you’ll marry him? You’d be like our big sister, then.”

“It’s way too soon to even consider something like that,” Raylene told her, but the wistful expression on Mandy’s face got to her. “How about you just consider me a friend. And we’ll stay friends no matter what happens between Carter and me.”

Mandy’s expression brightened. “Really?”

“It’s a promise.”

“Cool,” the teen said, and threw her arms around Raylene for a fierce hug. “Bye.”

“Bye, sweetie.”

Raylene watched from the window as Mandy ran down the street after her sister. With each passing day, it seemed she was getting to be more emotionally entangled with the entire Rollins family, whether she was ready for it or not.





15




Raylene was just putting the pitcher of tea back into the refrigerator, when Walter walked into the kitchen.

“Do you have any idea what you’re doing with those girls?” he asked, his expression filled with concern.

“Being a friend to them,” she responded, unable to keep a defensive note out of her voice. “What’s wrong with that? And, by the way, why were you eavesdropping? My relationship with Carter’s sisters is none of your business.”

“I wasn’t eavesdropping, at least not on purpose. The kids are watching a video. I came to get cookies for them.”

“Cookies will spoil their supper,” Raylene said, mostly just to be contrary because she was annoyed by Walter’s observation. It was two hours till dinner and one cookie each would hardly matter.

Walter merely lifted a brow, picked up two cookies and left the room. Unfortunately, he wasn’t gone long.

“Shouldn’t you stay in there with the kids?” she asked testily. She wasn’t sure she could face another inquisition this afternoon, especially from someone who knew her well enough to see right through her. If even a man as insensitive as Walter recognized that getting entangled in Carrie’s problems posed a risk, maybe she should be thinking twice about it. She just wanted so badly to find a way to prove to Carter—and even to herself—that she could play an important role in his family. Lately that hope was what kept her going.

Unfortunately Walter wasn’t fazed by her attempt to discourage his meddling. “Laurie’s with Tommy and Libby,” he reminded her with exaggerated patience. “They won’t get into any mischief. I’m more concerned about you.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re getting too involved with those girls and their problems. What’s going to happen when things don’t work out with their brother?”

“Why wouldn’t things work out?” she demanded irritably, though it was a question she’d asked herself more than once.

“Because you won’t let them,” Walter said, taking her by surprise with his insight. “I saw you with him at the barbecue. It’s obvious you’re crazy about him, but you were pushing him away, as if you had no right to grab on to any happiness that comes your way.”