Three Little Words (Fool's Gold #12)(69)

“Hey, munchkin.” Isabel crouched in front of her. “You had a bad night, huh?”

Kelly nodded and leaned against Isabel. “I got sick in my bed.”

Isabel picked up the girl and hugged her. “Poor you.” And Mom, she thought, knowing Maeve would have had to deal with the cleanup.

“Come on,” she told her sister. “Let’s get the other two sorted out. Then I’m taking over.”

Maeve hesitated, then nodded. “I wouldn’t say yes, but with the baby and all, I really need to get some sleep.”

They checked out the other two, both of whom were asleep. Isabel promised to wake Maeve if either stirred, then shooed her sister off to her room and returned to the kitchen with Kelly.

Once her niece had finished her ginger ale and a few crackers, Isabel checked on the laundry. Sheets were piled up, with one wet load sitting in the washer. She pulled clean sheets out of the dryer and tossed them in the basket, then put the wet stuff in the dryer and put in a new load of dirties. After starting everything, she carried the basket back to the kitchen and kept Kelly company while she folded.

Her cell rang and she pulled it out of her pocket. A quick glance at the screen had her smiling.

“Hi, Mom. Where are you?”

“Hong Kong,” her mother said. “It’s loud. I’m buying you and your sister silk blouses.”

“Which will only make us love you more,” Isabel said with a laugh. “I’m with your granddaughter. Want to say hi?”

“Absolutely.”

Isabel pushed the button for the speakerphone and Kelly told her grandmother about the three siblings getting sick. When she went off to watch cartoons, Isabel released the speakerphone.

“Maeve’s sleeping,” she told her mother. “She’s exhausted but didn’t eat whatever the kids did. I’m helping out.”

“I’m glad you’re there,” her mother told her. “I miss you both. How’s the store?”

“Excellent. Those new designer clothes have already sold. They’re bringing in a lot of money.”

Her mother sighed. “And that’s not enough to convince you to stay? You could buy us out over time and...” There was another sigh. “Your father is telling me to stop pushing.”

“I appreciate your faith in me, but you know my plans.”

“I do. And I’ll be quiet now.”

They chatted a few more minutes, then hung up.

Three hours later, Maeve staggered into the family room. She blinked as she looked around. “You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.”

“Why not?” Isabel asked. “You needed it.”

The three kids were stretched out together under a blanket, watching a DVD. They smiled sleepily at their mom but didn’t get up.

“Everyone has had ginger ale, crackers and soup. They’re all tired and are going to watch the movie. Come on. I’ll make you some lunch. You must be starving.”

Maeve followed her into the kitchen. Isabel opened the refrigerator and collected the fixings for a sandwich, but before she could start making it, her sister started to cry.

Isabel rushed to her side. “What’s wrong?” she asked, crouching next to her. “Is it the baby?”

Maeve shook her head, her blond hair swaying with the movement. Tears spilled down her cheeks.

“You cleaned the kitchen and did laundry,” she said, the words slightly muffled.

“Okay,” Isabel said slowly and patted her shoulder. “I’ll get you some water.”

“Thanks.” Maeve wiped her face. “I’m sorry. It’s just I’m so tired, and when Leonard’s gone, I fall apart. He doesn’t travel much, but he had to take a continuing-education class and the one he wanted was only available in person in San Francisco.”

Isabel got a glass and filled it with water, then returned to her sister’s side.

Maeve took it. “Last night was so awful and then you showed up and took care of everything. I really appreciate it.”

“I’m happy to help.” Isabel told herself she needed to spend more time with her sister, to be there when she could.

Maeve wiped her face and took a drink of the water. “I love my life. Really I do. Leonard is the best man in the world and my kids are great, but sometimes I get so envious of you.”

“Of me? Why? I’m a disaster.”

“You’re not. You’re single and don’t have many responsibilities.”

“Or ties. I’m divorced and I don’t even have a cat to keep me company.”

“But you have a career.”

“I work in our parents’ business. That’s not going to put me on the cover of Fortune magazine.”

“No, but your new business will. You have it all.”

“No, you do.”

They stared at each other and started to laugh.

“Better?” Isabel asked gently.

Her sister nodded.

“Good.” Isabel walked over to the counter and put two slices of bread on a plate.

“I talked to Mom earlier,” Maeve told her. “They’re having a great time. She says they should have done this years ago.”

“She’s probably right.”

Maeve sighed. “I hope Leonard and I are like them. Always in love.”