Authors: Sandi Perry
She
got
up
and
shook
her
head,
"I
didn't
just
fall
off
the
turnip
truck,
Alex.
No
one
gives
liquor-laced
brownies
to
children."
"Well,
sure
we
do,
honey,"
Mirabelle
piped
up.
"How
else
do
you
think
we
can
get
them
to
sleep
after
all
the
day's
excitement?"
Allison
stalked
off
in
the
direction
of
the
house,
wondering
what
the
local
number
was
for
child
services.
The
beautiful
azure
sky
of
earlier
was
changing
to
midnight
blue
as
dusk
fell.
A
new
chill
was
in
the
air.
A
set
of
double
French
doors
led
from
the
patio
into
an
expansive
kitchen,
and
Allison
was
grateful
for
the
warmth
as
she
entered.
The
multicolor
slate
tiles,
with
their
vibrant
fiery
tones
lent
an
instant
charm
to
the
massive
room.
The
light
green
wash
over
the
natural
maple
cabinets
lent
an
airy
feel
to
the
banks
of
cabinets
that
would
have
been
overwhelming
in
a
darker
tone.
Scents
of
cinnamon
and
apple
comingled
delectably,
adding
to
the
homey
feel
of
the
space.
She
stopped
dead
as
she
spotted
Horatio
Coventry
and
the
cook
assembling
the
various
desserts
onto
trays.
Alex's
father
looked
up
from
his
task
and
saw
the
surprised
look
on
her
face.
"Didn't
expect
to
see
me
so
domesticated?
You
probably
already
think
I'm
horse-whipped,
and
now
I'm
pulling
KP
duty.
Judging
from
your
expression,
I
take
it
your
father
didn't
spend
much
time
helping
out
in
the
kitchen."
She
was
disoriented
by
his
directness,
as
well
as
the
apron
dotted
with
black
and
white
Dalmatians
that
he
had
tied
around
his
waist.
She
shook
her
head
to
clear
it
and
said,
"My
father
felt
the
kitchen
was
a
woman's
domain."
He
nodded.
"It
relaxes
me.
I
think
everyone
should
be
able
to
do
what
makes
them
feel
good,
regardless
of
gender,
and
I've
always
felt
that
way,
even
before
it
was
fashionable."
"Mr.
Coventry,
I
am
here
to
observe
Alex,
I'm
in
no
position
to
make
judgments
about
anything
or
anyone."
"Alex
holds
you
in
high
regard."
"Thank
you.
You're
not
like
he
made
you
out
to
be."
"That's
true.
I
had
to
push
him
out
from
under
the
cloud
of
his
mother's
perfume.
He
fought
me
all
the
way,
but
now
he
wears
his
independence
proudly.
I
don't
mind
being
the
fall
guy.
There
are
sacrifices
we
all
have
to
make
to
prod
our
children
along."
She
developed
an
instant
fondness
for
this
imposing
business
tycoon
in
his
ridiculous
apron
who
knew
when
to
step
back
and
let
others
shine.
She
was
sorry
Alex
couldn't
see
the
obvious
love
his
father
had
for
him.
Her
own
father's
sudden
death
crept
into
her
mind,
and
she
blinked
back
the
tears.
"I
don't
mean
to
cut
our
conversation
short,
but
can
you
direct
me
to
the
bathroom?"
she
said
to
cover
her
unexpected
wash
of
emotions.
"Third
door
on
your
left,
off
the
back
hall,"
Horatio
said."Oh,
and
don't
be
overly
concerned
about
the
brownies.
They're
my
secret
recipe.
I
only
add
a
tablespoon
of
liquor,
but
the
kids
seem
to
have
fun
with
it."
Before
she
stepped
out
of
the
kitchen,
Allison
turned
around
to
face
him,
"For
what
it's
worth,
I
think
you're
terrific."
She
continued
down
the
hallway
and
passed
by
a
large
room
where
the
clank
of
pool
balls
rang
out.
One
of
Annabelle's
daughters
and
one
of
Mirabelle's
were
playing
pool.
Another
group
of
children
was
at
the
other
end,
gathered
around
a
large
screen
wall-mounted
TV.
One
of
them,
Seth,
she
was
sure,
had
a
plastic
guitar
around
his
neck
and
he
was
following
along
to
the
song
as
the
notes
appeared
on
the
screen.
Taylor,
Sara
Belle's
eight-year
old,
turned
to
see
Allison.
"What
are
they
playing?"
Allison
asked
her.
"You
never
heard
of
Guitar
Hero?"
She
shook
her
head.
"You
don't
have
any
kids?"
Allison
shook
her
head
again.
Taylor's
pigtails
bounced
in
tandem,
like
over-wound
corkscrews.
Allison
was
mesmerized
by
their
playful
movement
and
almost
missed
her
pitying
response.