First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

Leah had been enjoying her normal Saturday late morning routine, sitting in the living room reading when her niece joined her.

“Hey sweetie, why aren’t you outside playing with Allison?”

Emmie shrugged and sat quietly.

“Did you two have a fight?” Leah tried again. This time Emmie nodded. “Want to talk about it?”

“She’s always bossin’ me around. Just ’cause she’s bigger.”

“Sometimes . . .” Leah started, then wasn’t sure what to say.

“Sometimes,” Lily’s sudden presence in the room startled Leah and Emmie. They both looked up as Lily continued to speak, “Sometimes a big sister thinks she knows best. Sometimes when she’s just trying to help, she pushes too hard and makes things worse. The important thing to remember is sisters should love unconditionally and always be there for each other no matter what.”

Emmie looked back and forth between the two adults. Leah knew Lily was talking to her, not about Allison and Emmie. But ultimately, it did apply to both sets of sisters.

“Your mom is right. Allison is always going to be older and may think her way is best. But what’s most important is loving and caring for each other. I bet you’ll make up with each other pretty quick.”

“Emmie?” As if on cue, Allison called out and soon joined them in the living room. “Emmie! There you are! It’s your turn on the swing now. Come back outside!”

Emmie did not look ready to go anywhere with Allison. The girls had a small playfort in the backyard. And it only had one swing. The pieces clicked together for Leah: no wonder Emmie was upset, she loved to swing.

“It’s nice of you to want to give Emmie a turn. How many turns did you have first, Allison?” Lily asked. Her mom-voice was spot on. Leah made a mental note to learn to do that.

“Aw, Mom . . .” Allison whined and looked down at the floor. “Sorry, Emmie. I’ll let you have all the rest of the turns.”

“It’s really hard sharing just one swing,” Emmie conceded. “Can you take us to the park again, Aunt Leah? They have tons of swings. Then we could both swing! Please?”

“Yeah, please?” Allison agreed.

“I could take you,” Lily offered.

The girls looked back and forth but didn’t speak. They looked awkward and it made Leah laugh.

“Sorry, sis. I think they like me better,” Leah teased.

“Well, can I at least come along?”

Allison looked at Emmie. Emmie looked at Leah. Leah shrugged. Having Lily along? She panicked internally. How would she explain Liam and Sky. What if Lily put things together, what if—Leah tried to pull herself together. They might not even be there.

“Of course she can, right girls?” she smiled brightly.

“Can what?” Robert entered the room.

“The girls asked Leah to take them to the park. Again! And when I asked if I could come along, they rather begrudgingly agreed to let me. Apparently, they don’t love their Mom anymore,” she fake-pouted and the girls laughed.

“Mo-om!” Both girls flung their little bodies at Lily.

Leah watched Lily wrap her arms around them. They shared a sweet moment filled with giggles and “I love you’s.”

Leah gave them a few minutes before asking, “So who is going to the park with me?”

“Me! Me!” Both girls were so loud, Lily stepped back from them. She laughed and was going to say something when Robert spoke instead.

“Actually, I came to ask you about the bushes you wanted to get for the backyard.”

“Oh!” Lily was clearly excited.

“I think she just ditched us, girls!” Leah teased, “Aren’t we sad?”

Both girls pretend to cry and moan. It resulted in everyone breaking into laughter. Leah had to wipe tears from her eyes.

Her nieces were the best.

♦

Even with bathroom delays, packing snacks, and driving across town, they still made it to the park earlier than in previous weeks.

Leah wondered if their timing would affect their chances of seeing Sky and Liam. Assuming they would even be at the park today, that is. She pondered why they were there the other times. They did not live in town, so their presence at the park was a bit of a mystery.

She tried to focus on her nieces instead. Allison did not seem to notice her preoccupation. Emmie did though. She watched Leah and also appeared to be on the lookout.

They headed to the swings first. Leah gave each girl a couple pushes then honestly told them it was too hard for her to do right now.

“That’s okay, watch me pump!” Allison cried.

“She’s been practicing. A lot,” Emmie told her.

Leah translated her Emmie’s words to mean Allison had been hogging the swing at home.

“I’m not as good,” Emmie frowned, concentrating on pumping her legs.

“Well, I think you are both doing great!” Leah praised.

The girls beamed and swung higher.

Just then, Leah noticed Sky and Liam walking up the sidewalk. She did not want to admit she had been watching for them, but she had. She had seen the black car again but no black truck. She found it interesting to discover the kids had not been dropped off. Where had they walked from? Leah was more than curious. With the way the park was laid out, they would have to walk right by the swings. So only a few moments later, they were practically face-to-face.

“Hello,” Liam said.

Leah greeted them, as did the girls. Emmie invited Liam to swing and he was quick to join in. Sky stood off to the side, watching. Allison issued a challenge to see who could go the highest and soon all three were swinging for all they were worth.

Unfortunately, Liam wasn’t quite as skilled at pumping his legs as her nieces. But he still looked to be having fun and Leah thought that’s what really mattered.

“He’s still learning,” Sky said defensively.

“Well, he’s younger. He’ll get it. He’s a smart kid.” She hoped her words would soothe the teen’s ruffled feathers. Instead, Sky turned on her.

“How do you know how old my brother is?” she demanded.

Leah thought quickly, trying to come up with an explanation.