Page 10 of Their Stormy Reunion

“No alcohol?” I asked as Maddie set down a gallon of ice cream by the blender, along with chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, strawberry sauce, bananas, and cherries.

“Bella’s coming, so this is going to be a G-rated girl’s day. Each one of us is going to take turns painting her toes, nails, and painting her face, so we can concentrate on you.”

“So who all is going to be here? Trenda, Evie, and the twins?”

“Just, you, me, Trenda and her daughter Bella, and Zoe.”

“What about Evie and Chloe?”

“Chloe is going through some issues, so she can’t make it.” Maddie turned and went to another cupboard and pulled out some marshmallows. I could tell by her voice she didn’t want me to ask questions about Chloe, so I let it drop.

“What about Evie?”

“She’s living in San Diego most of the time with her husband Aiden and their two rugrats. But they have a house here, so she comes and stays at least four times a year.”

“Two homes? I’m impressed.”

“Her hubby is on the same SEAL team as our big brother, but Aiden’s loaded. It’s a long story.”

“Somebody in the military with money, who would have guessed it?” I teased. “It’ll be good to see Zoe and Trenda and meet Trenda’s daughter.”

“Bella’s a trip, you’ll love her. She’s eight, going on twenty-eight.”

We both looked up as we heard footsteps coming up her front porch.

Maddie rushed to the door and opened it.

“Hello!” I heard Trenda call out. “We brought cake.”

“No, Mama, we brought cupcakes.” A little girl’s voice piped up.

I looked up to see Trenda Avery looking as pretty as ever, but then saw a mini version of her holding up a bag of chocolate chips.

“Whoever you are, little girl, you’re my hero!” I cried out.

She started to giggle. “Mama said you were funny. Are you Miss Fallon?”

“I’ll let you call me Fallon, if you give me some chocolate chips,” I bartered.

“I’m Bella,” she said as she skipped toward the kitchen.

“You’re as pretty as your mother, Bella.”

She put the bag of chocolate chips in my hands, then walked around me to give her Aunt Maddie a hug.

“Did you bake the cupcakes, Lovebug?” she asked.

“I iced them! Are we making milkshakes? Mama, there’s ice cream!”

I loved how everything was an exclamation. She took excitement to a whole new level.

“Auntie Maddie, are the ‘Owies’ going to be here?”

Owies?

Trenda must have noticed my expression. “That’s her name for Chloe and Zoe.”

“Nope, just Aunt Zoe. Why don’t you call her and see why she’s late.”