Page 28 of True Blue

I snort. Too loudly.

Dawn’s smile cracks, but Ellie just cackles.

“Lighten up, Dawn. You’ll give yourself those wrinkles you hate.”

“Mother,” she grits out, though the smile doesn’t move. “Please. Must you act so⁠—”

“Anyway,” Ellie says, sliding her arm through mine and pulling me into the house. “I’m so happy you’re here. Teddy’s outside with his father, but he’ll be in soon.”

“Thank you for having me,” I reply, and Ellie’s smile widens.

I catch a particular look from Dawn over her shoulder, and the intensity of irritation in her green eyes startles me. When she notices me watching, she quickly restores her serene expression.

Unease tightens in my stomach.

“Indie?”

Realizing Ellie is looking at me expectantly, I shift my attention from Dawn, and turn back to her.

“Sorry,” I shake my head. “Long day.”

“Come meet the girls,” Ellie smiles, guiding me into the kitchen.

I look around at the open-concept space: high ceilings, crown molding, shiny new appliances, marble countertops, dark wood cabinets.

And every surface and wall holds some decoration meant to feel warm, but comes across as territorial and kind of backhanded.

Family Over Everything

How blessed are we?

Where Love Never Ends

Mom of a boy: less drama than girls, but harder to keep alive.

There’s this boy. He kind of stole my heart. He calls me Mommy.

The last two make me grimace.

Ellie catches my look and shoots me an amused one, before turning to the others in the kitchen.

“Girls,” she announces cheerfully. “This is Indie!”

“Ah, the famous Dr. Indie,” says a pretty brunette sitting at the kitchen island. She looks to be in her mid-thirties, with brown eyes and a kind smile.

I feel relieved when I see how she’s dressed, jeans and a You Are Now Entering Free Derry sweatshirt. She adjusts the thick-framed black glasses as she smiles at me.

“Don’t you mean The Beautiful Dr. Indie?” Another brunette corrects with a smirk from the sink, where she’s washing vegetables.

She’s wearing a white tank top that shows off the colorful ink up and down her arms. Her nose is pierced, and her long brown hair falls to her shoulders in curls.

I know who they are instantly. Danielle and Stephanie, Teddy’s older sisters. Danielle lives in Ireland with her husband, and Stephanie lives in Arizona after graduating from ASU, where she now teaches.

“It was actually The Beautiful and Brilliant Dr. Indie. The one that Theo can’t shut up about,” Danielle finishes with a laugh.

My cheeks are reaching magma levels of hot, and I’m sure they’re as red as the tomatoes Stephanie is washing right now.

“Hi—it’s Indie, just Indie,” I mutter.