Chapter 16

“Mija,” Pilar’s brows knit in confusion. “How do you know Miss Sheridan?” Sheridan’s blue eyes sparkled brightly. “Ivy introduced us.” Ivy worried her lip between her teeth. Here goes the house of cards! “You know Ivy, too, Haley?” Pilar quizzed. Brown eyes darting back and forth between the two guilty culprits. Haley’s cheeks flushed, and Ivy was well on her way to chewing a hole in that bottom lip of hers. Sheridan tilted her head. Studying Haley thoughtfully. Come to think of it…she DID seem familiar to her. Maybe it was the confident, easy way she carried herself. Or maybe it was…something else. She couldn’t pinpoint it. “I didn’t know you knew Pilar, Haley,” she said. Tucking Haley’s brown hair behind her ear. Pilar crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot against the hardwood floor. “You could say that.” Haley gulped. Boy. Grandma was set on a low simmer. She just hoped she made it out of Sheridan’s cottage, true identity unrevealed, before she reached a fever-pitched boil.

“Really?” Sheridan smiled. “How long have you known her? I’ve only known her for a few days, but I love her like my own daughter.” Haley’s mega-watt beam blinded Pilar, and despite the anger she felt at being lied to, she couldn’t help but soften. Sighing as she crossed the room to take a seat across from the pair. Ivy released a tentative sigh of relief. But she crossed her fingers in her lap as she settled beside Haley. “I’ve known her her whole life,” Pilar murmured. Her brown eyes melting at the adoring expression on her granddaughter’s face as she snuggled deeper into Sheridan’s embrace. Curling her tanned legs beneath her and laying her head against Sheridan’s shoulder. “So you know her father…” Sheridan said. “Haley’s been pretty tight-lipped about her father. But I get the distinct impression she adores him,” Sheridan laughed lightly. “I know her father,” Pilar nodded her head. “Very well. I’ve known him since he was a boy. He is a fine young man. But like all of us, he has his faults.” “You can say that again,” Ivy muttered under her breath. “What’s that, Ivy?” Sheridan quirked a slender golden brow at her sister-in-law. “Perfect people annoy me so,” Ivy scowled. Haley giggled at her comeback. “That’s why I HATE Barbie.” “You, too?” Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled. “You’re so cool, Sheridan,” Haley gushed. Forgetting for a moment there were other people in the room. Namely, her grandma. “Oh my goodness! Dessert!” Sheridan exclaimed. Bolting from the sofa and disappearing into the kitchen.

“Pilar,” Sheridan smiled. Carrying the decadent chocolate concoction to the coffee table and setting it down. “You have to stay for dessert. You, too, Ivy.” “Oh dear,” Ivy groaned. “I really shouldn’t…” Sheridan placed a slab of the rich treat on a small saucer and waved it under Ivy’s nose. “Are you sure? Come on,” she encouraged. “You’re only human.” “I don’t think you’ll have to say a thousand Hail Mary’s for this kind of cheating, Ivy,” Haley smirked as Ivy sighed in defeat. Grabbing the saucer from Sheridan’s hands and spearing her fork into it. “Oh god,” she moaned pleasurably. “This is absolutely sssssssssiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnfffffffffffffuuuuuuuuulllllllllll,” she said. Haley was afraid for a moment her blue-green eyes were going to roll all the way to the back of her head.

“Thank you, Mija,” Pilar smiled. Taking her plate and setting it on her lap. “Pilar…stop being so…reserved. Dive right in,” Ivy urged. Closing her lips around another piece of gooey chocolate. “YES!” “Mrs. Crane!” Pilar barked. Cheeks burning with embarrassment. Haley and Sheridan exchanged glances. Snickering. “Sheridan,” Haley giggled mischievously. “You got some chocolate…right there,” she whispered. Swiping a streak across Sheridan’s chin. “Haley!” Sheridan shrieked with laughter. “You’re going to pay. You are SO going to pay.” Haley’s brown eyes grew round as she watched Sheridan dig her fingers into her piece of cake and lift it…it was like slow motion. All she remembered later was ducking with a split second to spare, and the way Ivy’s scream made the entire cottage shake. It was one of the best food fights of her life.

“Pilar…you don’t have to do that,” Sheridan sighed. Taking the broom from Pilar’s hands and tucking it back into the closet. “I can finish cleaning this mess later. You go home to your family.” Pilar smiled warmly at her. Cupping her jaw in the palm of her hand. “But Mija…I don’t mind helping. It’s my job. And besides…my gran…Haley’s responsible for most of the mess. And I feel responsible for her.” “Your grandma’s pretty good at this,” Ivy grinned appreciatively. “I’m impressed.” “Who knew Grandma was such a great liar? That’s where aunt Theresa got her talent for telling whoppers! Haley grinned at the revelation. Then frowned. Oh no! Little lies. White lies. They all added up. She raised her hands to her cheeks in horror. Her mouth gaping. “It can’t be true. It can’t be.” “What, Dear?” Ivy asked in confusion. “I’m turning into my aunt Theresa! That’s weird, though. I don’t remember a pod being by my bed this morning when I woke up. Oh my goodness! Ivy…my aunt’s an alien! An alien from Mars!”

“Haley, Dear,” Ivy shook her head—streaks of chocolate still in her white-blond hair.. Reaching a gentle hand to Haley’s forehead. “Sometimes you worry me.” Haley snapped out of panicked daze when the words “Goodbye, Miss Sheridan” left her grandma’s lips. NO! She didn’t want to leave yet. She didn’t want to go home. She wanted to stay. “Goodbye, Pilar,” Sheridan hugged her grandma’s neck. “We really should do this again sometime. Well…minus one extremely messy food fight,” she smiled sheepishly. “Sheridan, Dear,” Ivy smiled. “I’m afraid I have to go, too.” “You, too, Haley?” the smile on Sheridan’s face faded slightly. “I can drive you home if you want,” she offered. “Don’t worry about Haley, Mija,” Pilar said reassuringly. “I’ll make sure she gets home safely.” “Thank you.” “Bye!” she waved as they turned to walk outside. “Mija,” Pilar hissed as Haley yanked her arm free and bounded across the room. Wrapping her arms around Sheridan’s waist and squeezing her tight. Sheridan stroked Haley’s brown hair lovingly. “I love you, Sheridan,” Haley whispered. “I don’t want to leave you all alone.” Ivy’s blue-green eyes teared up, and Pilar had difficulty swallowing past the lump in her throat at Sheridan’s answer. “I love you, too. Now go home. I’ll be fine.” “Promise?” “Promise,” Sheridan vowed. Kissing Haley’s forehead sweetly. The smile still on her face as the door shut behind them.

Chapter 17

Haley squeezed her brown eyes shut as her grandma shut the door behind them. “Oh Haley! Is that you?” Theresa called from the kitchen. “Is Sheridan okay?” Great, Aunt Theresa, she thought with a groan. Add another nail to my coffin. “Luis was so…MAMA!” Theresa exclaimed in shock. Holding a hand to her mouth. “I was just…we saw the whole thing…Luis attacked this poor woman…” “Theresita…” Pilar sighed. Her arms crossed around her chest. “I think you should shut it,” Haley advised. “She knows,” she hissed. “She knows?” Theresa said dumbly. “She..OH! OH MY GOODNESS! You know?” she asked. Brown eyes even wider than usual. “Breathe, Aunt Theresa,” Haley rolled her eyes. “It’s okay,” she muttered. “It IS okay. Isn’t it, Grandma?” she asked uncertainly. Pilar’s arms fell to her sides, and she walked over to the sofa to take a seat. “Lies are wrong, Mija. I thought your father and I had taught you better…” “You have, Grandma,” Haley said hurriedly. “It’s just…I don’t know how to explain it,” she groaned. Throwing her arms up in the air. “Haley wants Sheridan to be her mom,” Theresa supplied. “Thanks,” Haley said sarcastically. “Just blow the whole pl…”

“Plan?” Pilar arched a dark brow. “Tell me this plan, Mija. What exactly does it involve?” “Sheridan and Luis falling in love,” Theresa sighed dreamily. “Marrying. And living happily ever after with Haley as their daughter. Right Haley?” “You’re just so helpful tonight. You know that?” “Thank you,” Theresa giggled. The more she thought about, the more she realized there really SHOULD be some kind of public health advisory tattooed on her aunt’s forehead. Or some other part of her body that warned people off. It was hard to hear what her aunt was actually saying when “DUH!” kept ringing in her ears. “Haley,” Pilar said as gently as possible. “Mija…you already have a mother.” “Grandma,” Haley’s mouth dropped open. “How could you…” “I know you two aren’t close…” “She abandoned me!” Haley cried. Tears welling up in her brown eyes. "But you can’t replace her,” Pilar finished quietly. Standing up to place her hands on her granddaughter’s slim shoulders. “I…I…Grandma,” Haley’s face fell. “But she’s not here. I know YOU are. But it isn’t the same…And I LOVE Sheridan. I know she would be an amazing mom.”

“Haley,” Pilar smiled tenderly. “I’m not going to argue with you on that point. Or about a mother and me being two very different things. But don’t you think you should at least be honest with Sheridan? Have you ever considered the possibility that she and your father, they just won’t…” “Mama,” Theresa interjected. “There’s definitely SOMETHING there.” Would wonders never cease? Her aunt actually said something SMART, Haley thought with a happy little grin. “Grandma,” Haley whined. “I may be only 11 years old, but even **I** saw the sparks.” “Sparks? Actual sparks?” Theresa questioned giddily. Haley rolled her brown eyes. Back to the drawing board. Hope was a funny thing. It could be dashed in an instant. Aunt Theresa was obviously NEVER going to be on the same level as Einstein. Yeah, yeah. Just because she was 11 didn’t mean she didn’t know who Albert Einstein was. EVERYBODY knew who Einstein was. Well…a person really shouldn’t EVER say everybody. Her aunt was almost always the exception to the rule. “Admit it, Grandma. I just know Dad likes her. He’s just being too much of a guy to figure out the truth.” “And how do YOU know so much about guys?” Pilar questioned. Casting an uneasy glance at her daughter. Hopefully not…

“Mama,” Theresa said in exasperation. “Come on…it doesn’t take a rocket scientist,” Theresa giggled. “I rest my case,” Haley tried desperately not to crack a smile. But Grandma failed that little test. The corners of her lips turned up just so.

Pilar collapsed onto the sofa wearily. And Haley followed her. “What exactly IS the plan?” Theresa bounced up and down on the sofa. Making all 3 of them bounce WITH her. “Well...” “Aunt Theresa!” Haley glared. “Well…” Haley began. Shooting an impish grin Theresa’s way. “Sheridan’s going to be doing her community service at the Youth Center so…she and Dad have to spend lots and lots of time together. They’ll fall in love without even realizing it.” “Haley,” Pilar smiled. “It’s not that simple.” “Why not?” Haley shrugged her shoulders. Pilar laughed. “Your father and Sheridan…they’re two VERY strong-willed people. Competitive people. For all their differences, they share ONE thing in common. One thing that’s standing in their way.” “What?” Theresa hung on every word. “Yeah, Grandma…” “Stubbornness,” Pilar and another voice from the front door said simultaneously. “Uncle Miguel!” Haley grinned. “Mija,” Pilar frowned. “How many people beside me know about…” “I had to tell him,” Haley muttered. “He saw us.” “At the beach,” Pilar said in realization.

“Dad just has to see how wonderful she is,” Haley sighed. “He has to. I wish there was some way…” “This is so much fun,” Theresa squealed. Her brown eyes sparkling. “Mija,” Pilar chided. Haley looked at her like she had two heads. And Miguel shook his head. “Whatever happened to falling in love naturally?” Pilar wondered out loud. “Grandma,” Haley said patiently. “You said it yourself. They’re BOTH stubborn. And no matter how much I want Sheridan to be my mom, I don’t think she’s going to forget how mean Dad treated her anytime soon. Unless…” “We play Cupid!” Theresa clapped her hands together excitedly. “Oh brother,” Haley groaned. “OH BROTHER!” Theresa gasped. “Is there an echo in here?” Haley asked sarcastically. “OH…OH…OH…” Theresa stammered. Haley’s brown eyes locked with her grandma’s, then her uncle’s, then… “Play Cupid for who, Haley?” a familiar voice asked. Amusement plain. This is so NOT my day, Haley thought as her eyes fluttered closed. So NOT my day. “Dad!” she laughed nervously as her father kissed her cheek in greeting. “What are you doing here?” “What do you think I’m doing here?” her dad’s dark brows shot skyward. “Haley…Theresa…Miguel…Mama,” he said pointedly. “Why are you all acting so strange? What’s going on here?” Wouldn’t you like to find out, Haley thought. Praying for a miracle. At this rate, Operation MOM was never going to get off the ground.

Chapter 18

Close call, but as Haley had come to realize…she had a natural knack for escaping REAL trouble. Well…this time she had a little help. Really. With Grandma, Uncle Miguel, and Aunt Theresa on her side…Scratch that. A girl could never place all her eggs in Aunt Theresa’s basket. She’d be lucky if the silly girl didn’t crack them all. Anyways…she survived. And the next few weeks were quite an adventure. What with her doing double duty spying on her dad and Sheridan at the Youth Center and visiting Sheridan in the afternoons. Bleachers were good for something. Hiding under. Although…she wondered if a girl could stunt her growth crouching under there all the time. Thankfully, that only lasted about a week or so.

It was quite astonishing (knocked the socks off of her), but Aunt Theresa came up with a solution. It was kind of like dressing up for Halloween. Every morning her aunt Theresa would fix and style a new wig for her, and she went to the Youth Center in disguise. Grandma would look like she was going to croak over and bite the big one, but in the end, all she’d do was recite “Dios Mio” under her breath and give her a gentle kiss on the forehead before she left for a long day’s work at the Crane Mansion. Oh! And she mentioned something about giving Aunt Theresa a good talking-to about what she was spending her allowance on. But all Aunt Theresa’d do was giggle and ignore her. In one ear. Out the other.

Sometimes being somebody else was cool. Sheridan didn’t always say much about her days spent at the Youth Center with her dad, but Haley knew a lot more was going on than she’d tell. Of course she did! She was there. She was there the day Tommy Michaels dumped a whole bucket of red paint over his head, and Sheridan had to take him back to the showers to wash it off. Not even two minutes later, she walked out in a complete daze. Redder than Tommy with his paint-covered face. Haley still giggled when she remembered that look. Tommy blabbed to everybody, and she DID mean EVERYBODY that “Ms. Shwerry saw Mr. Wuis nekkid!” It took days before Sheridan was able to look her dad in the eyes again. And then she couldn’t even do it without blushing.

But other times, she just wished she could tell the truth. She hated lying to Sheridan. She hated being so close to her everyday, all day, and not being able to be herself. She just…she just didn’t like it. And today she hated it more than most days…summer storms were making themselves known in the small coastal town of Harmony, and the kids at the Youth Center were restless. More restless than usual anyway. She’d played so many games of basketball, she could still hear the thuds ringing in her ears. Along with the occasional boom of thunder. Besides…only the cutest guy of all the cute guys—Todd (funny…she had NO clue what his last name was…) in Harmony had totally crushed the most essential part of her disguise. Her ugly, heavy black framed glasses. Her cracked lens scared one of the little ones who promptly tattled to Ms. Sheridan and wanted her to give Todd a spanking. She was snickering so hard at the notion and the fleeting twinkle in Todd’s brown eyes, she nearly gave away her prized hiding spot. Anyway…back to the numero uno reason she hated lying and pretending to be someone else most today…her dad challenged Sheridan to a dance-off. And Sheridan didn’t back down!

To get things started, her dad pulled out the hokiest of dances. The hokey pokey. He said it was to break the ice. Oh it broke the ice alright. And bruised a few backsides when the little ones couldn’t keep their balance doing some of the moves. Haley didn’t know who was laughing more…her, all the other kids, Sheridan, or her dad. She sighed happily at the sight of her two favorite people having so much fun together. It’d been a long time since her dad had had so much fun. Laughed so hard. The last time she could remember…well, she couldn’t. She didn’t have the foggiest idea. Tears streamed down her cheeks when Sheridan made the ultimate clown of herself and impressed them all with a few disco moves. Haley SO wished she could reveal herself. Teasing Sheridan was just SO INCREDIBLY fun. But she couldn’t let on she had actually been a witness. That would blow her cover out of the water.

Her dad was nothing if not competitive so he pulled out the big guns. The tango! Without realizing it, Haley slowly made her way over to join the rest of the crowd, and her brown eyes twinkled as the strains of one of her grandma’s favorite Spanish songs began to play loud and clear in the Youth Center gymnasium. She barely restrained herself from squealing with excitement at the look on her dad’s face as Sheridan seemed to anticipate each and every one of his moves. “Take that, Dad,” she grinned. Cheering Sheridan on. As the dance progressed, though, she found she couldn’t say a word. Only stand there with her mouth hanging open in utter amazement. Transfixed. Mesmerized. It was like they completely forgot they had a gymnasium full of kids watching them, and they were the only two people. The only two people on earth even. They only looked at each other, and Haley felt a chill go down her spine. Then a giddy smile formed on her lips as she realized…this was working so much better than even she could have planned!

Mr. Magoo could have seen the chemistry (yeah…eleven year olds knew what chemistry was). And oh goodness! Her cheeks burned with slight embarrassment as the music died down, and her dad and Sheridan stayed frozen to the spot. Staring deeply into each other’s eyes. They looked like they were going…oh, oh, oh…they were going to kiss! She just knew it. They were so going to kiss. Their lips were inching closer, and her dad was holding Sheridan just a little too close, and…a boom of thunder to end all booms of thunder sounded. Plunging the Youth Center into darkness and scaring the living daylights out of all the little kids. OOOOKKKKKAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!! She was adult enough to admit it…scaring the living daylights out of her, too. “Great,” she muttered. As if dealing with the two most stubborn people alive weren’t enough…now she had Mother Nature to contend with, too. If she felt up to it with the splitting headache she was sure all the screaming was going to give her. Little kids, she rolled her eyes in the darkness. At least no one (Grandma and Dad at the top of the list) could accuse her of being rude if they didn't see her...

Chapter 19

“Ms. Shwerry! Ms. Shwerry! I want my mama!” Tommy bawled in the darkness. Not caring who heard him. Haley jumped when she felt tiny hands clutching at her leg, and the distinct sounds of…sniffling. Oh Dad…Oh Dad, she thought as she removed the sweaty little palm from her thigh and held it tightly. Dad! Do something! Or else they’re ALL going to be crying in 60 seconds! The storm must be REALLY bad outside. There wasn’t even any light coming in through the windows. Okay…so there weren’t many windows at all, but still. She was getting kind of scared herself. AND…she was getting REALLY mad that her dad and Sheridan got interrupted. Now they’d probably NEVER kiss.

“Tommy. Tommy, it’s okay,” Sheridan’s voice cut through the darkness. “I know it’s dark, but we’re all here together. And I personally won’t let anything happen to you. Neither will Mr. Luis. Will you?” Haley smiled as her dad spoke. She could HEAR the smile in his voice. “Mr. Luis wouldn’t dare. Everyone stay close. I’m going to go get some candles, and see if I can find the matches. Ms. Sherry’ll be with you the whole time I’m gone.” Another crash of loud thunder had even the ‘brave’ kids screaming. Until they heard it…the most beautiful sound Haley had ever heard in her life. All the sniffles and whimpers ceased as Sheridan sang to them. When her dad came back, a candle’s tiny flame flickering across his face, he couldn’t keep his eyes off of her, and first chance Tommy got, he ran straight to Sheridan’s outstretched arms. Curling up in her lap and laying his head on her shoulder. Sheridan’s smile was almost sad as she feathered her fingers through Tommy’s sandy hair and continued her song.

“Well…that was…” her dad struggled to find the words. “That was…” “Beaudiful,” Tommy announced with a toothy smile. “Ms. Shwerry. You sing better than my mama.” Sheridan laughed and squeezed Tommy’s little body tight. “Why thank you, Mr. Tommy. But I don’t think you should tell your mama that. It might hurt her feelings.” “Oh. Okay,” he said seriously. Snuggling deeper into Sheridan’s arms. And Haley felt a really funny sensation. Was she…no, she wasn’t…she wasn’t JEALOUS of a four-year-old, was she? Haley, don’t be ridiculous, she scolded herself. A four-year-old? Tommy already had a family. Sheridan was…Were you about to say yours, the annoying little voice inside her head posed the question. “So what if I were,” Haley grumbled under her breath. Earning odd looks from the kids around her. She had to control the urge to laugh as they crept away.

After her dad had lit candles and placed them around the entire gymnasium, he returned to their little group to sit down beside Sheridan. “I checked the weather radio, and it seems this will be going on for a while.” Audible groans were heard around the room. “Are you saying…” Sheridan let the rest of her question hang in the air. “We’re stuck,” her dad said with a nod of his head. “Well…why don’t we get to know each other better then?” Sheridan suggested with twinkling blue eyes. “I’ll go first,” she volunteered when no one else seemed to warm up to the idea.

And for the next several minutes, everyone listened in rapt interest as Sheridan proceeded to tell them her life story. Her dad seemed especially interested, Haley thought. Sighing to herself. He even had this funny little smile on his face a few times. If she didn’t know better—and lest no one forget she was remarkably perceptive for all her eleven years—her dad was starting to see a new side to Sheridan (a lot really) and REALLY liking what he found out.

Well…Sheridan really opened up a whole new can of worms, and Haley found herself amazed by everyone’s stories. But she wasn’t in such an awe-induced stupor that she missed the cute little glances her dad and Sheridan were sharing. “It’s working better than I imagined,” she grinned. Hiding her face behind her hands. She DID have the world’s biggest, brightest smile on her face. She didn’t want ALL the kids at the Youth Center to think she was a loony tune.

Tommy was drooling on Sheridan’s shoulder by the time one kid hatched up a brilliant idea. At least SHE thought it was brilliant. Really, though. What could be better than a party at summer’s end as sort of a going away present? Well…they weren’t technically going away. BUT…school would start before they knew it, and gone would be the days of never-ending basketball games and just plain ole fun. And the kid (she’d really have to find out HER name…she seemed like a really cool girl) reasoned when her dad didn’t immediately jump at the suggestion…Ms. Sheridan still didn’t know a lot of people in Harmony. The plan was to invite EVERYONE. Friends. Friends of friends. Parents. And even pesky little AND big brothers and sisters. Haley was almost bubbling with enthusiasm. The idea WAS stupendous (What? Didn’t think an eleven-year-old had THAT word in her vocabulary? Um…okay)!!!

Dad was about to say no. Or at best let them down as gently as possible. Until he took one look at Sheridan's face. Haley and a bunch of the other kids chimed in their agreement when Sheridan said with a rather bashful smile, “That DOES sound wonderful. Doesn’t it, Luis?” Come on. Did she really have to tell what happened next? As if Dad could refuse her anything at this point, Haley grinned giddily. If she didn’t know better, he was on his way to becoming a goner.

She, Haley Elizabeth Lopez-Fitzgerald had the utmost privilege to be front and center as her dad, Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, started falling head over heels in LIKE (if not LOVE) with one Ms. Sheridan Crane. It was way better than any movie she’d ever seen. And usually she HATED the icky romance movies (she was still young…in this day and age you had to hang on to your youth as long as you could—yeah…she was a girl of many contradictions). In the end, all it took was one look into Sheridan’s hopeful blue eyes. Dad said YES!

By the time the lights flickered back on and the storms died down, NOBODY wanted to leave. Tommy’s mother actually had to pry his reluctant little body out of Sheridan’s arms. But eventually, even the LAST holdouts left, and Haley peeked around the corner of the Youth Center as her dad walked Sheridan to her car. A smile stretching from ear to ear. Her dad was such a gentleman, and she was sure that was exactly what Sheridan told him as he opened her car door for her. If only she could be sure…she wasn’t a master lip-reader.

BUT…Haley practically squealed with excitement as her dad leaned in closer and closer, and…oh goodness, oh goodness, oh goodness! He kissed her! He kissed her! A sweet, fleeting kiss on the cheek, but it was a start, she thought as the huge smile on her face turned mega-watt. She just had to tell Grandma. And with that final thought, she darted from her hiding place and ran the entire distance home, arriving out of breath and deliriously happy.

“Grandma! Grandma! He kissed her! He finally kissed her. It was only on the cheek…” She couldn’t understand WHY her grandma barely cracked a smile, WHY her eyes only lit up briefly, or WHY she didn’t say a word as she pulled her into the living room. The happiness in Haley’s brown eyes fled as soon as she laid eyes on HER, and her stomach sank as she rose from the sofa, arms outstretched.

“Oh my god! You’ve gotten so big! Haley? Don’t you recognize me? It’s me. Your mother.”

Chapter 20

“Haley…it’s me. Your mother. Don’t you know who I am? Look at you. Aren’t you…”

How could she, Haley thought. How could she carry on like she hadn’t missed the last 10 years of their lives? She just couldn’t understand it, and she didn’t think it was because she was a kid. Grandma didn’t look like she could understand either. “You’re so pretty,” the woman in front of her gushed, and Haley tensed when she suddenly drew her into her arms. “Oh Haley,” she sighed. “It feels so good to hold you again.” She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to really, because her ‘mother’ did all the talking for her. “Shy? I used to be a bit shy when I was younger…it’s nothing to worry about. I’m sure we’ll get caught up soon. Come on, Haley. Say something.”

How could she? How could she? How… “Say something? What do you want me to say? Thank you? Thank you for being such a kind, wonderful mother? Thank you for loving me and Daddy,” her voice broke as the words spilled from her lips. It’d been a while since she’d called Dad ‘Daddy’. A really long while. “Thank you for loving us so much you had to LEAVE us? Thank you for missing all my birthdays, every Christmas, my first day of school, EVERYTHING? Is that what you want me to say?” Her ‘mother,’ no the stranger standing in front of her, looked stunned. Completely stunned. Her brown eyes were wet with tears, and Haley didn't have to look in a mirror to know that her own eyes were overflowing. “Why now? Why did you come back now?” “Mija…” her grandma spoke. Trying to calm and comfort her. “Mija, don’t. MIJA!” her grandma’s voice echoed in her ears as she raced out of the house. Running blindly in the renewed rain. Letting her heart lead the way.

By the time she got to Sheridan’s cottage, she was drenched. She shivered as she raised a shaky hand to knock on the door. Please, Sheridan. Please be in there. Please. I need you. “I need you,” she sobbed. Tears mingling with raindrops as she realized…the cottage was dark. Sheridan wasn’t at home. And she didn’t know who to go to. But she was only sure of one thing…she couldn’t go home. She couldn’t be there, in the same room, with the woman who just decided today would be the perfect time to come home and pretend the last ten years hadn’t happened. So she just started walking. Not caring that the rain made her clothes heavy and uncomfortable or that she most probably looked like a drowned rat with her hair plastered to her skull.

Night was falling, and though she knew Harmony like the back of her hand, tonight was different. She couldn’t think clearly. It was harder to concentrate on where she was going, but her feet led her forward. Why did she come back? It wasn’t fair. She was supposed to be over her. Over being abandoned. Sheridan had shown her it wasn’t her fault, it hadn’t been anything she’d done, she was too little. Sheridan… “Where are you?” Haley muttered as she ducked her brown head against the driving rain. Shivering as the rivulets of water rushed over her toes. Her sandals offering little protection. She hugged her arms around her waist. She was freezing! If only she could find… “SHERIDAN!” she yelled. Frantically waving to gain Sheridan’s attention as she exited the Book Café.

Maybe it was the rain and the pitch blackness of the night, maybe she was just a little bit too water-logged, maybe it was her ‘mother’s’ sudden reappearance, maybe it was the relief of seeing Sheridan’s unmistakable smile when she finally spotted her across the street and the warm, comforting feelings that bubbled up to overpower all the hurt that had come rushing back the minute she’d seen HER for the first time, not as a baby but as a young girl…if someone asked Haley to pinpoint the EXACT reason why she took off running across the street, ignoring the headlights that cut through the murky darkness, she wouldn’t have been able to answer them. Maybe it was a combination of ALL those things.

She thought she heard her aunt Theresa screaming at her, but she couldn’t imagine why. She couldn’t imagine why the smile left Sheridan’s face, and Ivy seemed frozen in place, a look of horror on her face. Time slowed down as the blare of a car horn cut through her consciousness, and she heard the frightening squeal of the car’s brakes just before she looked up. And when the harsh headlights blinded her…time stood still.

Chapter 21

“Ow!” Haley winced as Dr. Russell cleansed all the little cuts and abrasions that were on her arms and legs. She even had a busted lip. How had THAT happened? “Do you know how lucky you are?” Eve shook her head in disbelief. When Theresa had burst through the emergency room door in hysterics, she’d expected to find Haley near-death. “Very, very lucky for someone who ran out in front of an oncoming vehicle. Haley Lopez-Fitzgerald…what on earth were you thinking? You could have been killed. If it hadn’t been for Ms. Crane’s quick thinking…” “Roadkill, huh?” Haley shrugged. Moaning at the soreness of her limbs. “I’m sorry, Dr. Russell. I wasn’t thinking,” she muttered under her breath. “I had to see her. I still have to. Dr. Russell…please let me see Sheridan. Please,” Haley begged. “Haley,” Eve started to shake her head in protest, but one look into Haley’s pleading brown eyes and… “She’s with another doctor right now, Haley. He’s checking her out to make sure she’s okay…” “Sheridan HAS to be okay,” Haley said. Her voice rising in panic. “She HAS to.” “Calm down, Sweetheart. I’m sure she’s fine. You can…”

“HALEY! HALEY! WHERE’S MY DAUGHTER?” Haley’s brown eyes slammed shut, and she covered her face with a groan. Oh geez…this was SO embarrassing. As if being stupid enough to run out in front of a speeding car wasn’t bad enough…the way her dad was carrying on, EVERYONE in Harmony was going to think she was a big daddy’s baby. “Dios Mio! Theresita! Where is our Haley?” Oh no, Haley thought. And it gets worse! REALLY, REALLY worse, she realized when she heard Ivy's voice. Very clearly. “Pilar…calm down. Dr. Russell is with her right now.” “Mrs. Crane,” her dad sounded SO confused. “What are you doing here?” “I…I…” Do something, Haley! “Dad! Dad,” she called. Taking Eve’s hand and hopping down from the exam table. “I’m okay, Dad,” she smiled sheepishly. She ignored the pangs of soreness in her body as her dad swept her up in his arms. Almost crushing her to him in his relief to see her alive and in one complete piece. "Oh, Haley,” her dad cried. Pulling back to take a good look at her. “I was so afraid…” Haley’s chin quivered slightly at the tears in his eyes. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to scare you.” Okay, she thought as she hugged her dad tightly and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Okay. So she WAS a big daddy’s baby. So what?

“Haley,” a timid voice said. “Haley, thank God you’re all right.” “Dad?” Haley said without looking at him. “What’s SHE doing here?” She searched out her dad’s dark eyes when he didn’t answer. “Dad? Why did you bring HER? I don’t want HER here.” “Haley…Mija,” her grandma soothed. “She was worried. Just like the rest of us.” Out of the corner of her eye, Haley saw Ivy pull her aunt Theresa to the side. She wasn’t a very good lip-reader, but it looked like Ivy was asking ‘who the H-E-double hockey sticks is she?’ Normally, she would have laughed, but she had a little too much pressing on her mind at the moment. “Why, Dad?” “Luis…” the topic of much conversation and target of many hostile looks—including Ivy’s glare and muttered ‘Bitch’ (normally, she’d say the ‘rhymes with witch’ but hey…EVERYONE heard it, and it wasn’t like Grandma was going to take a bar of soap and wash her brain out for thinking it)—began awkwardly. “Your father didn’t bring me. Haley…I was scared. And I felt like it was partly my fault that you ran out the way you did.” “Part?” Haley scoffed. “It was ALL your fault.” “Haley,” her dad warned. “That isn’t fair to your mother…” “My mother? MY MOTHER?! No, Dad. You are NOT being nice to her. Are you? After what she did to us? Dad…”

“Haley…chill, okay?” She glared up at her uncle Miguel. The big dork! “Leave. Leave and go back to wherever you came from. Don’t you see we don’t want you here?” “Haley,” her dad grabbed her by the shoulders. “I know it hurts. You’re angry at her for leaving us. But…” he paused. Searching out the slim figure of the woman who now all of a sudden seemed to WANT the job of being her mother and looking into her brown eyes. Brown eyes like mine, Haley remembered, as she felt the tell-tale sting of tears. “But I think we need to give her the benefit of a doubt. I don’t know her reasons for leaving, and neither do you. But don’t you want to find out? Don’t you want to at least give her a chance? She deserves that, don’t you think?” Haley’s jaw set stubbornly, and her eyes flashed as SHE began to speak again. “I love you, Haley. And your father. Please. Please, just let me show you. I’ve changed. I’ve grown up. I want to be a part of your lives again. I want to make up for hurting you. I know it’s not going to be easy, but…” “Dad…you don’t believe her, do you? She doesn’t love us. She never did…Tell her. Tell her you don’t love her anymore. Tell her you don’t care…” Her brown eyes were wild as she silently begged him. Her dad wasn’t supposed to look so unsure. He was supposed to KNOW. Everything. He wasn’t supposed to look so…old. And tired. And sad. He was supposed to smile again. He was supposed to love…

“SHERIDAN!” she cried as Sheridan emerged from a cubicle down the hall. “Sheridan,” she clung to Sheridan’s waist and raised teary brown eyes to her confused blue ones. “Don’t let her do this. Please. You’re supposed to be the one…I saw him kiss you. I did. I know he likes you. Don’t let her come back and ruin everything.” “Haley…slow down, Sweetie. Shh. I don’t understand. Who came back? You saw me kiss Luis?” Haley rubbed her damp cheek against the palm of Sheridan’s hand as she nodded, and she trembled as Sheridan hugged her close. “Haley? What’s going on here? I thought Theresa called your dad. Why’s Luis here? And Pilar…Oh my God,” she gasped as Luis stepped forward. Studying her with an inscrutable expression on his face. And the woman with the familiar brown eyes looked at her oddly. Haley watched a dozen emotions flit across Sheridan’s pretty features, and the guilt started to gnaw at her. But the hurt was worse. The hurt that her dream was falling apart. “Sheridan?” her dad left the question hanging in the air. Ivy and Grandma and Aunt Theresa and Uncle Miguel…they all faded to the background. “Luis…aren’t you going to introduce us? Hi,” she held a hand out. Ignoring the scowl across Haley’s face. “I’m Haley’s mother. But you can call me Beth…” “Haley…” Sheridan’s blue eyes…Haley couldn’t read them. “Luis…you’re…” “…Haley’s father,” the shock wearing off enough for him to speak. “And Haley’s got a lot of explaining to do,” he said. Giving her a pointed look before his eyes wandered to the bandage on Sheridan’s forehead. A whole lot of explaining to do, Haley thought before she buried herself in the comfort of Sheridan’s embrace again. But she could she just hide for a little while?

Chapter 22

“Haley…I’m waiting.” Haley looked into her dad’s brown eyes and sighed. The gig was up. This time she HAD to come clean. “How long has this been going on? How long have you been keeping this from me?” her dad demanded of Sheridan. “Dad!” Haley exclaimed. “You’re not being fair. Sheridan didn’t know about you. She didn’t,” she cried. But her dad looked unconvinced. “We didn’t tell her. We lied to her, too. I’m so sorry, Sheridan,” Haley’s voice rose higher the more upset she became. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. Honest. I was so scared…I didn’t want you to hate me because of my dad. He was mean to you, and I…”

“Hate you?” Sheridan asked incredulously. Cupping Haley’s face in her hands. “Oh, Haley…I could NEVER hate you. NEVER,” she repeated. Haley wrapped her arms tightly around Sheridan’s waist again, hanging on for dear life. “I AM disappointed, though, that you lied to me. That all of you lied to me,” Sheridan sighed as she stroked Haley’s damp dark hair back from her face. Pilar hung her head in shame. Miguel and Theresa wore similar expressions of embarrassment, and Ivy wore a ‘what the hell…I got caught look.’ “And that you obviously lied to your father.” “I know,” Haley muttered. “What I did was wrong. WAY wrong. But I love you, Sheridan. You’re the coolest, nicest person I’ve ever met, and I like to spend time with you. You ALWAYS listen to me. You make me feel important. You…I…you’re the closest thing to a Mom I’ve ever had, and I didn’t want to mess that up.”

Pilar watched Luis watch Sheridan with Haley, and she smiled slightly as she realized…maybe Haley’s plan hadn’t been for naught. There was something…a softness in his eyes as he looked at Sheridan. Whether he was ready to admit it to himself or the outside world or not. And she also watched Beth watch Sheridan with Haley, her brown eyes clouding with jealousy. Something WAS there, and Beth obviously saw it herself. Saw it clearly enough she felt threatened. “Dad,” Haley implored her father with teary brown eyes. “Please…don’t be mad at Sheridan. Be mad at me.”

Haley prided herself on knowing every one of her dad’s expressions by heart, but she just couldn’t read him as he closed the distance between them. “Dad?” “Haley…not now,” Luis shook his head. “It’s been a really long, exhausting day. You’re off the hook. For now.” He was speaking to her, but Haley’s nose scrunched up when she realized he was staring into Sheridan’s blue eyes. “Haley,” Sheridan whispered, unable to break her gaze with Luis. “He’s right. You should go home and get some rest, Sweetie.”

“But Sheridan…” “I’m not going anywhere,” she was quick to reassure Haley. “I’ll see you tomorrow?” Sheridan looked to Luis for confirmation. “Tomorrow,” he agreed. His hand reaching of its own accord to finger the bandage on her forehead. “Thank you,” he spoke softly. His fingers tucking a stray golden strand behind her ear and making her gasp in surprise. “For looking out for her.” “No problem,” Sheridan murmured. Haley bit her lip to hide the giddy grin that threatened to steal over her entire face. Was Sheridan melting into a complete puddle of mush or what? And Dad…WHOA DAD! Now she’d never believe he didn’t at least like Sheridan. Suddenly she felt like singing…Tomorrow, Tomorrow. Okay. SO lame. But seeing her dad look at Sheridan like that, and not getting promised a real good butt-whoopin’ when she got home…she was one happy gal. Until…

“Luis,” SHE said. “Luis, I think it’s time WE got Haley home.” Haley scowled. WE? WE! Oh no! Oh goodness no! “Dad! NO! SHE’S not going home with us! No way!” “Haley,” Luis sighed. Flashing a slightly irritated look HER way. Haley gripped Sheridan’s waist tighter as the woman currently hanging all over her dad tried to pull off the ‘I’m so hurt’ routine. “It’s really late, and I don’t have anywhere to stay so I was wondering…” “The Bed and Breakfast has plenty of rooms. Dad is really good friends with Sam. He might even get you a room for FREE.” Haley saw Ivy’s lips twitch a few feet away.

“I wanted to catch up…” “I’m really, really tired,” Haley mock-yawned. “I’m going straight to bed.” If Aunt Theresa will shut up, Haley thought to herself. She was probably going to want to hear all the details of her near-death experience. And then some. “I need to talk to your father,” SHE said with a slight smirk on her lips. NOT! Ha! Her dad was going to shoot THAT one down. She saw it coming a mile away. “Tomorrow, Beth. This is all…it’s all just a little too much to grasp right now. I need time. Haley needs time. We’ll ALL have a better idea of how we…what we’re going to do then.”

SHE opened her mouth to protest, Haley could tell, but Grandma stopped all that. “Mija…say your goodnights. Goodnight, Sheridan,” she smiled warmly. “Thank you for saving my granddaughter’s life.” Haley’s brown eyes sparkled happily as Sheridan’s blue eyes smiled down at her. “Happy to do it, but it better not ever happen again. Promise?” “Promise,” Haley vowed. Stealing Sheridan’s breath with her fierce hug. “I love you, Sheridan.” “I love you, too,” Sheridan waved as Pilar, Theresa, and Miguel walked Haley out. Ivy waited just a short distance away as Sheridan locked gazes with Luis again. Finally, she found the will to break the silence and tear her eyes away from him. “Goodnight, Luis.” “Goodnight.” “Luis,” Beth slipped her hand in Luis’s. “Give me a ride?” Ivy’s voice came out in a low growl as they watched the brunette practically drag Luis out of the hospital. “Bitch.” “Ivy!” Sheridan exclaimed with an amused smile. “I will NOT feel bad for saying it,” Ivy stuck to her guns. “Sheridan, Darling…Luis likes you, Haley LOVES you, the woman feels threatened, she’s acting accordingly…it all adds up. She’s being a B-I-T-C-H.” Sheridan shook her head as she walked ahead of Ivy. “Luis likes me?” “Oh, Honey…do you even have to ask?”

Chapter 23

“Haley…can we cut the silent treatment? I didn’t do anything wrong,” her dad insisted as he buckled his safety belt and turned to face her. Her lips stretched into an even straighter line if that were possible, and her jaw set in stone. “She wanted to talk. She’s been gone so long. Haley…no. You’re too young to understand,” he shook his head, his raising to the keys in the ignition. “Too young? Too young, Dad? What’s there to understand?” Haley’s voice held a lot a anger, and even a little bit of hurt. “She abandoned us. She abandoned us, and now…suddenly she’s back, expecting everything to be hunky-dory. Like she didn’t do anything wrong. It’s all lies. I can’t believe you actually listened to her!” Haley spat. Crossing her arms across her chest angrily and staring straight ahead. “Haley,” her dad reached for her arm. “No!” Haley yanked her arm away. “You’re not going to make me like her or even for sorry for her. I don’t want to hear it.” She could feel her dad’s dark eyes boring into her, but she didn’t dare look. Finally, she heard him sigh, and the jeep came alive.

“She sent you something,” he said softly, and she scowled when he laid a brightly wrapped package on her lap. “I don’t want it. Tell her she can keep her stupid present.” “Haley…” her dad said, a note of exasperation in his tone, “you don’t have to like her. You don’t even have to feel sorry for her or understand her, but I think the least you should do is give her a chance. Remember how badly I treated Sheridan at first? Did she deserve that? You know and I know…she didn’t deserve to be treated in such a way. She’s a great person. She has a good heart. And I think, despite what your mother has done, that she has a good heart, too. Just give her a chance. For me,” he pleaded. She turned to look at him, tears welling in her eyes. “But what about…I thought you liked Sheridan. What about her? She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to us, Dad. Are we supposed to just forget about her? Just because SHE decided she wants us again? No. I won’t do it. I’m sorry, but I can’t,” she cried. The jeep slowed to a stop, and Haley flung the passenger door open. Racing toward Sheridan’s cottage.

Sheridan didn’t have time to react before Haley threw her arms around her, holding on like she was afraid she’d disappear at any second. “You’re here,” she smiled as she stroked Haley’s long hair back from her face. “A little earlier than I expected, but that’s okay,” she told her as she led her to the sofa. “I thought your dad was coming…” she trailed off. Haley missed the way Sheridan’s blue eyes lit up upon seeing her dad. Her head already rest against Sheridan’s bare, sun-kissed shoulder. Her legs tucked beneath her body, snuggled against Sheridan’s side. Her brown eyes closed as she savored the feel of Sheridan’s arms around her. Undemanding. Loving. She felt safe in her arms, like she’d never ever be hurt. Her dad’s voice sounded kind of funny when he spoke, and she raised her head, her eyes watching his eyes, his face as he looked at Sheridan. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. I…” “Luis…” Sheridan set him immediately at ease. Or at least as close to ease as he was going to get today of all days, Haley realized. Feeling a bit guilty for putting added pressure on her dad. “It’s fine. You may not believe it, but I’ve been up for hours already. I’m glad you’re finally here,” she said. Smiling down at Haley. “Oh,” her dad said in surprise. “So…” he trailed off as he lowered himself into the armchair across from them both. “What now?” Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled as she asked the question.

Haley’s fingers found their way to the bandage peeking out from Sheridan’s blond hair. “Sheridan,” she said in a somewhat wobbly voice. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. Sheridan grasped her fingers in her hand and brought them to her lips. “Don’t be,” she smiled. Almost forgetting they weren’t alone. “It’s nothing. Nothing compared to what COULD have happened. Haley…I want you to promise me something.” “Anything,” Haley said emphatically. Sheridan’s eyes were a little brighter, her voice a little softer as she talked. “Don’t ever, EVER do anything like that again. Okay? I know you were upset and hurt, and you weren’t really thinking. But you could have been REALLY hurt or even worse. You could have di…anyway,” she continued, swallowing past the lump lodged in her throat. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t got to you in time, Haley. I love you too much…” “I’m sorry,” Haley apologized again. Tears streaming down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms tightly around Sheridan’s neck, practically crawling into her lap. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault you’re hurt. I couldn’t stand it if you had…” “Shh,” Sheridan soothed. Rubbing Haley’s back in calming circles before pulling back and framing Haley’s face with her palms. “Well…we don’t have to worry about that, do we? I’m okay. Great, actually. Especially now that you’re here,” she smiled. In between sniffles, a beautiful smile lit up Haley’s tear-streaked face as she watched Sheridan’s blue eyes drift to her dad’s silent figure close by. Her dad finally broke the silence, his words shocking them all. But in a good way, Haley decided, witnessing Sheridan’s happy reaction to his invitation to join them both. For ice cream.

“Luis, you don’t have to,” she told him as Haley tugged her to her feet. “I…” “You saved Haley’s life. Ice cream’s not that big a deal,” he grinned at her. Haley sighed happily when Sheridan took the hand her dad held out for her. “Well, thank you then. I’d LOVE to go. Give me just a few minutes to get ready,” she said. Her hand slipping out of his as she turned to go. “Get ready? You already look beaut…nice,” he quickly amended. Slightly embarrassed, Haley thought with a giggle. These two SO needed help. She gave her appearance a quick once-over and looked up at him in amazement. Denim cutoffs, a pale pink spaghetti strapped tank, and the oldest pair of sandals she owned? She worried her bottom lip between her teeth for a moment before smiling shyly at him. “Okay. If you say so…” “I say so,” her dad chuckled as he offered his hand again. Sheridan tentatively laced her fingers with his, looking away quickly when his gaze lingered just a bit longer on her than usual. Grow up, people, Haley thought, rolling her brown eyes at them. They were worse than all those silly friends of Aunt Theresa’s. “Come on,” Haley cried. Shoving them both out the front door. “If we don’t hurry, they’re going to run out of colored sprinkles.” “I keep trying to convince her that chocolate sprinkles are better, but she refuses to believe me. Tell her, Sheridan.” “Are you kidding?” Sheridan’s blue eyes twinkled merrily. “Colored sprinkles rule!” Haley erupted into laughter. “Ha ha! Gotcha, Dad!” she teased playfully as she made a beeline for the jeep. Luis shook his head at the giggling pair as he cranked the jeep. What, exactly, had he gotten himself into, he wondered as he steered the vehicle through the front gates.

“Haley…I don’t know,” Sheridan said later as they rested lazily against a tree trunk in the park. “Your dad might need some help.” “Dad?” Haley waved off her concern. “He can handle ice cream,” she giggled as she sprawled on her belly. Propping her chin against her palms and beaming up at Sheridan. “Sheridan…” she sighed as the slight breeze ruffled her hair. “Yeah?” Sheridan smiled back at her. “This is nice, isn’t it?” “Very nice,” Sheridan agreed. “We should do this more often,” Haley murmured as Sheridan caught a flyaway strand of her dark hair and tucked it back behind her ear. Sheridan didn’t speak. Only listened. “Me. You. Dad.” “Haley, I don’t know…” “He likes you, you know,” Haley cut her off. “You think?” Sheridan asked softly. A wistful smile on her face as she gazed off into the distance. Haley’s own smile grew bigger she watched Sheridan’s face as Dad got nearer. And nearer. “I don’t think,” Haley said, and Sheridan’s eyes instantly connected with hers. “I know,” she said confidently. Sheridan’s sigh of relief made her want to laugh. Really. Could they both be more clueless? “You know what would be even better?” Sheridan studied her intently. “You and Dad…” “Did I hear my name?” her dad’s voice startled them both. Geez…he really knew how to sneak up on a girl. Must come in handy with the perps, she thought with a smirk. She bet they never knew what hit them. “Haley?” “Nothing,” she shrugged it off as she plucked her cone from his hands.

“Mmm. Colored sprinkles, Dad. Two to one. They’re the best. You’re just too stubborn to admit it,” she teased. “Dad?” she waited for his rebuttal, finally looking up from her ice cream to find her dad and Sheridan making what surely amounted to googly eyes at each other. Just kiss and get it over with already, she thought, groaning inwardly as her dad gently wiped ice cream away from the corner of Sheridan’s mouth with a napkin. “Luis?” “Yeah,” her dad breathed. Okay…they both just conveniently forgot she was there. Right beside them. But was she complaining? A big fat NO! Oh goodness! Looked they were finally buying a clue, she thought. Hiding her face behind a curtain of hair. It looked like Dad was going to plant a big one on her… “Luis,” Sheridan stopped him with a finger on his lips. “Luis, we can’t do this.” Haley’s head snapped up, and her mouth hung open as she stared at them. She didn’t know why, couldn’t understand. But it all became a whole lot clearer the moment she heard HER voice… “You’re damn right you can’t do this.” Sheridan’s gaze refused to leave the grass below her as her dad fumbled for the right words. “Beth! What are YOU doing here?”

Chapter 24

Haley’s eyes flashed with anger as she scrambled to her feet. “Who do you think you are?! My dad can do whatever he wants to. He doesn’t have to answer to you. He can like whoever he wants. And that’s NOT you!” “Haley,” her dad spoke softly. Gripping her shoulders firmly. “Haley, I think you should calm down.” “But Dad,” Haley argued. “Haley…” Haley shut her mouth at his tone. That tone meant business. He was mad. Calm on the outside, but she knew that tone…question was, was he mad at her? Or HER? “Dad,” she hugged her dad’s waist, glaring up at the woman who called herself her mother. The message was clear…GET LOST!!!

“Haley,” her dad spoke without looking at her. “Stay here with Sheridan. Beth and I need to talk. Sheridan…do you mind?” Sheridan finally raised her eyes to meet his, and her voice was a soft, sincere whisper, “I don’t mind.” Haley forgot all about HER for a moment as she watched her dad lean down and kiss Sheridan’s cheek gently. Take that, she thought, sending a wicked grin HER way. “I won’t be long,” her dad smiled into Sheridan’s shining blue eyes. “Take care of her,” he nodded toward her…Haley. “Don’t worry, Dad. She always does.” SHE bristled at her words.

Haley watched her dad lead HER to one of the park benches a few feet away. “Haley,” Sheridan’s voice was soft. Gentle even as she tugged at her hand. “Yeah,” Haley said distractedly. “I think maybe we should talk about something else, do something else instead of stare…” “Okay,” Haley turned confused brown eyes on Sheridan. “What was that all about?” “What was what all about?” Sheridan dodged the question. Knowing exactly what Haley was referring to. Haley rolled her brown eyes at her. “Oh, come on, Sheridan. You know.” Sheridan’s blue eyes shied away from Haley’s intense scrutiny.

“We can’t do this,” Haley said mockingly. “What is that? Sheridan…I know you like my dad. He likes you back. What’s so wrong about that? He was going to kiss you! He likes you, Sheridan,” she whined as she dropped to her knees in front of Sheridan, forcing her to look at her. Haley groaned at the disbelief in Sheridan’s blue eyes. “Maybe, Haley. Maybe. But Sweetie…how much of that is BECAUSE of me saving your life? He loves you more than anything in this world. I can see that. Anyone can see that. He’s grateful to me for…” “Sheridan,” Haley scoffed. “You’re being stubborn just like my dad. You guys are PERFECT for each other,” she cried in exasperation.

Sheridan’s lips curved upward of their own accord, and Haley could tell the sentiment made her happy. Maybe so happy it scared her. That’s what it was! Haley remembered everything Ivy had ever told her about Sheridan. How she was so unlucky in love and stuff. That was it! “Haley,” Sheridan laughed nervously. “I know that look. What bright idea have you come up with this time?” she teased. Haley floored her with her ensuing admission. “You’re scared, aren’t you?” Sheridan’s jaw worked uselessly for several silent seconds, until she finally found her voice, and it came out in a surprised squeak, “Haley! What on earth are you talking about?”

“You’re scared,” Haley repeated matter-of-factly. “You’re afraid of caring about my dad too much.” Sheridan’s cheeks flushed, and she ducked her head to avoid Haley’s questioning brown eyes. “But you already care a little too much, don’t you?” Haley said quietly. “Sheridan,” Haley pleaded. “Don’t try to stop it. Just let it happen. My dad won’t hurt you,” Haley said earnestly. “I promise.” “Haley,” Sheridan sighed with sparkling, wet blue eyes. “I’m afraid that’s not your promise to make.” “But Sheridan,” Haley cried, her own throat tightening with tears as she rubbed her smooth cheek against Sheridan’s palm. “Shh,” Sheridan hushed her. “I know it’s not what you want to hear, but Haley…I want you to give your mother a chance…” “She’s not my mother!” Haley protested, trying to pull away, but Sheridan held on tightly.

“Sweetie,” Sheridan sighed with a shaky smile on her lips. “She IS your mother. Not the mother you deserved. She’s made mistakes. She never should have left you. Or your dad. But people aren’t perfect. There’s no such thing. Give her a second chance, Haley. Take your own advice. Be there for your dad if he chooses to work things out with her.” “How can you even say that?” Haley cried. “How can you? I told you,” her voice rose in desperation. “He likes YOU. You, Sheridan. Not her….” “Haley,” Sheridan interrupted. “No,” Haley shook her dark head vigorously. The day had started off kind of shaky, sure. But just having Sheridan near made things better. SO much better. And now…this was a nightmare.

“I won’t put myself in the middle of this, Haley. I have NO right to interfere with any chance you might have of becoming a family again,” Sheridan’s voice wobbled. “Sheridan, no,” Haley wouldn’t let her go. Her heart was breaking. Why was Sheridan doing this when it was so obvious she was breaking her own heart, too? She didn’t understand. “I don’t want her to be my mom,” she cried against Sheridan’s shoulder. “I wish…” Sheridan closed her blue eyes, tears clinging to her lashes at the ugly truth of her next words, “Wishing doesn’t make it so. Don’t cry, Haley. Please don’t,” she murmured as she brushed Haley’s tears away with the pads of her thumbs. “Smile,” she told her, smiling through her own tears. “This doesn’t have to be the end of anything. I don’t want that.”

“I don’t understand,” Haley sniffled. “You’ll always be special to me, Haley. No matter what.” “What about Dad?” Haley asked. Rubbing at her eyes with her fists. “We’ll be friends?” Sheridan smirked at the thought. “We’ll be friendly,” she said in a near-whisper. “Haley, this is something I have to do. I have to take myself out of this equation. If only for a little while. And let things run their course.” “Does that mean…?” Haley’s brown eyes lit up hopefully. “It means I want EVERYONE to be sure of what they want. And when that happens…we’ll see,” she trailed off awkwardly as she saw Beth and Luis walking toward them. “Smile,” she breathed a reminder as they walked closer. “This is between us, okay? Haley?”

“Between us,” Haley squeezed her hand reluctantly. “For me, Haley,” she whispered softly as SHE advanced on them with a nervous smile on her lips. “Haley?” SHE ventured awkwardly. “Haley, I was wondering if you and your dad would like to join me this evening for dinner. We could go to your favorite place. Your choice. Whatever you want to do.” She WANTED to tell her dad EVERYTHING. So he wouldn’t ever let Sheridan go or fade to the background of their lives with HER arrival. But, she thought with a quick glance at Sheridan out of the corner of her eyes, she wouldn’t break her promise. NO matter how much she wanted to. “Okay,” she answered with a shrug of her shoulders, and SHE smiled. A smile of surprise. Her dad smiled. A smile of relief. Sheridan smiled. A smile of thanks. And she smiled herself. Just a tiny smile. Though her heart was breaking.

Chapter 25

Haley fidgeted uncomfortably in her chair. Her choice, huh? Then why…WHY…were they currently sticking out like sore thumbs at the Seascape? THE SEASCAPE! She’d really knock Aunt Theresa’s socks off with this admission, but geez, was she ever so thankful her ‘dim’, but mostly well-meaning twit of an aunt had annoyed her (to the point of considering strangulation tactics) and convinced her to wear this dress. Jeans were her first choice. Actually…shorts were ALWAYS her first choice. It was summer! Duh. When else could she traipse around in her favorite gear in HARMONY? It wasn’t everyday that was sure. Even her dad, who just looked plain AMAZING and handsome and… what in the whole wide world was he trying to do? Flash a neon sign that said ‘Come and get me…I’m available.’ Riiiiigghht. He was as available as…well, she couldn’t think of anyone. He was Sheridan’s, darnit. Although…blockhead that she was taking him for this evening…she wasn’t entirely sure he realized it yet. Even he was just a teeny weeny bit too CASUAL for this place. Who were they expecting? The Queen of England? She choked on her soda (man, was she ever shocked to see it on the menu!) when she saw Ivy walk through the front entrance, looking as regal as she pleased, on the arm of…THAT was Sheridan’s brother? No wonder Ivy looked like she was going to hurl.

“Haley,” SHE looked around to make sure no one had been witness to such an embarrassment, Haley theorized. “Are you okay?” her dad asked with genuine concern. “I’m…s’okay, Dad. I think it just went down the wrong way,” she managed a small smile for him. Tears still stinging her brown eyes. Her throat was STILL burning. The waiter arrived, the tray carrying their food high above his head (and why was that? He was just begging for somebody’s foot to sneak out from under their table and trip him, if you asked her). A ghost of a smile flitted across her lips as he very nearly dumped HER plate in her lap. Her dad arched a black brow at her in warning, but even he had to laugh at the wide-eyed, panicked expression on HER face. It was funny. Who wouldn’t laugh? Oh yeah, SHE wouldn’t. ‘Cause those stains wouldn’t come out too easily, would they? And then SHE couldn’t return that horrid, ugly pukey-green (fitting, wasn’t it?) dress that cost more than her dad’s paycheck tomorrow. It didn’t take X-ray vision to see the tag hanging out of the back of the gown. Really, Haley thought, rolling her eyes. Even Aunt Theresa was better at hiding her tags. She had it perfected to an art form.

If SHE wanted to impress Dad, THIS wasn’t the way to do it, Haley thought as a grin stretched across her face. That grin disappeared, though, the moment she actually got a good look at her plate. WHAT was THAT? EEEEWWWWW!!! Did it move? Did it actually just inch across her plate? “OH MY GOODNESS!” she shrieked, shoving the plate away violently as she leapt out of her seat. “There’s a…there’s a…” “Haley!” her dad was by her side in an instant. “Haley, what is it?” The plate fell from HER face (where it had conveniently landed…who said the Big Guy didn’t have a sense of humor?), and pasta noodles slithered down HER tomato sauce covered face. And her dad looked appropriately repulsed as Haley pointed at the offending THING. “Dad! Dad!” she screamed in a frenzy of panic. “There’s a…there’s a…YUCK! THERE’S A MAGGOT IN MY SPAGHETTI!!!” Haley whirled around to see people throughout the whole restaurant gag as one. Plates crashed against the floor, expensive wine spewed from several mouths, and one lady (let it be said…she’d looked to be LOONEY tunes from second one Haley had seen her) started screeching about a mouse being on the loose, hiked her skirt up, and jumped on top of her table.

Haley caught Ivy’s twinkling eye across the restaurant, and she would have laughed until her stomach ached at the sight of Julian Crane fainted dead away on the floor while disgusted people stampeded toward the nearest exits (over his prone body) had she not been otherwise occupied, and uh…she was still sick to her stomach. “Haley,” her dad groaned as he picked up the offending THING and dangled it in front of her. “It’s a caterpillar. NOT a maggot.” “So,” Haley shuddered. “It’s still a creepy-crawly in my food, Dad,” she whined. The pale-faced waiter returned, holding out his hand to receive the caterpillar, stammering, “I’m so…sorry. If you’ll just hand it over, I’ll destroy it. I’ll take care of the check.” “NO!” Haley shouted, glaring at the poor guy (well…she DID feel sorry for him, looking like he was going to pass out and join Julian on the floor any moment…but he couldn’t murder an innocent caterpillar). “Don’t kill it,” she said in a softer voice. “Don’t worry about the check, either,” she reassured him. “SHE’ll take care of it,” she nodded over her shoulder at HER.

“There you go,” she breathed with a smile, watching the caterpillar disappear into the shrubbery. Well…it was either that or the beach. She just hoped the little guy wouldn’t decide to catch anymore excitement (ha! In The Seascape?) anytime soon. She wouldn’t be around to save his…did caterpillars even…. She shook the silly thoughts free from her head, loosening Aunt Theresa’s painstakingly placed hair clippies (Who in the free world beside her aunt spent hours—HOURS—fixing their hair? Or anyone else’s for that matter?), and making long brown strands flutter in the ocean breeze. “You want to live to become a butterfly, don’t you?” she whispered. “Haley…” Ivy’s voice had Haley turning around and presenting her with a sheepish smile. “Are you sure you and that…thing…aren’t in cahoots?” she teased. “Yeah, right,” Haley laughed, looking over Ivy’s shoulder for… “Where’s Mr. Crane? Did you just leave him lying there?” Ivy shrugged her shoulders. “I’m sending the limo back for him. Which is more than he deserves I might add.” Haley’s giggles were infectious, and that’s how her dad and SHE found the pair…laughing and carefree.

“Where’s SHE going?” Haley asked her dad as they watched HER stomp off in a poorly-thrown fit (Haley KNEW fits…no question…you didn’t live your whole life with…okay, Dad was speaking…). “She thinks you set out to humiliate her on purpose because you hate her. So, Haley…does she think right? You haven’t even pretended to care about her, or for her feelings, did you…” “DAD!” Haley yelled, hurt at the very insinuation coming from her dad in her brown eyes. “How could you even think that? I don’t like her, but I’d…I didn’t know there was going to be a bug in my food, okay? Wouldn’t you scream, too? I mean, YOU wouldn’t,” she hastily said (how ridiculous…her dad wasn’t afraid of ANYTHING). “But wouldn’t you?” she asked Ivy. “I can’t say I would not,” Ivy admitted, a visible shudder passing through her body. “See, Dad?” Haley’s dark eyes flashed and her chin jutted out stubbornly. "This whole thing is just…tell her to stop trying so hard. It’s NOT working.”

“Haley,” her dad sighed. “Haley, I’m sorry. I never should have…I know you didn’t mean to…I don’t know what’s happening to me,” he finally said. “SHE’S happening to you,” Haley spat. “And I don’t like it. We were FINE without her, Dad. Perfect. She’s ruining things. I’m not going ANYWHERE with her. Ivy, will you…” “Haley,” her dad shook his head. “It’s okay, Luis,” Ivy smiled at him, placing a hand upon his arm. “I’ll make sure she gets home in one piece.” “Thank you…hey,” he said softly, grasping Haley’s chin and making her look at him. “I really AM sorry.” “It’s okay, Dad,” Haley whispered as she wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. “Things are just…weird right now.” “They’ll get better soon, Haley. I promise,” he told her with a smile. “It’s a good thing you keep your promises, or I’d have to…” Her dad chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately.

“Get this one home,” he smiled at Ivy. “I have something very important I have to do. Tell Grandma not to wait up for me.” Haley’s brown eyes widened at that statement. “What? Ivy, what do you think he meant? Dad! Oh no,” Haley cried as she watched her dad’s jeep drive away. With HER inside. “Ivy, he can’t leave with HER…don’t wait up!” Ivy clasped Haley’s hand in hers and spoke comforting nonsense as she led her to the limo. “Ivy, we have to go after them. Dad can’t…” “Watch out for your head, Haley,” Ivy smiled. “I can’t go home, Ivy…” “Don’t worry, Darling. I said I’d get you home in one piece. I didn’t say WHEN I’d get you home,” Ivy revealed with a smirk. “Oh, Ivy!” Haley exclaimed, flinging her arms about Ivy’s neck. “I LOVE YOU!”

Chapter 26

“Charles…” Haley rapped her knuckles against the dividing window at the front of the limo, and it whirred softly as it lowered, bringing her face to face with Ivy’s incredibly patient chauffeur. “Yes, Miss Haley?” his blue eyes met her brown ones in the rear view mirror. “Charles,” Haley leaned over Charles’s shoulder, her brown hair escaping the last of the awful clippies and brushing against the older gentleman’s cheek.

Charles smiled fondly at the girl, anticipating her question before another word left her frowning mouth. “It’s five minutes more than the last time you asked me, Miss Haley.” “Oh,” Haley replied in a deflated voice. “Thank you, Charles,” she said, offering him a small smile of gratitude. “No problem,” Charles answered as the window whirred again, and Haley was met with her own sour expression.

Ivy shook her head slightly, patting the leather seat beside her, as Haley’s shoulders slumped, and the frown on her lips turned to a scowl. “He’s been in there too long, Ivy. What can he possibly have to talk about with HER?” “Plenty,” Ivy murmured under her breath, careful not to let the young girl hear. “Haley, Darling…I’m sure it’s nothing so drastic as a marriage proposal…” Haley looked appropriately horrified. “Haley…” she smiled. “I was just kidding.” “Don’t even joke about THAT,” Haley grumbled as she slouched in the seat beside Ivy.

“She made me promise, you know,” Haley spoke several moments later, between restless glances at the Bed and Breakfast across the street. “And have you kept your promise?” Ivy asked, knowing without asking WHO Haley was talking about. “Haley, Dear,” Ivy said diplomatically. “I know this is something you don’t want to hear right now, but what Sheridan did…what she said…it’s in your best interest to at least give this woman a chance, and I think you’ll regret it if you don’t at least try.” “That’s what Sheridan said,” Haley frowned. “Are you two trying to double team me or something?”

“Mrs. Crane,” Charles’s voice made Haley jump in surprise. “Yes, Charles?” Ivy questioned. “Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald has exited the building, M’am. Would you like me to…” “Please, Charles,” Ivy requested. Haley clasped her hands in her lap in anticipation. The limo lurched forward, and soon they were tailing her dad, and it was like something out of the movies. COOL, Haley thought to herself, grinning. For the first fifteen minutes or so. “We’re going in circles. UH OH! Ivy! He knows! He knows we’re following him!” Sure enough, the next round trip they took, her dad was waving them forward, an amused (thank goodness he wasn’t mad was all Haley could think) smirk on his lips.

Charles slowed the limo to a stop. And Haley promptly hit the floor. Praying her dad didn’t see her, but then again…some of her most fervently asked prayers went unanswered. “Haley,” her dad said in a fake stern voice. “Find anything interesting?” he asked, and she could hear the laughter in his voice. This SO wasn’t funny. “Uh, uh, hey Dad!” she waved, her cheeks flaming. “I was just looking for Ivy’s contact. Yeah, that’s what I was doing. She thinks she lost it somewhere over here,” she explained, knowing he didn’t buy it for one second. Although Ivy did put on a good show, squinting and winking furiously at her dad. Haley’d give her four stars if she didn’t keep switching eyes.

“Oh, Dear,” Ivy’s mouth made an ‘O’ as she realized her mistake. “I think I’ve lost the other one, too.” “You can stop the act,” her dad laughed, crossing his arms about his chest. “I’m not buying it. Haley, what do you have to say for yourself?” “Um…um,” Haley stammered. “She didn’t want to go home yet so I asked Charles just to drive us around.” “And around and around,” Haley nodded her head vigorously, scrambling to her feet and giving her dad an earnest look. “I’m so glad you stopped us, Dad. I was getting kind of dizzy,” Haley told him, staggering forward and grabbing onto Ivy for support.

“Haley…get out of the limo.” “She’s not in trouble is she, Luis?” Ivy asked him with a hand on his arm. The other wrapped around Haley’s waist. “No,” Luis said slowly. “Not this time. But next time…” “Whew!” Haley brushed her hair back from her face in relief. That was close! Way too close. “Thanks, Dad. Bye Ivy,” she breathed as she hugged Ivy in goodbye, then stepped out of the door her dad held open for her. “Bye, Darling!” Ivy waved as the limo slowly pulled away. They could hear Ivy giving Charles instructions to swing back around to the Seascape to pick up Mr. Crane, and Haley and her dad shared a laugh.

“You’re not mad?” Haley questioned with watchful brown eyes as her dad turned the key in the jeep’s ignition. “No, Haley. I’m not. I’m still hungry, aren’t you? What do you think Sheridan likes on her pizza?” Haley positively beamed at his question. “What are you waiting for?” he teased, handing her his cell phone. Haley punched in the numbers with a grin. Sheridan didn’t count on her dad wanting to see her. Maybe things weren’t so dire after all.

Chapter 27

“I don’t know, Haley. Maybe this isn’t such a good idea. It’s late, and we didn’t call…” “Dad!” Haley exclaimed, rolling her brown eyes. “It’s not that late. I never call. And this is a fantastic idea,” she grinned. “Now go on. Knock on the door.” Grown-ups, she thought, shaking her head as her dad raised an unsure hand to the door. He had to like Sheridan. He’d never acted so silly about a woman before. Wait. It wasn’t like she had too many examples to draw experience from. Nope. Grandma said Dad only brought girls that he REALLY liked home with him. Hmm. He must really be a monk. She hadn’t seen…”Delivery!” she chirped, presenting her boxes of pizza when a certain someone opened the door. There it was! There was that smile that just refused to be tamped down whenever her dad looked at Sheridan. She was so proud of him. He’d really come a long way.

“Luis! Haley! I wasn’t expecting…” The smile fell, and Haley resisted the urge to kick her dad in the shin. The puppy dog pout was hers! All hers! “I just LOVE your pajamas!” Haley beamed. Oh, she felt SO evil. Sheridan’s face was all flamey-red, and she was crossing her arms around her bare belly. But honestly…the little white stars and…and…”You look so cute!” Haley told her, shoving the pizza boxes at her dad and wrapping her arms around Sheridan’s waist. Sheridan’s nose wrinkled up, and she started laughing at the whole situation. “I’m so sorry. Come in,” she stepped aside for her dad to enter. “I’m sorry…this is a bad time…Haley was wrong…we should have called,” her dad babbled nervously. Okay. WHO was the adult here? “No!” Sheridan’s hand darted out to grab her dad’s arm. “What I meant to say…” she ducked her blond head in embarrassment. “There’s no bad time when it comes to seeing Haley…and you,” she added in a slightly shy whisper. “Should have called? Who does that anymore?” she kidded. “Please come in. I’d love the company.” “Dad!” Haley groaned, giving her dad a hard tug when it seemed like he was rooted to the ground.

“I’ll get the plates. Do you want anything to drink?” Sheridan asked, padding toward her kitchen on bare feet. “You,” Haley grinned, grabbing Sheridan by the arm before she could go any further. “Sit,” she ordered, walking Sheridan back over to the couch where her dad was already seated. “I’ll get the drinks.” “What about the…you might need some help…” Sheridan tried to get up again, but Haley pushed her back down with a shake of her head. “Tell her, Dad,” Haley called out over her shoulder as she disappeared into the kitchen. “Plates?” she could hear her dad’s teasing voice. “Who needs plates? You just pick it up…” She bit back a giggle when she poked her dark head around the corner, watching her dad give Sheridan a free demonstration. Sheridan was laughing as he brought the oooey gooey cheesy slice to her lips, and she barely managed to take a bite. “…and take a bite,” he smiled, handing her the piece of pizza in his hand and reaching for another. “Good?” he asked, mumbling around his own mouthful. “Good,” Sheridan agreed. GRRRROOOSSSSS! Didn’t Grandma ever teach them not to talk with their mouths full?

“Hey! No fair! You started without me!” she complained, setting the tray of drinks onto the coffee table. “Scoot over, Dad,” she ordered, hands on hips. “That’s my spot. Dad…” She almost had to laugh. Her dad SO didn’t want to give up his place beside Sheridan. It took him FOREVER to make a move. And a reluctant move at that. Hey! She wanted Sheridan and her dad to hook up more than anything. But there a time and a place for everything, and this time, this place…She wanted to sit by Sheridan! When her dad woke up and smelled the coffee, he could sit by Sheridan all he wanted. Her piece of pizza was mere centimeters from her mouth when Sheridan’s voice reached her ears. “Haley, that’s such a pretty dress. I’m sure you don’t want to…would you like to change? I’m sure I have SOMETHING in my bedroom.” The pizza seemed to hang in the air for several minutes while Haley pondered the offer. “Sure. Be right back, Dad,” she smiled at him, handing the pizza over to him.

“I love your room,” she gushed, twirling around to take it all in. “Thanks,” Sheridan’s voice was muffled as she scoured her closet, finally withdrawing a faded tee-shirt and a pair of shorts. “I don’t think there’s any hope of the shorts fitting you,” she laughed, tossing them onto her bed. It was an awful big bed, Haley thought. Especially for one person. “But this shirt’s pretty big on ME. I don’t think we have a problem there.” Haley took the gray tee-shirt from her hands, bringing it up to her nose. She sighed as Sheridan slowly undid the buttons at her back. The shirt smelled just like Sheridan’s perfume. “Thank you,” she said, her voice a soft whisper. “No problem,” Sheridan answered. Haley could hear the smile in her voice, and it made her feel all warm inside. Happy. “It took Aunt Theresa hours to get them all buttoned.” “Really?” Sheridan murmured conversationally, helping Haley step out of the dress. Haley’s dark head disappeared as she slid her arms through the sleeves. She hugged the soft worn material around her body, smiling at Sheridan. Sheridan smiled back. The shirt skirted her tanned knees. “I’ll just hang your dress up in here until you decide to leave,” Sheridan told her.

When they got back to the living room, her dad had already made himself more comfortable, unbuttoning quite a few buttons and giving Sheridan more than a little tanned skin and muscle to drool over in awkward, sneaky glances when she thought he wasn’t looking. Like Haley didn’t witness every single look! To be perfectly honest, it weirded her out a little. But she wasn’t stupid. Who said kids were dumb? So Sheridan thought her dad was hot. So what? She was used to it. She couldn’t keep track of the number of times women had been struck dumb with one glance at her dad. It happened. It was normal. She lived with it nearly every day. But…she was going to have to figure out a way to tell all those other women to back off. She reasoned the best way to do that was to permanently attach Sheridan to his side. From the looks of things tonight, her dad was going to make it easy for her. At least she hoped he was. “What about a movie?” she suggested, with a shrug of her shoulders. “Haley…” her dad tried to protest. A puny protest if you asked her. She could tell he was up for ANYTHING that meant spending more time around Sheridan. Call it daughter’s intuition. “Luis…it’s okay. I want you to stay. If you want to stay,” she added quickly. “What movies do you have?” her dad said by way of an answer. Sheridan dazzled him with a smile. “Take your pick,” she said, standing up and showing them her selection. “WOW!” Haley exclaimed, sliding to the floor in amazement.

After a great debate, they ended up putting “Now and Then” into the VCR. Her dad complained, made the usual noises about it being a chick flick, but Haley knew he enjoyed it. No matter how much it scared him to think any of the girls on-screen could actually be her someday. Growing up and stuff. She had news for her dad. She was already growing up. Right under his nose. She snuggled close to Sheridan, tucking her head beneath her chin with a sigh of contentment. There were a few times during the movie where her dad got REALLY, REALLY embarrassed. He even covered her eyes with his hand when the girls caught the guys skinny-dipping and stole their clothes. Like she didn’t expect THAT. But Sheridan floored her by covering her ears at a very precise moment. Baby much? She wasn’t a baby! She was a woman. Well…not quite a woman. But a teenager. Well…not really a teenager either. Preteen sounded too…childish. Ugh! She wasn’t a baby! She knew about S-E-X and stuff. Although…she had serious doubts about trusting her source. Aunt Theresa giggled like it was the funniest thing in the world, and it just didn’t…Grandma said there was nothing funny about it. Deciding to be with a guy…that way…was a very important decision to make and you really had to be sure and…Aunt Theresa was so immature, Haley decided, rolling her eyes behind her dad’s hand. A smile blossomed on her lips when his hand fell away, and Sheridan’s hands were no longer covering her ears. They were acting just like PARENTS! Then she frowned. She wasn't a baby!

The movie ended, and somehow, she was able to coax her dad into staying a little while longer. They ate more pizza, played a few rounds of cards (Sheridan and her against her dad…they won each hand!), and watched some more TV. Her dad and Sheridan’s faces got fuzzier and fuzzier as the night wore on, and their voices started sounding far away. Sheridan’s arms around her made her feel safe, and Haley vaguely remembered mumbling “I love you” into Sheridan’s shoulder as she wrapped her arms around her neck and burrowed her face in the crook of her neck. She remembered protesting when her dad tried to wake her, and being elated when Sheridan tightened her arms around her, giving her a gentle kiss on the forehead. Their hushed words ran together, and she didn’t worry when she heard HER name mentioned or something about tomorrow because she was where she wanted to be. Where she belonged. She felt herself being lifted by strong arms, and the next thing she knew she was in Sheridan’s bed. That awfully big bed. And she blinked heavy lids open to see her dad was tucking the covers around her shoulders, and a soft light glowed, painting pale shadows across the unfamiliar room. “Dad?” she murmured sleepily, cupping her dad’s cheek and looking into his dark eyes. “Shh,” he shushed her. Brushing her hair back from her forehead with a loving hand and giving her a reassuring smile. “You’re going to stay here. With Sheridan. I’ll be by in the morning.” She slipped her arms around her dad’s neck and squeezed, sighing as he lowered her back down to the soft mattress. “I love you, Daddy.” “I love you, too,” he whispered with one last gentle kiss to her cheek. She exhaled softly and her eyes drifted shut on two shadowy figures telling each other goodnight. Moments later the mattress shifted under Sheridan’s added weight, and Haley curled herself around the warm body. One of Sheridan’s hands came up to idly stroke her hair while the other twined with Haley’s seeking fingers, and her soft humming lulled them both to peaceful state. And Haley’s truest feelings and desires were revealed in a soft whisper…

“I love you…Mom.”

Part Three