The Summer of Our Discontent (29 page)

“I’ve always wondered why you and Faith didn’t find each other sooner. There was just too much tension between the two of you for there not to be a spark.”

“Do you like her?” Rachel asked with a sniff.

“I’ve always liked Faith even when you two were knocking the daylights out of each other. I’ve watched her grow up right along with you. She’s a good woman, she has a good heart. And anyone that would go after a snake armed only with an oven mitt and a pair of tongs for my sake is a winner in my book.”

“She’s a little crazy, but I love her.”

Bev reached up and stroked the side of Rachel’s face. “I’m happy for you.”

*******

“Oh, wow, you’re here early,” Faith said with a grin as she walked into her kitchen the next morning and saw Kaycee perched on a barstool. She kissed her on top of the head, then did the same to Sophie.

“Momma said for me to tell you to come see her when you got home. Aunt Patty said for me to stay here because she’s taking me and Sophie somewhere.”

“That’s right,” Patty said as she walked in. “We’re getting haircuts today.” She gave Faith a little shove. “You won’t be joining us. Better do what Rachel says and get out of here right now.”

“Thanks, sis,” Faith said warmly as she headed for the back door.

“You don’t have your radio with you, do you?”

“Shut up, Patty,” Faith said as she shut the door behind her. She couldn’t get to Rachel’s house fast enough and grinned when she saw her in the doorway waiting on her.

“Good morning,” Rachel said with a smile and took her hand. “Are you tired?”

“Exhausted. I barely slept at all because I wanted to be here.”

Rachel grinned as she began to walk backward, towing Faith along. “I’m sorry. You can have a nap later today. I’ve got enough stamina for the both of us right now.”

“You don’t want to have breakfast first?”

“Later.” Rachel closed the bedroom door behind them. “Much later.”

“Are you about to show me your rabbit?”

Epilogue

One year later…

“Come on, Faith, we’re late. Move it!” Rachel yelled as she hefted another bag into the living room. “We’re always late. I hate that.”

“Did you take out the trash?” Faith called out from the bedroom.

“I thought you did it.”

“You said you were going to.”

“Shit.” Rachel stomped into the kitchen, grabbed the bag from the can, and took it outside.

She marched back in and was about to wash her hands when Faith yelled out, “Did you put the can at the street? You know Patty will forget.”

“Shit.” Rachel hauled the trash to the curb and returned to find that Faith still wasn’t ready. “You’re killing me!”

“Would you chill out? The camp bus isn’t going to leave us.” Faith walked into the living room wearing a pair of shorts and a sports bra and added another bag to the pile.

“Where’s your shirt? I put it on the bed. You found your shorts. How’d you miss a whole shirt?”

“I’m hot. I was gonna put it on last.”

Rachel stamped her foot. “What more do you have to do?”

Faith walked over and grabbed her by the shoulders. “Do you remember what caused us to be late?”

Rachel huffed and smiled. “You were especially acrobatic this morning. That rocked.”

“If you want to enjoy those stunts again, don’t stamp your foot at me.” She grinned and kissed Rachel quickly. “Did you pack the bug spray?”

Rachel’s face fell. “I thought you did it.”

Faith rolled her eyes and went off to find her shirt. “Go find it,” she called over her shoulder.

Rachel stamped her foot. “Shit!”

Faith ran back into the living room and hoisted as many bags as she could carry. “Get the door, baby.”

Rachel opened it and grabbed the remaining bags. “Now where are the kids?”

“Oh, my God. Get in the truck, Rachel. I’ll find them.”

“Shit!”

The door slammed, sending the pictures hanging on the living room wall askew. Silently, the faces smiled back at the empty room. Kaycee and Sophie sporting new short haircuts with ice cream all over their faces, the infamous one of Faith fixing Rachel’s hair. The largest was of Faith and Rachel snarling at each other. The small brass tag on the frame beneath it read,
The Summer of our Discontent
.

About the Author

Robin Alexander is the author of the Goldie Award-winning
Gloria’s Secret
and thirteen other novels for Intaglio Publications—
Gloria’s Inn
,
Gift of Time
,
The Taking of Eden, Love’s Someday, Pitifully Ugly, Undeniable, A Devil in Disguise, Half to Death, Gloria’s Legacy, A Kiss Doesn’t Lie, The Secret of St. Claire, Magnetic
and
The Lure of White Oak Lake
.

She was also a 2013 winner of the Alice B Readers Appreciation Award, which she considers a true feather in her cap.

Robin spends her days working with the staff of Intaglio and her nights with her own writings. She still manages to find time to spend with her partner, Becky, and their three dogs and four cats.

You can reach her at
[email protected]
. You can visit her Web site at
www.robinalexanderbooks.com
and find her on Facebook.