Page 127 (2/2)

"So, you want to help me?"

"Sure "

Kate took care not to react too sharply to that Although she wanted to grin and say how happy she was, she sihter into the house and then into the kitchen Shed learned a few things in the last turbulent year about dealing with preteen girls While they were virtual roller coasters of emotion, you needed to be calm, always

For the next three hours they worked side by side in the big country-style kitchen Kate reether and showed her how to grease a cookie sheet the old-fashioned way They talked about little things, this and that; nothing i the scene like a hunter Instinctively, she knehen the tiht Theyd just frosted the last of the cookies and were stacking the dirty dishes by the sink when Kate said, "You want to make another batch? We could take them over to Ashleys house "

Marah went very still "No," she said in a voice almost too quiet to be heard

"But Ash loves them Remember when—"

"She hates ates opened Tears gathered in her eyes

"Did you two have a fight?"

"I dont know "

"How can you not know?"

"I just dont, okay?" Marah burst into tears and turned away

Kate lunged for her daughter, grabbed her sleeve, and pulled her into a fierce hug "Iht here, Marah," she whispered

Marah hugged her tightly "I dont knohat I did wrong," she wailed, sobbing

"Sshh," Kate hters hair as if she were still little When Marahs crying finally subsided, Kate drew back just enough to look down at her "Sometimes life is—"

Behind theed open The twins burst into the house, yelling at each other, ht Johnny ca thelass of water that shouldnt have been left there The sound of shattering glass rang through the room