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What the week did do was show Lacey how much her sister loved her She knew, anyway, but, still, it filled her heart, and broke it, too, to see Kacey trying so hard to be invisible Didn’t matter what she wore in the makeup or clothes department, didn’t matter what she did with her hair, Kacey entered a room with her eyes open and people were drawn to her

It wasn’t her fault There was nothing either of them could do about it

Maturity had brought that knowledge to Lacey’s heart

Moving away, having a life of her ohere the two of the compared, where she wasn’t always seen side by side with her sister, had been her way of dealing with reality Of finding her own peace Her sense of self and a chance to be truly happy

And a chance to let Kacey be happy, too Feeling guilt for so the one as a part of you fro you could ever be at peace with

Jened city permit forms Twice that week Kacey had pushed the two of the, screens, paint swatches, while Kacey entertained Levi at Lacey’s house

She’d chattered about the house Asking questions about the fra electric Keeping her mind focused so it didn’t run aith her

He cooperated nicely Answering questions Explaining in detail—with utestions, based on what she said she wanted, not on his own tastes

She didn’t even know his own tastes

Or anything new about him Other than that he was a very patient eable about his business

And that was as it should be

They didn’t mention Levi She couldn’t Not for any ethical reason, but because it didn’t feel right to her, discussing a foration He didn’t enerally went on and on about their youngsters, finding every normal developmental advancement a miracle and oftentimes accomplished better than anyone had ever done it before

She put his reticence down to the fact that she’d represented a chance that Levi could be taken away frolad for a chance tothe sense of normalcy that Jem wanted her to know existed within the walls of his home

“How long is your sister staying?” He broke protocol—asking a personal question—as they left the ho Thursday night, after she’d beenhome He’d wanted her to take a look at retractable shades, and to consider s, as well, for the two screened sides of the new room, so that she could use the space year-round

He’d already talked her into including a heating duct She’d have to have heat and air to include the square footage in her home’s value assessment