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just made my day.”
    â€œHow did I do that?”
    â€œWell, for a little while there, I was worried about you. But if you can get this excited over a bread machine, you’re going to do just fine.”
    Lily now laughed a little too, hoping as she did that Bailey’s prediction would turn out to be true.

Chapter Five

    â€œSo have you eaten anything?”
    â€œActually, I haven’t.”
    Taking pity on Lily, Bailey began to make her a sandwich but soon found out she was not easily distracted.
    â€œIs this some of the bread from the machine?” Lily asked when Bailey set a ham-and-cheese sandwich, chips, and a sliced apple in front of her.
    â€œThat’s the stuff.”
    Lily examined the bread on her sandwich as though she were conducting an experiment. Bailey watched her, knowing she had to be hungry, and now understanding why the younger woman was so thin.
    Lily, completely unaware of her scrutiny, finally picked up the sandwich and started to eat.
    â€œOh, this is good.”
    â€œThank you. How about something to drink?”
    â€œOh, yes, please. Anything will be fine.”
    Bailey, who had taken a place at the small kitchen table with Lily, stood and got her a large glass of milk. She had just set the milk on the table when the door opened. It was Evan.
    â€œI have a little boy here who wants to bid you ladies good night.”
    Peter ran to his mother’s arms, and Bailey cuddled him close.
    â€œGood night, Mama.”
    â€œGood night, sweetheart. I love you.”
    â€œI love you too.”
    Lily’s eyes were down, so she knew the exact moment that Peter came to her. She smiled into his eyes, and he smiled back.
    â€œGood night, Lily.”
    â€œGood night, Peter, and thank you for inviting me to watch Winnie the Pooh videos with you.”
    â€œWe can watch more tomorrow.”
    â€œI would like that.”
    Peter surprised Lily by reaching up to give her a hug too, but she recovered swiftly enough to hug him back and then watched as he went out the door.
    â€œHe’s precious,” she said to Bailey as soon as they were alone.
    The mother laughed a little and admitted, “I certainly think so.”
    â€œWill Celia not come to say good night?”
    â€œShe’s already down. She was grouchy and unthankful today, and as part of her punishment she was sent to bed early.”
    Lily smiled as she remembered the little girl telling her not to sit on the sofa. Sin was never funny, but Celia was so cute that Lily couldn’t contain herself.
    â€œYou’re laughing at something,” Bailey said. She had continued to watch Lily.
    â€œCelia didn’t want me to sit next to her on the sofa today. It’s so hard not to smile at her. She’s so cute, even when she’s cross.”
    â€œYes, she is,” Bailey agreed and then shook her head. “We’re trying to break the strong attachment she has to her thumb. We let her suck it if she’s sleepy, but not if she’s upset with us or crabby about something. You’ll see as you get to know her that she knows exactly when she can have her thumb. When she knows she can’t have it, and we’re in the room, she puts her other hand over her mouth to try to cover up what she’s doing. It’s hysterical, but we can’t laugh at her.”
    Lily laughed at the demonstration Bailey gave. She could just imagine Celia doing that, and Lily was certain the other woman was right: She was going to want to laugh.
    â€œHow are you doing?” Bailey surprised her by suddenly asking.
    â€œI’m all right, thank you.”
    Bailey leaned a little closer. “How are you really doing, Lily?”
    Lily fiddled with one of the chips on her plate and then picked up an apple slice. At last she looked back to Bailey.
    â€œI told Jefferson I wanted him to be proud of me, but I’m not sure he would be.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    Lily sighed.