Read Online His-And-Hers Family by Bonnie K. Winn - Free Book Online Page B

them apart since the second day. She couldn’t have explained how she knew, but it was something in the eyes, and their expressions. They were disappointed that the switching act didn’t work. Apparently, they’d used it successfully on past housekeepers. Yet she had a sneaking suspicion that they were secretly pleased that she paid enough attention to them to tell them apart. Despite their swaggering bravado, they were still only nine years old and in desperate need of attention.
    The relationship between Jimmy Ray and Kevin was a difficult one. A year older than the more sophisticated Kevin, Jimmy Ray resented the other boy’s superior attitude. And Kevin enjoyed needling Jimmy Ray, reminding him at every opportunity that he was a hick. Because Cassie had asked him to keep the peace, Jimmy Ray chose to retreat to the computer Blake had assured him was his, rather than fight. But Cassie knew her oldest son was about to blow if Kevin kept up his taunts.
    Katherine Ann was the only one who was able to get along with them all. Treating the twins much as she did David John, she regarded them as little more than a nuisance—tike the bane of one’s existence that was any younger brother. And, oddly, Kevin didn’t treat Katherine Ann the same way he did Jimmy Ray. While he wasn’t overly friendly, he didn’t go out of his way to torment her.
    Reflecting on all this one afternoon, Cassie stirred a bowl of cookie dough, adding more chocolate chips. It was still too early to tell whether they could all get along peaceably. One thing continued to amaze her. Even though he was half a world away, Blake had called only once to check on his children, and then he’d sounded distracted.
    Frowning into the mixing bowl, Cassie added more nuts, as well. True, she had Blake’s itinerary, but she had thought he would want more contact with his children. Beneath their tough attitudes, she sensed, they were crying out for attention. Not ready yet to take that attention from her, the boys clung to their rebellious ways.
    Hearing the back door open, Cassie smiled at David John and the twins. Though certainly not yet friends, the three had come to an uneasy alliance. Since the older kids got home later, they tolerated one another in the early afternoons.
    “Whatcha making, Mama?” David John asked, climbing on a tall bar stool to watch.
    “Cookies... chocolate chip.”
    The twins edged a bit closer. She knew it was their favorite. She’d also discovered that they usually filled up on candy and chips. By stocking up on fruit, yogurt and healthier snacks, she was trying to subtly change their habits.
    “Make you guys a deal. Do your homework at the table in here, and when you’re finished we’ll have hot cookies.”
    Todd licked his lips in anticipation, but Mark frowned. “I’m hungry now .”
    She tossed him an apple. “That should hold you.”
    He still looked disgruntled, but in a moment she noticed that he was biting into the fruit. While she knew David John would complete his homework, whether in the kitchen or in his room, the twins weren’t as dependable. Left to their own devices, they would watch TV in their rooms and then mumble evasively about their homework.
    Backpacks hit the breakfast room table, and the top was quickly covered with books and papers as they settled in to work. And in a short while, they were busily finishing homework, spurred on by the aroma of fragrant cookies filling the air.
    The twins might be sophisticated city kids, but a chocolate chip cookie was a pretty effective equalizer. They all munched contentedly, matching milk mustaches decorating their upper lips.
    Cassie had been horrified to learn that the Matthews children drank soda instead of milk. She wondered why all their teeth hadn’t fallen out. There had been plenty of grumbling at first, but nothing washed down a freshly baked cookie like a glass of milk.
    “I’m making Chinese food tonight,” Cassie told the boys as they finished the