Free Dare to Love Again (The Heart of San Francisco Book #2): A Novel by Julie Lessman

face screwed in thought. “Can I ask a favor?”
    “Absolutely!” Alli stooped to brush a curl behind her ear. “What is it, sweetheart?”
    Hope literally glowed on the little tyke’s face. “Could you call me Miss Lottie Da like Mr. Nick calls you? I like the sound when he says it.”
    Alli bit her lip, slipping a tentative peek Cassie’s way.
    “Miss La-di- da?” her cousin mouthed again, angling a brow.
    A sigh feathered Allison’s lips . If you’re trying to get my attention, Lord—good job. “Yes, sweetheart, I’ll be happy to,” she said quietly, praying Cassie wouldn’t mention it to Mother on the ride home. Not after the fuss her mother made over making a good impression on Nick Ga-roan. “Come on, sweetie, I need to get you home.” Allison steered her toward the hall, gaze flicking over her shoulder. “You better hurry, Cass—Mother and Hadley are waiting in the car, and I’m sure Miss Merdian and Miss Tuttle are long gone too.”
    Cassie stifled a yawn as she followed Allison out. “Yes, Miss Merdian had to practically carry poor Miss Tuttle out.” A wry grin tipped her lips. “God bless Miss Tuttle, but I’m not sure a retired teacher with a tic in her eye is up to handling twenty rambunctious girls.”
    “At least it’s not all at the same time,” Allison reasoned, ushering Lottie down the hall to the back porch, where she stopped to give her cousin a side hug. “I’m sorry I’m not joining you tonight for the dress fittings and dinner, Cass, but I have so much to do, I wouldn’t be much fun. Besides,” she said with a bit of a smirk, “my bridesmaid dress already fits perfectly.”
    Cassie pinched her waist. “Yes it does, you little brat, but don’t stay too late, you hear?”
    “I won’t.” Alli steered Lottie down the steps and through the yard to Miss Penny’s. “I promised Mother I’d leave well before dark.”
    “Good. And lock the door when you get back,” Cassie called,tossing a smile over her shoulder on her way to the back alley where the Packard was parked. “Good night, La-di-da!”
    “Good night, Miss Cassie.” Lottie waved, then chatted on and on about Allison’s least favorite subject—Mr. Nick—forcing Allison to stifle a groan. Really, Lord, could you be any more obvious? Guiding Lottie around the neatly trimmed boxwoods that lined a short flagstone walk, she sucked in a deep breath. With a square of her shoulders, she mounted the wooden steps to Miss Penny’s screened porch that led to the kitchen, praying Mr. Nick was nowhere in sight.
    “Miss McClare—hello!” Miss Penny herself answered the door with a bright smile while an elderly bull terrier stood behind her, apparently sizing Alli up. The mouthwatering smell of beef stew bubbling on the stove caused Allison’s stomach to growl along with the dog. “For goodness’ sake, Horatio, Miss McClare is a friend.” The old woman tugged them inside for a warm hug while two older girls bustled in the kitchen with Mrs. Lemp. “I appreciate you allowing Lottie to stay and help. I hope she wasn’t any trouble.”
    “Oh, absolutely not, Miss Penny—Lottie was a godsend, I assure you.” Allison stooped to embrace the little girl before kissing her cheek. “Thank you so much, sweetheart, for all your help today. Goodness, I’d still be sharpening pencils if you hadn’t volunteered.”
    Lottie preened, her little chest puffed out like the “pouter pigeon” Gibson Girl blouses both Miss Penny and Allison wore. “I know,” she said with a serious nod.
    Alli couldn’t resist another hug. “Well, I guess we’ll see you tomorrow, then, Miss Lottie. Good night, Miss Pen—” She paused midsentence when Lottie tugged on her skirt.
    “You forgot to use my new name, Miss Alli,” she whispered loudly.
    Allison gulped, eyes flitting from Lottie to Miss Penny andback. “Oh.” She forced a smile. “All right, then, I’ll see you, tomorrow Miss . . . ,” her throat bobbed again,