Free House of Dreams by Brenda Joyce Page B

raced. “Look at me. Always with my nose in a book.”
    They smiled tentatively at one another.
    â€œSo when are you leaving?” Cass asked, not breathing.
    â€œI’ve booked tickets for the eighth. And frankly, I don’t know when I’m going to come back,” Tracey said.
    Cass’s heart felt as if it had lurched to a stop. She found it difficult to breathe—Tracey had just admitted what Cass was afraid of. “Tracey, Alyssa starts school the last week of August. On the thirtieth, to be exact.”
    Tracey waved at her. “I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Don’t worry, she won’t miss school.”
    Cass felt the tension riddling her body. Should she believe her? No good has ever come of the families being involved. Cass could practically see Tracey and Antonio, with Alyssa between them, strolling down the block of some quaint Spanish village, just like a real family. “Tracey, have you thought about what it will be like, taking care of a child all by yourself for most of the summer? I mean, you can’t go out to dinner with Antonio and leave the kids behind by themselves. Whenever you want to go out, you will have to hire a baby-sitter.”
    â€œI’ll hire a nanny when I get there. Full-time. I already thought about it, Cass,” Tracey said with a smile.
    Cass was alarmed. “You have to check the person’s references thoroughly. You have no idea how rotten some nannies are!”
    â€œYou’re really worried,” Tracey said, appearing somewhat amused.
    And Cass felt her eyes grow moist. “I love her so much. And we
both know you’re not good at taking care of her. Little kids need so much. They can act and sound like adults, but they’re children, with frightened, needy hearts that crave love and attention.”
    â€œI’m not changing my mind,” Tracey said flatly, unsmiling. “Alyssa is coming. She’ll have a great summer. Eduardo’s a very nice boy. I’m certain they’ll be friends.”
    Cass stared, sweating. “I could come. I could take care of the kids while you and Antonio do whatever it is that the two of you like to do.”
    Tracey looked at her, eyes wider now, and then she laughed, shaking her head. “No. I don’t think so. The whole point is for Antonio to see that I can be a good mother. If you come, he’ll see how great you are with kids and how lousy I am. No bloody chance.” She shook her head again.
    Cass crossed her arms. “I knew there had to be an angle,” she said recklessly, ignoring the voice within her that told her not to take this tack. “So this is what this holiday is about? Using Alyssa to shore up your relationship with your boyfriend?”
    â€œI am not using Alyssa,” Tracey said fiercely. “And who said anything about shoring up my relationship? Antonio is in love with me, in case you haven’t noticed.”
    â€œSo what’s new?” Cass retorted. “He’s only number one hundred and fifty-six. Or is it two hundred and fifty-six?”
    Tracey paled. Then her face turned red. “Get out.”
    Cass jumped. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled-for. It’s just—”
    â€œNo. You meant it. You are so hoity-toity—as if you’re better than me because you’re just like Aunt Catherine, an aging old maid who’s practically a virgin. God, it’s so sad! What is there to be proud of?”
    Cass stepped backward, her heart pumping hard now. Her fists clenched. “Maybe I’m proud to be Alyssa’s real mother, being as her biological mother is too busy scoring new lovers to bother with her very own daughter.”
    â€œJust get out, Cass, before I have you thrown out,” Tracey flashed out dangerously.
    Cass did not move. “What gives you the right to come into our lives and wreck them? What gives you the right to decide how Alyssa spends her summer? She