Free Love Enough For Two (Love Inspired) by Cynthia Rutledge Page B

happened to Maddie…
    “She’s fine,” Peggy said as if she could read her daughter’s thoughts. “Aren’t you, pumpkin? Tell Mommy you’re filled to the brim with ice cream and cake.”
    Maddie smiled broadly, showing a missing front tooth. “’N punch.”
    “Punch, too?” Sierra tried to join in the spirit, but the fear had left her drained.
    Maddie nodded happily.
    Sierra cast her mother a questioning glance. Though she didn’t mind her daughter having a treat now and then, it sounded as if tonight had been a junk-food feast.
    Peggy rose to her feet and straightened her skirt.
    For the first time Sierra noticed her mother was dressed in the new skirt and blouse she’d bought last weekend.
    “Maddie and I went to Frank and Lynn’s anniversary party tonight,” her mother said in response to Sierra’s questioning glance. “They were going to celebrate on the weekend, but their plans changed. Her sister is leaving town earlier than expected so they changed the party to tonight.”
    Her mother had been Lynn’s maid of honor thirty-some years ago and they were still good friends. Guilt sluiced through Sierra. She’d never have asked her mother to baby-sit if she’d known tonight was Lynn’s anniversary celebration. “You should have told me—”
    Her mother cut her off, casting a pointed glance at Maddie. “Everyone was glad to see Maddie. You would have been so proud of her. She was very well-behaved.”
    “I said please and thank you,” Maddie said. “And I ate my cake with my fork.”
    The little girl made the announcement with such emphasis that Sierra knew her mother must have coached her and then praised her extravagantly for her efforts.
    Thank you, God.
    The prayer of thanks was for both of the women in her life. God had truly blessed her. Though her life hadn’t been without trials, she’d had her mother’s love and support every step of the way. And now her mother was showering the same unending supply of love on Maddie.
    “Sounds like you girls had a fun evening,” Sierra said, emotion making her voice huskier than normal.
    “We did.” Peggy moved across the room to stand close to her daughter. “A busy day and a fun evening. But now we’re both tuckered out.”
    It was only eight-thirty. Sierra knew her mother rarely went to bed before midnight, but Maddie’s eyes were already drooping.
    “I want to play another game.” Maddie whined, dropping back to her knees and shoving the Candy Land board aside.
    Sierra’s gaze met her mother’s and they exchanged a knowing look.
    “Maddie’s already had her bath and brushed her teeth,” her mother said in a low tone. “She’s exhausted but won’t admit it.”
    Sierra took note of her daughter’s petulant expression. It looked like bedtime was going to be a struggle. She heaved a resigned sigh and turned her attention back to her mother. “I’m sorry you had to take her—”
    Peggy laid her hand on Sierra’s arm.
    “Not another word,” Peggy ordered in that same no-nonsense tone she’d used on her when Sierra had been Maddie’s age. “I was happy to have her. Some of my friends hadn’t seen her in a while and this gave me a chance to show her off.”
    The pride in her mother’s voice warmed Sierra’s heart. “She’s a good girl.”
    “Yes, she is,” her mother said.
    “Can you stay for a cup of coffee?” Sierra asked. “I’d love to hear all about the party.”
    “I wish I could.” A tinge of true regret laced Peggy’s tone. “But if I stay, Maddie won’t want to go to bed.”
    “I can’t find it.” The urgent whine over a missing board piece told Sierra that Maddie was rapidly approaching meltdown.
    “You’re right.” Sierra blew out a disappointed breath. Though she and her mother were close as sisters and talked every day, Sierra hadn’t seen her mother as much since the switch. Impulsively she gave her mother a quick hug. “Thanks so much for watching her.”
    “We had a lovely time,” Peggy