Free The Word Game by Steena Holmes Page A

around the house.” She decided to add that in for good measure. That way Katy didn’t think she could just watch her programs all day.
    “That sucks.”
    “I know. So was not sleeping last night because of two girls thinking they could sneak time with some boys.” She leaned her head against Katy’s. “Listen, I have a question to ask you about last night, but I need you to be honest, okay?”
    Tricia thought back to what her sister had said, about not knowing what happened beneath her roof. It was true, she wasn’t a helicopter parent like Alyson, preferring to give her kids space to grow up without always looking over their shoulders, but she wasn’t negligent.
    Katy looked like she was going to say something, but stopped herself, biting her fingernails instead, a habit she’d learned as a small child.
    “Katy, stop.”
    Her daughter pulled her finger out of her mouth and looked embarrassed. “Fine,” Katy said. “I’ll be honest.”
    “Did anything else happen last night that I should know about? Anything that I wouldn’t approve of?” She had no idea what Alyson had been hinting at, so she felt like she was fumbling in the dark here. “Katherine? Is there something you need to tell me?” She pulled away from her daughter and angled her body on the couch so she was looking at her directly.
    Katy shook her head. “No, Mom. Jeesh. We watched some videos, did some dancing, and then some people went to sleep and others played games on their phones.”
    “Is that it?”
    Katy shrugged. “What else do you expect me to say?”
    Tricia pursed her lips. “Your aunt seems to think something else happened last night.”
    Katy rolled her eyes. “Seriously? You’re giving me the second degree here because of something Lyla said? She probably didn’t like any of the videos we watched or didn’t like the fact that no one wanted to watch her baby music videos.” She pushed herself up from the couch. “Can I go to my room now?”
    “Fine, go ahead. Your aunt is coming over shortly, by the way, and Lyla might be joining her.”
    Katy stomped her way up the stairs. “Just great. Like I want to hang out with her right now,” she said on her way up.
    Tricia wanted to say something but decided it wasn’t worth the energy. She slowly followed her daughter up the stairs.
    “Someone seems in a good mood.” Mark said as she rounded the corner and stepped into the kitchen.
    “If this is the beginning of what she’ll be like when she’s a teenager, then we’re in trouble.” She picked up her forgotten coffee mug and took a sip, grimacing when she realized the coffee was now cold.
    “Aren’t you glad we only had one girl then?”
    “So glad. You have no idea.” She slumped into him, and his arms immediately wrapped around her.
    “Why don’t I help you de-stress a little?” He winked.
    “Oh really? And how are you going to do that?” She reached up and pulled his head down, smiling up at him.
    “I’m sure I can think of a way,” he said just before he lowered his head and gave her a long lingering kiss.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    IDA
    Late Saturday morning
    Müßiggang ist des aller Laster Anfang. Being idle is the beginning to vice. Something her own mother used to say on a daily basis. She remembered growing up hating that saying, but with her own girls, she realized how true it really was. As long as she kept the girls busy with chores or other things around the house, they were out of trouble.
    For the most part. There was only so much a mother could control. Unfortunately.
    “What’s that you’re making?” Gord entered the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee.
    “Strudel.” With all the ingredients now in the bowl, Ida began the work of hand mixing it. Strudel was a dessert that needed a personal touch, and using the new mixing bowl the girls had bought her a few years ago for Christmas just didn’t do the job right.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. Why?” Ida worked the water into the