Rowan''s brows were so tightly knit, he looked ready to scowl forever. He really couldn''t figure Hanna out.


    Didn''t she used to like loquats?


    He walked over and, stubborn as ever, said, "Butst time, I saw you eat them."


    Hanna just stared at him,pletely fed up.


    Was he seriously this clueless? How many times did she have to say it?


    "I don''t like them anymore," she snapped, her voice icy. She startedying out her herbs with more force than necessary, as if each movement could shake off her annoyance.


    "Oh."


    Rowan''s reply was t, and without another word, he just turned and walked away.


    Hanna nced back at him, somehow even more irritated now.<fna9fe> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find{n}ovel</fna9fe>


    That afternoon, Anastasia went to pick Pattie up from school.


    When the bell rang, she parked her car by the crowded gates-parents everywhere, cars packed bumper to bumper. She left the car and made her way


    to the entrance.


    Pattie came out soon after, walking with another little girl.


    As soon as Pattie saw Anastasia, her whole face lit up. "Mom! Mom! You came to get me today!"


    Usually, it was just the nanny.


    "I missed you," Anastasia said, grinning. "How was your day at school?"


    "It was great! We had a test and I got a perfect score!" Pattie said, beaming. Then she added, “Mom, this is my best friend, Vicky."


    Vicky looked like a total straight-A kid, and she greeted Anastasia politely, "Hello, Auntie."


    "Hi, Vicky," Anastasia replied, genuinely happy that Pattie was making friends. "Pattie, say goodbye to your friend. Let''s head home-it''s busy here, and we shouldn''t block the way."


    "Okay!" Pattie waved. "See you tomorrow, Vicky!"


    "Bye, Pattie! See you tomorrow!"


    With hugs and goodbyes done, Anastasia helped Pattie into the car and drove off.


    Pattie was so much more cheerful these days. Ever since she''d started talking more, she was a little chatterbox.


    "Mom, Vicky''s my first real friend. She has a big sister named Carli. Vicky says Carli always takes her stuff..."


    Carli?


    The name rang a bell for Anastasia. She remembered during the whole Mr. Simmons situation, the little girl who identified him was called Carli—the Westwood family''s youngest granddaughter.


    Rumor was the Westwoods had two granddaughters, and Carli had been sent to St. Vincent''s for being a bit of a rebel After the Mr. Simmons mess, she''d been brought home again.  s


    Pattie kept sharing stories about school, and Anastasia listened with a patient smile. Suddenly, Pattie piped up, "Oh! Mom, we''re having a Competition with


    the schacross


    the street tomorrow!"


    belongs to s


    "Apetition?" Anastasia asked.


    "Yeah, a sports day! The teachers drew lots, and my ss is going up against the third grade from the other school."


    "A sports day? What event are you in?"


    "Shot put!" Pattie dered, clearly proud. "Coach Dailey says I''m super strong!"


    Pattie had been learning kung fu from Dailey for a while, and honestly, she really was way stronger than most kids her age.


    Anastasia grinned. "Well then, I have to go watch youpete! This is your first sports day-can''t miss that."


    "Will Dade too? I''ll tell him when he gets home tonight."


    "Of course he will," Anastasia said, giving Rattie''s cheek a gentle squeeze Nothing at work is as important to your dad as hiso precious girl."  s


    Pattie''s whole face glowed. She kissed Anastasia''s cheek. “Mom, I love you guys so much."


    A loving home gave kids real confidence. No matter what Pattie had been


    through, she never lost that bright, self-assured smile.


    That was what made Anastasia and Herman proudest.


    That night-


    Pattie stayed up just to see Herman, wanting to share her news about sports day.


    As soon as his car pulled in, she raced downstairs.


    "Dad! We''re having sports day tomorrow afternoon, and we''re up against the third grade from the other school. Will youe watch?"


    Upstairs, Anastasia stood on thending, watching her husband and daughtere in together.


    "Of course I''lle," Herman promised. "I''ll cancel my meetings and get there early to see youpete. What''s your event?"


    "Shot put!" Pattie announced, face shining.


    Herman paused for a second. His sweet, dainty daughter doing shot put? The thought was almostical.


    He held back augh, smiled, and said, “That''s a great event."


    Upstairs, Anastasia saw the look on Herman''s face and knew exactly what he was thinking.


    Other girls usually picked running or long jump, but Pattie picked shot put-it wasn''t exactly the mostdylike event.


    Most of the shot put kids were the big, burly ones.


    Pattie''s pick was unexpected-but the real surprise was that Layna, who was in the third grade at the other school, had also signed up for shot put.