Flynn''s excitement fizzled out in an instant, his face dropping so fast it was almost funny.


    Paradise waved a hand in front of him. "Uncle Flynn, are you devastated or what?" Flynn slipped the postcard away, putting on aid-back front. "Oh, it''s nothing. A real man doesn''t lose sleep over a woman''s words."


    "What are you two whispering about?" Anastasia called out as she walked in, bncing a bowl of fresh fruit. "Here, snack on this for now-dinner''s almost ready." “Thanks, Anastasia," Flynn said, shing her a grin. "Smart, gorgeous, and generous. If I ever look for a wife, I''d want someone just like you."


    Paradise grinned, ready to call him out. "Uncle Flynn, judging from that poem''s vibe, your secret crush isn''t much like my mom."


    "Flynn, you like someone?" Anastasia''s eyes sparkled with curiosity. "When are you going to bring her home for us to meet?"


    Paradise giggled. "Mom, Uncle Flynn hasn''t even won her over yet. She wrote him an acrostic poem, and he went and thought it was a love letter."


    "You little rascal, always selling me out." Flynn pretended to be offended, but couldn''t hide his amusement. "With a face like mine, you think I''d need to pine for anyone? Please."


    The word "love letter" jogged Anastasia''s memory-Lisa had mentioned Andrew writing one to Paradise. Work had distracted her from asking, and then she''d worried prying might upset her daughter.


    "Who''s got a crush?" Katelyn drifted over, catching the tail end of the chat.


    Flynn shot Paradise a look and lowered his voice. "When I got back from the States,


    I brought you that ''Weing Pine'' painting you wanted."


    A clear bribe.


    Paradise''s face lit up. She''d been after that painting for ages, but its collector wouldn''t let it go. Now, with Flynn offering it, she couldn''t resist. She grinned and pped him a high five. "Deal!"


    Anastasia watched their little exchange, smiling to herself.


    “Pattie, go upstairs and call your dad and grandpa down for dinner,” she said.


    "Okay, Mom!" Paradise dashed up the stairs.


    Katelyn turned to Anastasia. "Ana, when''s your moming over? She hasn''t visited Salstrom Manor in forever."


    "She''s noting tonight," Anastasia said with a gentle smile. "She can''t leave my aunt alone anymore-her condition''s gotten worse."


    "She should really get a nurse,"


    Katelyn said, concern in her voice. "It''s too much for your mom to handle by herself. Why not have her stay here at Salstrom Manor We''ve got plenty of people to help, and your mom could finally get a break."


    "My aunt doesn''t do well with strangers it''d just make things harder Anastasia shook her head. "But thanks, Mom. I''ll look into hiring a nurse for her so my mom Carget Some rest


    "Alright, as long as you know you''ve got options,” Katelyn said, not pushing the issue.


    A few minutester, Herman and Feiman came down the stairs.


    Emmie and Nancy, along with a couple of the other kids, were chasing each other around. Herman scooped up his youngest daughter as he passed. "Alright, time to eat.


    With that, Nancy and Daria scurried off to the dining room.


    Joseph never stuck around for meals at Salstrom Manor. He''d drop off his son, but refused to eat even a single bite of the Salstroms'' food.


    Dinner was lively and warm. Right at eight o''clock, Joseph came by to pick up Daria.


    Daria lingered at the doorway, not wanting to leave yet. As she left, she waved. "Bye, Emmie! Bye, Nancy! Bye, Paradise! See you all tomorrow!"


    Emmie and Nancy waved back. "Bye, n!"


    Paradise called out, "See you! We''ll y again tomorrow!"


    "Mm-hmm." Daria loveding to Salstrom Manor, and she liked going to Southridge Estates too.


    Her own house, though, felt cold and empty.


    "Let''s go," Joseph said, scooping Daria up. Even after they''d driven a good


    distance, Daria was still pressed to the window, looking back.


    "You really like hanging out with them, huh?"


    “Daddy, I love Emmie and Nancy, and Paradise too. Daddy, can you give me a little sister? I want someone to y with."


    Seeing other kids with siblings made Daria wish for one of her own. She was only four-right at that age when a ymate was everything.


    Joseph was stumped. If it hadn''t been for that one mistake with Julie, he''d never have let any woman have his child.


    “Daddy?" Daria tugged at his arm, her big, hopeful eyes shining. “Can you?”


    Joseph deflected. "Has Chelsea been bothering you againtely?"