For Keeps (Aggie's Inheritance) Read Free

have been good enough, but now he agrees that she chose the right solution.
    Aggie says: Is he still speaking to us?
    Libby says: I think so. He’s already talking about painting walls tomorrow.
    Aggie says: I was practicing my cutting in skills, but I’m still pretty pathetic. I do better with roller work.
    Libby says: That’ll save him a bunch of time. He said he got the fire pit and the patio all marked off today.
    Aggie says: Yep. It’s going to be perfect.
    Libby says: You don’t seem yourself tonight. Are you tired?
    Aggie says: Hard day. It started by putting the kids back to bed this morning and then early to bed tonight. I haven’t had this much trouble with them in a long time.
    Libby says: I remember those days. Oh, my. There were times that I wondered who was inhabiting my children’s bodies! ”
    Aggie says: Off topic. Why does Luke call me Mibs? Tina says she asked him today, I asked him today, and he told both of us that I should know.
    Libby says: If Luke won’t tell you; I’m not going to! I don’t relish the idea of having my head bitten off!
    Aggie says: *shrugs* I think he likes being all mysterious.
    Libby says: He’s a man. Of course he does.
    Aggie says: *giggles*
    Aggie says: Tina is going to take Vannie school shopping tomorrow. If I can manage, I think I’ll convince her to take the other kids one at a time. It’ll be good for them to have some focused attention. I haven’t figured out how to incorporate that yet.
    Libby says: That’s a lovely idea! I think you’ll find that having one child help you each day in the kitchen will be a nice way to have some one-on-one interaction. You’ll have to figure out what to do with Ian when he gets old enough for his turn, but with seven days a week, it gives you ample opportunity…
    Aggie says: Do I sound like a terrible person for confessing that the last thing I want to do is add work to an already distasteful task? I am already such a lousy cook. Why would I subject the kids to an even more unskilled culinary example?
    Aggie says: Never mind, you’re right. I’m just being selfish.
    Libby says: Children can chop vegetables, crush breadcrumbs, set tables, and all kinds of things. They don’t have to start with crème brûlée.
    Libby says: Oh, you beat me to it. I would say that you’re being a tired mommy. Being a mother is hard work, but having a helper in the kitchen isn’t the only way to do a one-on-one time. It’s just one that was easy for me.
    Aggie says: Well, I’m going to try it anyway. I need to do something.
    Libby says: Aggie, you are the most teachable young woman I think I’ve ever met.
    Aggie says: You mean desperate, don’t you?
    Libby says: Possibly. I’m at my most teachable when I’m desperate.
    Aggie says: Touché. Oh well, I need to do the whole face-washing, tooth-brushing bit. It’s my last night in my bedroom. Until it’s done, it’s back to the library for me.
    Libby says : Goodnight, Aggie. I can’t wait to see your room. Luke says it’s either going to be a work of genius or a work of Genie-ous.
    Aggie says: Night. And if he’s still there, tell him I said I’ll get him for that.
    Libby says : He’s pretending to quake in fear -- or is that laughter?
    Aggie says: *shuffles downstairs to rig a bucket of water for Luke’s grand entrance in the morning*
    Libby says: LOL. Now he’s rubbing his palms together in a most fiendish fashion. I would be worried if I were you.
    Aggie says: You should be -- for him.
    Libby says : The Sullivans bid you goodnight!
    Aggie says: Goodnight all… both… whatever.
     
     

Un-Fashionable

Chapter 2
     
    Tuesday, August 5 th
     
    Ian, ineffectively corralled in a playpen, greeted Luke when he arrived to work on Aggie’s room. Plopped in the middle of the room, Aggie worked around it, throwing frowns in the child’s direction every time he hiked one of his little knees toward the top. At the sight of Luke, the baby squealed and threw his hands up for Luke to