Holly's Heart Collection Two Read Free Page B

Christiana of Austria.” I grabbed Bearie-O, Andie’s teddy bear, off the shelf. Hugging him, I told Mom about Andie’s pen pal and the exchange they’d planned.
    “Does this mean Andie will go to Austria next summer?”
    I hadn’t thought of that. Andie was probably holding out that tidbit of information for a later date. Unpredictable Andie, always full of surprises! Not always happy ones, either.
    “It’s not easy having a best friend who can’t even tell you the important stuff ahead of time.” I squeezed the stuffed bear extra hard.
    Mom came over and sat near me on the window seat. “This has you very upset, Holly. If you’d like, we could arrange to have the party on Monday, your actual birthday.” She sighed. “Could Andie come then?”
    “She’ll be up to her eyeballs introducing Christiana to Dressel Hills by that time,” I responded. “I can see it now—”
    Mom interrupted. “Holly-Heart, I don’t like the sound of this. I think you’re jealous.”
    “Isn’t that a shame,” I said sarcastically. “And I haven’t even met Andie’s friend yet.”
    Mom stood up. “Be careful you don’t let these feelings come between you and Andie. It would be a sad thing for a lifelong friendship to be marred by your bad attitude.”
    Mom’s lecture bored me. I knew all that stuff. What I didn’t know was how I could possibly fit in with Andie when Christiana arrived.
    As far as I was concerned, second best might as well be zero!

SECOND-BEST FRIEND
    Chapter 4
    Sunday morning I slept in longer than I should have. Through a sleepy haze, I rubbed my eyes. Bearie-O, the droopy-eyed teddy bear Andie had traded for mine in first grade, stared down at me from the shelf near my window seat. Since Goofey was gone, I’d have to revert back to my childhood and sleep with Bearie-O. It was an option, at least.
    Getting up, I hurried for the shower. On the way, I noticed Mom’s bedroom door open. For a moment I stood, listening. It was unmistakable. Classical music wafted down the hall, interspersed with the clinking of fine silver against china. Could it be?
    I strained to listen, inching my way down the hallway. Mixed with the music was soft laughter. Uncle Jack was serving Mom breakfast in bed!
    How romantic, I thought, making my way to the bathroom. Someday…
    I allowed my mind to wander as I lathered up in the shower. Jared Wilkins, the first real crush of my life, instantly came to mind. Though hundreds of miles distanced us, I thought of someone else, too—Sean Hamilton. Sean lived in Southern California, just down the beach from Daddy.
    Sometimes I regretted not meeting him on Christmas Eve for a walk on the seashore. Now I would never know if he hoped we might someday be more than friends.
    My dad was probably right. “Develop lots of friendships with guys,” he’d said when I visited at Christmas. “There’s plenty of time for romance later.”
    Andie didn’t agree when I told her about my talk with Daddy at Christmas. “What’s wrong with a little mushy stuff?” she’d said, laughing. Andie’s parents didn’t seem to be as strict as mine.
    I grabbed a towel and hopped out of the shower. My thoughts went back to Sean and the moonlit walk I’d missed. Daydreaming about the possibilities, I didn’t hear the knock on my door.
    “Holly, I have to go. Hurry up!” It was Carrie.
    “Okay, okay.” I reached for my robe. Little sisters!

    As was our custom since Uncle Jack married Mom, we attended the early service at church on Sundays. Today I asked permission to sit with Andie. Usually, all eight of us filled up one long pew. Mom liked it that way: family togetherness in worship. But I needed space.
    Sitting next to Andie and her entire family, I sensed something was wrong. I could feel the tension. And she seemed preoccupied, probably with her pen pal’s arrival.
    “A cat like Goofey would make a fabulous contribution to Christiana’s stay in America,” I whispered in her ear, then