Midnight Promises Read Free Page A

too. Was I the only person in town he hadn’t told?”
“Stop working yourself into a frenzy,” Frances said, though her cheeks turned pink as she said it. “Elliott and I did have a chat earlier, but he didn’t mention a thing about any gym. Just now was the first I’ve heard about that. He told me that he’s been putting off talking to you about something important because you’re both so busy. He never got into the specifics with me.”
“I see,” Karen said stiffly, not entirely relieved by the explanation or by the idea that more people had been talking behind her back.
“Don’t you dare make more of that than is called for,” Frances scolded. “I asked him why he was so distracted in class today. He hemmed and hawed and finally admitted he’d been keeping something from you. I told him there was no good excuse for not communicating with a spouse.” She gave Karen a pointed look. “Notice I said communicating, not yelling. Real communication involves listening, as well as talking.”
Karen smiled weakly, duly chastised. “I hear you. But how on earth do we find the time to really sit down and have those heart-to-heart talks we used to have when we were dating? Right now we need all the hours at work we can get. And even if we could find some time, babysitters are too expensive for our budget.”
“Then you’ll let me help,” Frances said at once, her expression eager. “Since you married and moved to a new home with Elliott, I don’t see Daisy and Mack nearly as much as I’d like. They’re growing like weeds. Soon I won’t even recognize them.”
Karen immediately regarded her with guilt. Though she’d taken the kids by often right after she and Elliott had married, the visits to Frances had dwindled as their schedules had grown more complicated. How could she have been so selfish, when she knew how much the older woman enjoyed spending time with Daisy and Mack?
“Oh, Frances, I’m so sorry,” she apologized. “I should have brought them by more often.”
“Hush now,” Frances said, giving her hand a squeeze. “That was not my point. I was about to suggest we work out one evening a week when I’ll come over and stay with them, while you and Elliott have a night out. I imagine I can still oversee a little homework and read a bedtime story or two. In fact, I’d love it.” She grinned, an impish light in her eyes. “Or you can bring them to my place, if you’d rather have a romantic evening at home. I’m sure I could handle a sleepover now that they’re older.”
Karen resisted, despite the obvious sincerity of the suggestion. “You are so sweet to offer, but I couldn’t possibly impose on you like that. You’ve already done way more for me than I had any right to expect. When times were tough, you were always there for me.”
Frances gave her a chiding look. “I consider you family, and if I can do this for you, it would be my pleasure, so I don’t want to hear any of this nonsense that it’s too much. If I thought it were, I wouldn’t have offered. And if you turn me down, it will only hurt my feelings. You’ll be making me feel old and useless.”
Karen smiled, thinking that Frances was definitely neither of those things. Chronologically her years had added up, but her spirit was young, she had dozens of friends, and she was still active in the community. She spent a few hours every day making calls to housebound seniors just to chat with them and make sure there was nothing they needed.
She nodded at last. “Okay, if you’re sure, then I’ll talk it over with Elliott and we’ll check with you about setting an evening. We’ll give it a test run and see how it goes. I don’t want Mack and Daisy to wear you out.”
Frances’s expression radiated delight. “That’s good, then. Now, I should be running along. I’m playing cards tonight at the senior center with Flo Decatur and Liz Johnson and I’ll need a nap if I’m to be alert enough to make sure they’re not