Occult Suspense for Mothers Boxset: The Nostalgia Effect by EJ Valson and Mother's by Michelle Read (2 ebooks for one price) Read Free Page B

on via the sofa underneath the window, I would at least see some hands . . . or legs.  Surely.
    Actually, that’s what I was counting on.  I was waiting to see flailing limbs or at least the curtains ripped down in a fit of passion.  How I would explain my blatant staring or look of ah-ha! if I were caught was beyond me.  But I was insanely curious, so I stuck my nose deeper into my cup— my eyes fixed on the window.
    Huh!
    I drew in a deep, coffee-filled breath as I caught a flash of someone’s face peering at me.  Only for a second.  Then the thick, taupe curtains fell into place.
    I blushed wildly and unfolded my numb legs from the chair.  I sat frozen for a second, waiting for the blood to return to my extremities.
    Was that what I was waiting for?  Whoever it was, they were most undoubtedly not happy that I was watching them.  It happened so quickly I had no idea if it were male or female— scandalous!  I was sure I’d seen a scowl in that tiny moment.
    I fumbled in through my front door, clanked my mug into the sink and went to wake up Violet.  Utterly flustered and embarrassed, I hurried up the stairs and busied myself with collecting toys along the way.   I turned the corner to Vy’s room, pink and purple from floor to ceiling, and quietly laid the small armful of toys on her dress-up chest.  All thoughts of getting caught prying in my neighbor’s business immediately vanished as I edged softly onto her bed and watched her sleep.
    Nothing comes closer to Heaven than this, I thought as I ran my fingers through her mess of tangles.
    “Vy, honey, wake up.”
    “Ugghaargh.”
    It was the response I’d expected.  She was not a morning person either.  Getting out the door on time for school would definitely be fun.
    I leaned down over her and brushed her hair away from her face.  “Sweetheart,” I whispered, refusing to let the preciousness slip out of the moment.  “Auntie will be here to pick you up soon.  We need to eat breakfast.”
    “I’m not hu-u-ungry,” she stretched.
    I smiled wide, scooped up the sleeping beauty, and carried her downstairs.
    “Get your arm out of the cereal!” I ordered, once she had gotten ahold of the cereal box.
    “But I can’t find the prize!”
    “They don’t put the prize at the bottom anymore, honey.  For that very reason.  I got it out already.”
    She started to speak again and I interrupted her.
    “It’s a light up spoon and you can have it later.  Auntie just called— hold still.  She said she’ll be here any minute.  Eat up and then get your teeth brushed.”
    I pulled her favorite over-sized cartoon tee over her head and tugged her hair into two quick, but even ponytails.  Making ponytails that even, that fast, should be an Olympic sport.
    Kate would hate it that I didn’t dress her up.  Of course, if Kate could have children, they would always be dressed for church – or a fashion show – just in case.  She and all her mini-me’s would probably all have coordinating outfits as well.  Ick.  I had always erred on the side of comfort and for things that can, and will, get dirty.
    I piled the dishes into the tiny sink and shuffled Little Miss Groggy up to brush.  The doorbell caught us as we were racing back down the stairs and Violet screeched, piercing my eardrum.
    “Auntie!”
    A quarter of an hour later, I was blowing theatrical kisses and backing out the front door.  I bustled toward the car and looked, unthinkingly, across the street. 
    Elizabeth was watering her miraculous garden and looked preoccupied, probably thinking of ways to improve her masterpiece.  She looked up to meet my harried expression, her perfect hair falling over her shoulder, and smiled.  It was a wide, gleaming, innocent smile that immediately brought my meddlesome morning to the front of my memory.  I grinned uneasily and settled into the front seat of the car.  I rested my sunglasses on my flushed cheeks and drove the route to school.
    It sure