There's Always Plan B Read Free

wouldn’t notice the big house in front of them. “Let’s go find Grandma.”
    Right now what Carly needed more than anything was a hug and a promise that everything would be all right. She wanted to drink cocoa and eat cookies and pretend she was Tiffany’s age and the biggest problem she had was fitting in at school.
    â€œJust leave the luggage for now,” Carly said as she climbed out of the car. “We can get it later.”
    The crunch of her feet on the gravel made her smile. The sound was familiar, as was the scent of flowers and sea and something undefinable but old that had always made her think of home. Because it was home. It was simpler, easier times—when the world still made sense.
    She led the way through the side yard where herbs and vegetables grew to a wooden door that led through the mudroom into the kitchen. At this time of day, her mother would be preparing the appetizers that were served from four-thirty to six.
    â€œHi, Mom, it’s us,” Carly called as she walked into the large, airy kitchen.
    Rhonda Washington stood at the wide center island, cutting slices of cheese. She glanced up when her daughter and granddaughter entered, smiled and put down her knife.
    â€œHow was the drive? You made excellent time. Tiffany, you’re growing up to be so beautiful. Did your mom feed you something decent or have you been living on junk food all day?”
    â€œHi, Grandma.”
    Tiffany stepped into the offered hug and didn’t answer the question. Carly ignored the flash of irritation and told herself that her mother hadn’t meant it as a criticism. Not really.
    To distract herself, she studied the different generations of women, noting that Tiffany was a couple of inches taller, but that they shared both bone structure and eye color.
    Rhonda had been born blond. Over time the color had darkened to a light brown, only to fade into gray. Tiffany’s pale blond had yet to darken at all, although Carly suspected it would with time. But the similarities didn’t end there. Both of them had the same smile and ability to speak their minds in a way that left her dodging bullets.
    A small price to pay for sanctuary, Carly reminded herself.
    Rhonda kissed her granddaughter on the cheek, then turned to Carly. “How’s my baby girl?”
    â€œGood, Mom. I’m doing okay.”
    â€œAre you sure?”
    Eyes as blue as her own studied her face. Carly offered a smile she was pretty sure looked sincere and even normal, then stepped into her mother’s embrace. Familiar scents and memories enveloped her. Her mother’s insistence on wearing Chanel No. 5 perfume every single day of her life. The warmth in the hug.
    â€œIt’s good to have you here,” Rhonda said.
    â€œIt’s good to be here.”
    They straightened. Carly noted there were a few more lines around her mother’s eyes and mouth, a slight drooping at her shoulders, but otherwise she looked much as she always had. The Washington women seemed to have sturdy genes, a fact Carly appreciated as she stood less than two months from turning forty.
    â€œLet’s get you two settled,” Rhonda said. “I’m so excited that we’re going to be living together. Three generations in the same house. It will be like the Waltons.”
    â€œThe who?” Tiffany asked as she snagged a slice of cheese.
    â€œSome old show on TV,” Carly told her. “A big family living in one house. They all said good-night to John-Boy. You sort of had to be there.”
    Tiffany didn’t look convinced by the thrill of the experience. “So where do we sleep? I have my own room, right? I mean I have to. I’m fifteen, Grandma.”
    â€œI know. It’s amazing how fast you’re growing. Of course you have your own room. Two rooms, really. I picked them out especially for you. I think you’ll really like them. They’re in the tower.”
    Tiffany