Chapter Twenty-Four

S prite had waited until they were in the side-by-side, heading back to their house before she decided to take Blake's attitude temperature.

"What did you do fun today?"

Blake stared at the landscape, turning her head a little away from Sprite. Could Blake be mad at her? She waited a little longer for Blake to answer and after getting to the house without Blake saying a word, Sprite pulled the side-by-side beside the house and touched Blake's shoulder when she started to unbuckle and get out.

"You have the right to have feelings. You have the right to be upset, whether it's with a situation, with me, or with someone else. However, it's not nice to ignore someone when they try to talk to you. Is that how you want to be treated?" Sprite paused to give Blake a chance to say something. When Blake just tightened her mouth, Sprite decided this wasn't going on.

"I can't help you fix something if you won't tell me what is bothering you. You were so excited to live here and now, you seem upset. I know when I'm upset, it always helps me to share it with someone. Let's go in the house. Regina has offered to bring us supper. Maybe by the time we finish supper, you can tell me what's wrong."

Sprite unbuckled Oakley and put her down to run into the house. Sprite followed, wondering how she was going to reach her oldest. In the time Blake had been with her, Blake hadn't ever given Sprite the silent treatment. With all Blake had gone through, Sprite had been surprised how Blake never threw a fit.

She sat down on the floor and played with Oakley for a little while wondering how she could reach Blake. She'd texted Roam and Regina that she and the girls would be eating at their house.

After playing with Oakley for a half hour, starting a load of laundry and unloading the dishwasher, she had a hard time not going into Blake's room because she missed hearing about Blake's day.

The ring of the doorbell was a welcome distraction. Sprite opened the door and Regina stood there holding a large tray. She held the door as Regina walked in with Clara behind her.

"I hope it's okay. Baron's eating with Roam and the kids. I made a huge amount of food and hoped Clara and I could join you."

Sprite smiled, following Regina into the kitchen. Clara slid her arm around Sprite when they stopped in the kitchen.

"Where is she?" Clara whispered.

Obviously, Roam had shared with Regina. Regina must have decided they'd come help and Sprite was happy to have any and all help. She was at her wits end on what to do.

"Bedroom. Hasn't answered my questions or said one word to me since school."

Regina started pulling out plates and getting the table ready with all the food. Sprite walked in to get Oakley and help her wash her hands. She helped Oakley onto the step stool in front of the sink and started to turn the water on.

"No, I do," Oakley said batting her hand away.

Well, it seemed like both her girls were in moods. If they were both older, she'd think PMS was hitting her household. Oh goodness, how would she survive that with Blake or Oakley when she couldn't even handle her daughter not talking to her. Oakley finished after splashing water everywhere, but she had to learn sometime.

Sprite helped her dry her hands, then followed as Oakley ran to the table, getting up in her booster seat. Blake and Clara had already come out and were sitting at the table. Sprite couldn't tell if Blake was going to talk or if she was just going to eat. Clara looked at Sprite and Regina, then shook her head no. Sprite had hoped Clara would be a miracle worker. She hoped Regina and Clara had a lot to talk about because not only was she exhausted but she was exasperated not being able to figure out how to fix this.

The food was dished up and everyone started eating. Sprite knew she should start a conversation but hello, exhausted. She appreciated Regina and Clara coming over, but she wasn't sure it was going to fix it.

"I heard that the shelter had a litter of kittens and a litter of puppies that were dropped off. People are already putting their names in to hold their favorite animal until they are old enough to be adopted. Oh, they were so cute. Weren't you thinking of getting an animal, Sprite?"

Sprite hid her grin. She didn't think anything could make her smile tonight, but she was going to soak up all knowledge from a master. Roam had mentioned that his mom had been able to get them to always talk. He said he still didn't know how she'd get them to spill their secrets, but she could.

"Yes, but we hadn't decided what to get. Last I heard Blake was going to check out animals."

Sprite glanced down and checked Blake's face from under her lashes. Blake had a frown on her face.

"Oh, well, that's too bad. I'm sure they'll go fast. Well, maybe the shelter will get more in a couple months," Clara mentioned, then took a bite of her food.

Sprite had been near tears with Blake earlier, and now, hearing Clara and Regina play off each other, if Blake didn't talk after this, then the girl had more willpower than Sprite would have at her age.

"Oh, I saw one of the puppies on the website. So cute. Here, let me show you, Sprite?"

Sprite knew Regina deliberately showed her because she was across the table from Clara, and Blake wouldn't be able to see.

"Oh, they're all so fluffy and cute. I'd love one but we can wait," Sprite said and then took a bite of her food before she grinned. Blake was shifting in her chair and looking at Regina. Regina had slid her phone back onto the table upside down so no one could see the screen.

"Can I see the puppy?" Blake whispered.

"Oh, of course," Regina picked up her phone and handed it to Blake.

Blake stared at the phone, then looked up at Sprite.

"They're all cute. I think I want a puppy."

Sprite smiled at her and waited to see if Blake would say more.

"Could we go see them and pick one out?"

"We can, Blake, but having a dog is a big commitment. I need to know that you'll help feed the dog, play with the dog and take it outside even when you're not happy."

Blake scrunched up her nose and stared at Sprite. Sprite looked back at her daughter and thought how much easier it would be if she could read her mind.

"I will. I'll tell you at bathtime why I was upset. I don't want to say with little ears."

Sprite nodded. Little ears is what she'd called Oakley multiple times when she'd given Blake a cookie late at night. She'd explained she didn't want Oakley hearing because she was too little. Sprite would wait until bath time, but it was killing her not knowing what Blake couldn't share around Oakley.

"You know, I wanted to take a walk, and I'm done with my supper. It looks like Oakley only has a couple more bites. Why don't she and I take a short walk," Clara offered.

Sprite fed the last bite to Oakley, then wiped her mouth. Knowing Clara, she planned on taking Oakley to the clubhouse and would tempt her with some more food there to make sure she was full.

"I think that sounds like a fantastic idea. Is it okay if I stay, Blake?" Regina asked.

Sprite watched her oldest stare at Regina and consider if she wanted her to stay. It would have been such a gift if moms could read their kids' minds until a certain age. Sprite wouldn't want to read any teenage boys' mind around the someone they were attracted to.

"Sure," Blake said and nodded.

Sprite took a couple more bites as Clara gathered up Oakley, though the food now tasted like sawdust in her mouth. What could be so bad that Blake refused to talk with her?

Clara closed the front door as she left, and the silence was deafening. Regina stood up and uncovered the last container she'd brought.

"I've found it's easier to discuss deep subjects with my women friends if there is also a dessert," Regina placed an apple crisp in front of Blake, then gathered dessert plates and a spatula. She cut three pieces and put them on plates.

"I have whipped cream or ice cream or both. What would you like?"

Sprite reached for a plate. "It looks delicious. I'll have mine plain."

Blake nodded and pulled a plate toward her. "Me too."

Sprite took a bite and chewed slowly. She really was at a loss about how to start this conversation as Blake had shut her down so many times.

"I'm going to tell you a secret and then it will be your turn, Blake, to tell yours. My secret might hurt someone's feelings, which is why I've kept it a secret."

Blake nodded while she ate her dessert. Sprite wondered if she was agreeing that her secret would hurt someone's feelings or if she was agreeing to keep Regina's.

"I try to like everybody and give them a chance. I meet a lot of different people and usually can find something to like about each of them. Something about Deputy Kerwin bothers me. I've never seen him be mean but there's that little part of me that doesn't trust him. Maybe I just need to get to know him better or maybe there is something there that I shouldn't trust. I know it would hurt Beth's feelings if she knew that, so for now, I'm keeping it a secret. Is your secret like that, honey?"

Regina laid her hand on Blake's arm, patting it. Blake just stared at Regina for a minute, then set down her fork. She laid her hand on top of Regina's grasping her fingers.

"I dreamed Daddy was hurt and he was looking for us. We'd moved in with Roam and he couldn't find us, so he got sicker and sicker until he died. I don't want my daddy to die but I love Roam and Grant and Casper and Georgia," Blake sniffled as she finished.

Regina pulled Blake against her and patted her back. "Oh, honey, I'm so sorry you dreamed that. Dreams feel so real and can be scary. Even if you moved in with Roam and the kids, your daddy could find you. We all have the clubhouse address. Your daddy would go to the clubhouse, and they'd make sure he found you." Regina paused, rocking Blake in her arms a little. "I know it's scary when you haven't heard from your dad to worry about all the bad things. When Roam, Bear and War served in the military, sometimes I'd worry too. Since I can't tell you not to worry, how about when you get worried, you come talk to Mama Sprite, Clara or me and we'll help you feel better?"

Blake nodded and kept her arms wrapped around Regina. Sprite sat there and wondered how she'd lucked out to not only get Roam but also his whole family. Regina was teaching Sprite more than her mother ever had. Sprite considered Clara a mother-figure for her and a grandmother figure for the girls. Now she had Regina too. She was sure Meg would also be that because she'd already informed Sprite that the girls were her grandkids too.

The path that led her to Bluff Creek had been scary, especially after she'd lost her job and been low on food, but she'd found a home for herself and her kids.

She walked around the table and put her arms around Blake and Regina.

"Blake, I know the dream was scary, but you can always tell me."

Blake pulled back from Regina's chest. "I know but I didn't want to make you sad."

"Aww, Blake. Sadness is a part of life. My job as your mom is to protect you. Your job as my daughter is to let me. Things will make us sad, but we'll deal with them. I love you, Blake, and you can never do anything to make me love you any less. I always want you to share when you're scared, mad, upset, or happy."

Sprite was relieved that Blake had shared. Did it make her a horrible mom that she just wanted to pick them all up and head to Roam's house to move in? She'd really love to just sleep beside him tonight, but the smart thing would be to give Blake a little time. Time was going to suck, but she'd do what she needed to do. She was worried about her brother too. Maybe she should reach out to one of his friends.