Kimmie ran in with the pink dress on that he’d liked best of all.
He patted Matt on the back. “Good job, buddy.”
“She knew you liked it best and asked me if I did, too. So, good job for both of us.”
“Mommy, will you fix my hair pretty to meet your new friend, Mrs. Knight?”
“Yes, baby.” Jena turned to her mother. “Mom, I’ll be back to help you get ready.”
“Young lady, I’m not helpless. I can put my own makeup on.” Mom giggled. “Please tell me you have a quart of foundation. It’s going to take that much for me to paint this old barn.”
* * * *
Jena stood behind Kimmie and her mom as they walked into the Knight Mansion. Megan greeted them and gave a special hug to her mom. “I’m so glad to meet you, Mrs. Taylor.”
“Nice to meet yo
u. Please, call me Janet.”
“I will. Call me Megan.” She knelt down. “You must be the little girl I’ve been hearing so much about.”
“My name is Kimmie,” her daughter answered, holding her tiny hand out like she’d been taught.
Megan shook her hand. “May I have a hug, too?”
Kimmie nodded, wrapping her arms around her friend.
Jena looked over at her mom, whose eyes were wide, taking in the beauty of the room.
“Megan, your home is lovely,” her mother said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
“Wait until you see the rest of it,” Matt said. “This is only the foyer. It gets better.”
“Much,” Sean added.
“Stop it.” Megan shook her head. “It is something. I never dreamed I would be living in such a place.”
“Your guys want to give you the best,” Jena said. “You’re worth it.”
“I would be happy anywhere with them, but it is nice to have this home to share with family and friends. And speaking of that, I want to take Kimmie to the ballroom. I think she’s going to like what’s in there.”
Megan took Kimmie by the hand and led them down the hallway.
When they arrived at the large room, the crowd, which Jena hadn’t been expecting, cheered. “Happy birthday, Kimmie,” they shouted.
Her daughter jumped up and down. “Is that my birthday cake?” She pointed to the giant dessert on the table. It was decorated with princes and princesses and little fairies.
“Yes, it is,” Megan answered. “Since you are the little princess, you need to wear this tiara.” She placed it on Kimmie’s head.
The entire ballroom was decked out like a fairy-tale wonderland. How in the world had Megan pulled this together?
“This is my party, Mommy? This is for me?”
“Yes, it is. All for you.” She kissed her daughter on the cheek, thrilled beyond words that her friend had done this. “Say ‘thank you’ to Mrs. Knight.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Knight. I am five years old now. I’m a big girl.”
“Yes, you are. You’re very welcome. Let me introduce you to all the kids.” Megan grabbed Kimmie’s hand and took her to all the children. They surrounded her in no time.