Girl in the Shadows (Shadows 2)

on the tests."

"That's all anyone can do, the best she can.

Come on in here and let me show you the right way to

prepare a meat loaf. One of these days, you'll be

winning a man through his stomach," she added, and

disappeared into the kitchen,

Would I? I wondered. Would I ever have any

semblance of a normal life? Any real relationships? Working beside Mrs. Westington in her kitchen

recalled the many times I worked beside my mother.

Just as Mama had told me about her l

ife as a child.

Mrs. Westington told me about working in the kitchen

beside her own mother. The affection and the love

between her and her mother was as palpable to me as

the affection and love I had shared with mine. I

enjoyed hearing her stories, but when she talked about happier times with her family, she reminded me of my own and that brought tears to my eyes and a heaviness to my heart. When would nice things, happy things, stand on their own for me and not resurrect memories that only brought back pain? Would it be like this for

me forever and ever?

I hid my sadness from Mrs. Westington and

together we prepared the dinner. She let me set the

table and then I went to freshen up.

If Echo was still upset about confronting the

Destiny doll, she didn't show it at dinner. nor had she

mentioned it to Mrs. Westington, Trevor Washington,

on the other hand, looked suspicious and troubled to

me whenever he glanced my way. When he invited

me to look at the wine-processing equipment and

storage facility after dinner. I quickly accepted. "Can't you think of a better way to waste her

time?" Mrs. Westington quipped.

"No. Ma'am." he said, and winked at me. Echo wanted to go along as well. With an

impish smile on his face. Trevor invited Mrs.