Gilt by Association by Karen Rose Smith

how to use it. Your mom, on the other hand—”
    Millicent didn’t have to elaborate. Francesca De Luca was simply a high school teacher who’d known Louise before she married Chet. She’d connected with Louise on a personal level and they had a history. But it was true that other than that, they didn’t have much in life in common.
    Caprice realized how hurt her mom would be by that idea.
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    â€œCan we build a snowman?” Timmy asked the adults in general as the De Lucas gathered in the living room where logs crackled and blazed in the fireplace.
    Lady had run to Caprice to welcome her. Caprice had dropped off Lady here before going to pick up Timmy and Megan, thinking her mom could use the comfort of a furry friend.
    â€œAren’t you tired after ice skating?” Caprice’s dad asked them as he rocked Bella’s baby back and forth in his arms.
    â€œNo!” Megan and Timmy answered at once.
    â€œIt will soon be time for dinner,” their grandfather told them.
    â€œNot for another hour,” Nana said, brushing her thumb across the infant’s forehead.
    Sitting beside Nana, Nikki asked Caprice, “Aren’t you going to mix up pepperoni bread?”
    â€œThat will take about five minutes,” Caprice explained. All she had to do was collect all the ingredients, mix, turn the dough into a bread pan, and shove it into the oven.
    Just then, the front door opened again, and Vince, Grant, and Patches burst inside.
    â€œI brought someone along who needs a good meal,” Vince teased. “And his dog. I figured Lady would be here.”
    Grant shook his head. “For some reason, he thinks I’m like him and I don’t cook. But I’ve got to admit, a meal here is a great bribe so I don’t beat him too badly at one-on-one in basketball the next time. He assured me Patches was welcome, too—” As soon as he released Patches from his leash, the pup scampered to Lady.
    Timmy ran over to Vince. “Do you want to build a snowman with me, Uncle Vince?”
    Megan crossed to Grant. “Can you build one with me?”
    Caprice’s dad got into the act. “That sounds like a fine idea, and I’ll judge which one’s the best.”
    â€œWhat does the winner get?” Timmy asked, already competitive.
    This time her father answered, “How about a ride around the yard on your uncle Vince’s old sled?”
    That seemed to please both Megan and Timmy, and they went to grab their coats.
    â€œI’ll watch Benny so you and Joe can join the fun,” Caprice’s dad told Bella.
    â€œBuilding a snowman could be fun,” Bella admitted and turned to Joe.
    He said, “I’ll get our coats.”
    â€œI’ll watch the pups,” Nana offered. “You won’t want to leash them while you’re building a snowman or take the chance they’ll run into the street unleashed.” She patted her hip as Caprice and Grant did, said, “Come,” and the dogs bounded after her into the library.
    â€œI’ll go pull out the bread pan,” Caprice’s mom offered, heading to the kitchen.
    Before Caprice could also escape to the kitchen to mix up the pepperoni cheddar bread, Grant caught her elbow and leaned close. “How’s your mom holding up?”
    She glanced toward the kitchen. “I’m not sure. I’m hoping a meal and some company will help. She’s trying to act like nothing’s wrong, but we all know something is. Losing Louise was like losing a little piece of her heart.”
    Grant was silent for a moment, then asked, “Are you going to join in the snowman making?”
    She cocked her head and looked him straight in the eye. “I think you ought to make a snow woman .”
    He raised his hands in a stop gesture while shaking his head. “Oh, no. I’m not going there. We’ll just see what Megan wants to do with it. If she wants to