Strangers in the Lane by Virginia Rose Richter Page B

you’re getting very good at babysitting. Phillip’s turned you into a real pro.” Carol knelt down and wiped tears from Kerry’s cheeks with a tissue.
    “Thanks, Mrs. Marshall.” Jessie tried to repair her braid. “Maybe I can sit with Robyn sometime.” Jessie knew that Carol worked part-time at Tom and Carol Marshall’s jewelry store.
    Carol hoisted Robyn to her hip. “I might be in the market soon. I’m not happy…”
    A loud crash and a scream came from the hallway. Henry Thomas had knocked over the telephone stand. His mother rushed to the rescue and carried him off.
    Tina limped to the overturned table. “Tell your mom you’ll need a new phone.”
    Jessie picked up the instrument. “What’s wrong with your leg?”
    “I tried to separate Kerry and Bobby Corwin in a fight. Kerry kicked me.” Tina sat on a step and rubbed her ankle. “The zoo is safer.”
    “They’re a wild bunch all right.” Jessie said.
    “No kidding.” Tina made a face. “I dread having a kid like one of these living in my house. I feel like I’m about to be punished.”
    Jessie began gathering up toys littering the floor. “You’re being punished for leading the golden life of an ‘only’ child. Sleeping in, a quiet and tidy home and no one in your stuff. You’re spoiled, Tina. Soon you’ll join me in baby-land.”
    “You don’t have to sound so happy about it,” said Tina.
    Jessie sat down on the step next to Tina. “I wonder how many kids’ deals we’ll have to go to before we figure this out.”
    “What do you mean —kids’ deals?” Tina’s voice was rising.
    Jessie stood up. “We can’t stop now. We have to go where children are—to find the baby monitor people.”
    “And what excuse will we have for showing up at these kiddy events?” asked Tina.
    Jessie smiled. “Phillip will be our excuse.”
    * * *
    When the party was over, Jessie and her mom helped carry shower gifts to the Adams’ car and waved as Tina and her mother drove off. Phillip trailed along behind, dragging his teddy bear.
    Jessie spotted a huge van at the curb. “Whose truck?”
    Her mom shivered in the cold. “That’s the new Swedish Museum curator and his family. They’re moving into Mr. Johnson’s old guest house. The museum opens next month.”
    Just then a big gray-and-white Old English Sheepdog charged over the snow and crossed the street. It brushed past Phillip and knocked him down. He started to wail. A tall boy ran behind the dog.
    “Stop, Farley!” he shouted.
    The dog ran in circles, ears flapping and stubby tail wagging.
    “Hey!” Jessie yelled. “Your dog knocked down my brother!” She saw the boy grab the dog’s collar and then turned to brush snow off Phillip.
    “I’m so sorry,” the boy said. “Farley escaped. Is the baby all right?”
    Furious, Jessie whirled around and looked into the kindest eyes she’d ever seen. Boy , is he ever cute, she thought. She couldn’t think of a thing to say.
    “Phillip’s fine. Not hurt, just frightened,” her mother said. “Are you our new neighbor?”
    “Yes. I’m Bryce Peterson. We moved in today. This isn’t a very good way to start. I’m really sorry about your little boy.”
    Jessie just stared. Who gets lucky enough to have a new neighbor like this ? she thought. She was freezing, but glad she hadn’t put her coat on over her velvet dress.
    Bryce looked at her and smiled. “Well, I’d better get home. See you soon.”
    Jessie followed her mom and Phillip back into the house. Funny—she couldn’t feel her feet touch the ground.

CHAPTER THREE
    The next morning, Jessie woke with the sun in her eyes. It was time to set the plan in action. Mom usually took Phillip to story-time at the library on Saturday, but today she and Tina would take him. They needed to spot that foreign accent.
    She sat on her window bench and braided her long hair. Fresh snow twinkled and blinked in the sun. She looked for any activity at the house across Willow Lane. But there