Wish on the Moon by Karen Rose Smith Page B

much better than the weather, something
they had thoroughly discussed on each of her visits.
    Nora met them at the door and ushered Ray
into the living room, motioning toward the wing chair. "Would you
like to go to your room and rest? I'll bring lunch up to you. Mitch
and I discussed the diet your doctor gave you. I made chicken salad
with low fat dressing."
    Ray gave Nora a wan smile. "To keep you from
running up and down the stairs, I think I'll stay in the
housekeeper's quarters." He looked at Mitch. "The sofa in there
opens up. Could you sleep there a few nights in case I need
something?"
    Laura could see her father was scared and
uncertain about being home. She wanted to hug him, comfort him,
tell him he'd live a long, happy life. But he was looking to Mitch
for help, not her. She glanced at Mandy sitting on the sofa,
watching everything with wide eyes, and felt very much like her
daughter looked--awkward, unsure, wondering what came next.
    Making an attempt to help, Laura offered, "I
can help Nora, Dad, if you want to stay in your room. The bed's
probably more comfortable. We could put a bell--"
    "Ray can probably relax better down here,"
Mitch interrupted. "He'd have his own living room and TV and the
kitchen right outside. I think his idea is a good one."
    Laura protested. "We haven't cleaned it or
aired it out."
    Nora intervened. "Give me fifteen
minutes."
    Laura expected a smug look from Mitch, but
didn't get one. He strode over to Mandy and crouched down in front
of her. "Maybe this afternoon you could keep your grandfather
company. I bet he'd like to look at your new books."
    Mitch had bought Mandy a talking book and a
puppet to go with it. He's also gifted her with a couple of
classics. When he'd presented the gifts to her, his face had lit up
as if he was the one receiving a present. Laura had been touched by
his thoughtfulness. But he'd brushed her thanks aside, saying he
just wanted Mandy to feel at home. Now he was promoting the
relationship between grandfather and granddaughter. Laura should be
doing that herself.
    "Honey, do you want to help us get a room
ready for grandpa?" she asked to include her daughter.
    Mandy jumped off the sofa and stuck her hand
in her mother's. "Okay. Can I show him my puppet?"
    Ray boomed, "Sure you can. We'll get to know
each other this afternoon when your mom and Mitch go to the
store."
    Her hand tightened around Laura's. "Mommy,
you're not leaving, are you?"
    Laura read the unspoken message. Don't leave
me alone with him. Laura swallowed, suddenly at a loss.
    "I'll go to the store alone if you want to
stay with your dad and Mandy," Mitch suggested easily.
    Laura didn't know if he was trying to keep
her away from the business or if he was being sensitive to Mandy's
needs. It didn't matter. Her daughter came first. "That'll work for
today." She hugged Mandy. "While Grandpa rests, you and I can
explore the treehouse."
    "Super!"
    When Ray frowned, his heavy brows steepled.
"You be careful with her, Laura. The gardener checks it but..."
    "I won't let anything happen to her," Laura
said firmly, then wished she hadn't been so abrupt. She should be
glad he was taking an interest in his granddaughter. She wished she
could stop feeling defensive around him.
    A few minutes later, Laura helped Nora make
up the sofa bed while Mandy fluffed pillows in the bedroom. Nora
tucked in the corner of the sheet. "Don't feel bad Ray wants
Mitch's help. Man to man he feels more...easy."
    "He's pushing me away."
    Nora looked as if she wanted to say
something.
    Laura flipped the sheet under the mattress.
"You can be honest with me. I need all the help I can get with
Dad."
    "He doesn't know how to act with you any more
than you know how to act with him. Mitch and Carey are the same
way. That's why Carey hasn't been around when Mitch is here."
    Laura shook her head ruefully. "I wish life
had a road map."
    Nora moved to the foot of the bed to fold it
away. "Give yourself time. You've only been here a