Alberta

Chapter Thirty Five: Who is that *

Willa had popped out briefly and left us in charge of dinner. She had laid out a dozen or so take out menus and told us to pick what we wanted on her, and to let her know where and when and she would collect it on her way back. I admit I was feeling a little like her exit was shrouded in secrecy and wondered where she had gone, but she said it would be a pleasant surprise. Harper picked out a Chinese and we chose what we thought Willa may like from the menu. I made the call, then sent a message to Willa on where to collect from.

"Where did she go do you think" Harper asked as we lounged on the couch.

"I honestly have no idea" I reply, watching her flick through the channels until she came to a stop on a popular teen show that I had seen bits of when Harper would watch it. It was always to her annoyance, as I continuously asked what was happening or what I had missed. Honestly I was the bain of her life at this point and I often remembered how my mother would scold me for this exact attitude that I had had with her. My season of life was finally where my mother had been, raising a child through teenage rebellion. She should still have been doing that with Hyrum, her last teen to see through its hormonal clutches. My father had to take that role on solo, and I thought he was doing a pretty decent job of it in her absence, and through his own sorrow.

Half an hour later the lights flashed on the window as Willa pulled into the driveway and she appeared from the car with the take out bag in hand. "Mama" Harper asked as she walked to the window "who is that with aunty Willa" she asked looking out curiously.

I stood up and walked over to stand beside her "I have no idea" I replied with a furrowed brow. "No idea at all" I trailed off as Willa walked up the steps and unlocked the door.

"Dinner is here" she called out cheerily as she entered the kitchen and set the brown bag down. The girl that came in behind her, dropped her bag down on the floor as the front door shut. Harper and I stood watching and waiting on the introduction. The girl wasn't much older than Harper. She had dark curly hair neatly pulled into a pony tail, and casual clothing, in jeans and an oversized sweater. I recognised her now that I looked at her further "This" Willa said coming and placing her hands on the girls shoulders "is Teddy" she introduced "Teddy this is Allie...and this is Harper... Harper is also staying with me this summer"

The girl waved casually "hey" she offered. "The Allie" she observed with a knowing smile she flashed at Willa.

"Teddy was on my team in Oregon... she got a college scholarship last year... she goes in September" Willa adds proudly. "She liked the idea of keeping her skills on point this summer, and making a little money helping me at camp"

"It's a pretty sweet deal" Teddy acknowledged, and Harper smiled, she seemed thrilled to have another girl around.

"Let me help you take your bag up" Harper offered, and she and Teddy walked off in animated conversation.

"Are you collecting them... teen ballers" I ask with a smile.

Willa places her arm around my waist and pulls me in for a sneaky peck. Her lips are soft and leave me wanting another as she releases me and turns back to the take out, taking the cartons out and grabbing the plates.

"I am nothing if not dedicated to the game....until I get you here, and then I won't need to fill my time with basketball. I will fill my time with you" she says turning back with a wink.

"That better be a promise" I return playfully. I am about to capture her waist with my fingers, but the girls appear and I retreat back.

Willa turns and smiles at me realising how close that was. "So close Allie" she teases "yet so far"