BOOK 5

'She’s all clean and changed, Mommy,’ Lynne said, glancing at her sister-in-law. ‘And she really was awake. I heard her when I went in to put the coffee on.’

‘Right,’ Ann said, disbelief in her tone, but her expression held nothing but loving indulgence.

Lynne continued to rock the baby, stroking a finger tenderly along the Mandy’s cheek. In response to that touch, a small, pursed mouth made sucking motions as the infant turned her head toward Lynne’s breast.

‘Wrong fountain, angel-face,’ she said with a laugh, dropping a kiss on the soft, downy, pale red hair before passing the baby over to Ann. ‘Better go see your mom.’

Ann, quite unselfconsciously, discreetly lifted her T-shirt, snuggled the baby close and let her nurse.

Cliff looked at Lynne, and the heavy, dragging pain grew to unmanageable proportions. ‘I have to go,’ he said, abruptly shoving back his chair. ‘Thanks for dinner.’

‘Oh, dear, I’ve embarrassed you,’ Ann said. ‘I’m sorry. Come on, Lynnie, let’s us girls go ins