Is that you?”Ava came out of the kitchen with Jenna by her side, her face covered in chocolate.“Aunt Holly!” she said, running into her arms.“Hi, sweet pea! I sure did miss you!” “Guess what? Grandma made five kinds of pie and cookies. I don’t like pie, but I promised her I’d eat all of my beans, so she let me have a cookie before dinner. I took the chocolate one.”Holly looked at her niece’s messy face. “You don’t say,” she laughed. “So did any of it wind up in your tummy?”“Yup, and it was de-licious!”Laughing, Ava tried to wipe her daughter clean with a napkin. “This little one already wore Mom out. She went upstairs to take a nap before dinner. The men are downstairs playing pool and watching the game. You know how they are.” She gave her sister a hug. “It’s so good to see you. Where’s Jared?” She pulled back. “Are you okay?Holly only shook her head, knowing the moment she said the words her tears would start flowing. “Jenna, honey,”
