Willa flinched, but she didn’t let her expression betray her hurt.

 “A friend of mine is very good in chemistry. I could call her and ask if she would be willing to help,” Willa offered.

 “Who?” Sissy asked suspiciously.

 “Rachel Adams.”

 “That’s Jace’s cousin.”

 Willa saw the first spark of interest in the girl since she had moved in her home. Leave it to a male to accomplish what I can’t, Willa thought.

 “Yes. Would you like me to call her?”

 Sissy tried to unsuccessfully appear disinterested. “Whatever.”

 “I’ll call as soon as I finish picking up.”

 Sissy began to put away Charlie’s game controllers then helped Leanne without Willa having to urge her. When the living room was done, and she had settled the little ones in the backyard to play with the cat she had adopted, she placed the call to Rachel.

 “Hello.”

 “Hi, Rachel, this is Willa. I hate to ask, but I have a favor if you’re not too busy.”

 “Not at all. What do you need?”

 “I was wondering if you would be able to help Sissy with her chemistry homework tonight. I know it’s an imposition at this late notice.”

 “I’m sitting here, bored to death while Cash is working late at the factory. I can be there in thirty minutes.”

 “Thanks, Rachel.”

 “No problem. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

 Willa hung up and glanced at a waiting Sissy. “She’ll be here in thirty minutes.”

 Sissy nodded then went back inside the house without a thank you, wearing the same expression of dislike that she constantly wore.

 Willa played with the children outside for twenty minutes then hustled them inside so she could finish dinner.

 She was wiping Caroline’s face off when the doorbell rang. She went to answer the door, but Sissy was already opening it.

 “Hi, Rachel. I really appreciate you helping Sissy.”

 Rachel came inside with a bright smile on her face, relieving Willa of the thought that she had possibly put her out.

 “I was only watching some television, Willa. I don’t mind at all.”

 Willa left Rachel and Sissy alone as she went to the kitchen, afraid she would draw a sharp comment from Sissy. She let the children play at the table with the Play-Doh she kept on hand for the girls to keep them busy when she was baking so as not to disturb the tutoring session.

 She fixed dinner plates for the children, sitting at the table with them while they ate. The younger girls played with their food more than they ate, but Willa didn’t force them to finish their food. Charlie finished his plate, even asked for seconds. The children were each so different it kept Willa on her toes to keep them satisfied.

 When Charlie finished, she took them upstairs and readied them for bed. The girls were yawning, while Charlie was fighting bedtime. Willa let them all lie on her bed and put on their favorite show as she lay and watched it with them. Chrissy fell asleep, cuddled next to her, while Caroline and Charlie watched the program.

 Once it was over, she put the girls in bed before checking on Charlie. She pulled his covers up from the bottom of the bed, covering the boy who was staring up at her.

 “Willa, I’m sorry I gave the girls the bag. I wanted to play my game, and they were bugging me.”

 Willa smiled down reassuringly at the sleepy-eyed boy. “It was Sissy and Leann’s responsibility to watch you and the girls. You’re a little young to be a babysitter. But I do want you to be more careful with what you give them, Charlie.”

 “I will. I promise.”

 “I’ll take that promise and give you one in return. I won’t leave the girls with you anymore without a responsible adult.” Willa made the vow to herself and Charlie, always learning from her mistakes.

 “Are you mad at Leanne and Sissy?”

 Willa shook her head. “I don’t get mad. I just want to take care of you and your cousins.”

 Charlie’s eyes drooped as she turned out his light, closing the door softly as she left.

 Willa knocked on Leanne’s door, opening it when she heard the girl’s reply. The fifteen-year-old was sitting at the desk Willa had purchased for her.

 “It’s almost bedtime.”

 “I’m almost finished. I was about to take my shower.”

 When Willa turned to leave, she saw that Leanne was about to say something, but didn’t. The girl knew she had made a mistake, yet like her older sister, she wasn’t ready to take responsibility for the house being in chaos when Willa returned.

 “Good night, Leanne.” Willa left, wishing the girl would learn to trust her. It was going to take time, and Willa realized the adjustment was clearly as difficult for her as for Sissy. Just because she was the least troubled, it didn’t mean her emotions weren’t in turmoil.

 Willa went down the steps as Sissy and Rachel were closing the laptop.

 “Thanks, Rachel.” The friendly tone in the usually abrasive girl had Willa raising her brow.

 “Sissy, I left a plate for you in the kitchen,” Willa told her, hoping her better mood would save her from another of Sissy’s stinging retorts.

 “I’m not hungry.” Sissy brushed past her as she went to the steps.

 Willa moved to the side of the couch, seeing Rachel’s concerned gaze. It was the same expression everyone always gave her. They believed she was weak and helpless. She wasn’t, though. She simply didn’t like confrontations, preferring to go out of her way to avoid them, but that didn’t make her a wimp. It made her cautious.

 “Is there anything else I can do to help out?” Rachel offered.

 “No, I have everything under control.” Willa kept her voice firm.

 “All right then. Don’t hesitate to call if you do. I imagine it can be overwhelming with five children and a business to run. I don’t mind pitching in if you need me.”

 “I’ll keep that in mind.”

 Willa walked Rachel to the door where Rachel paused with a confused frown directed at her.

 “Can I ask why you didn’t help Sissy?”

 “She didn’t think I could.” Willa refused to show that her feelings had been hurt by a teenager. After all, everyone knew teenagers were difficult to deal with.

 Willa tried to be understanding. If Sissy needed to spill her venom in her direction, then she could tolerate it until her relative could be found.

 “You didn’t tell her that you won the science award four years in a row?”

 “Sissy wanted you. I think she wanted an in with your cousin Jace.”

 Rachel shuddered. “She asked me several questions about him, which I avoided. Those two together would not be good.”

 Willa stiffened. “You think Sissy would be a bad influence on Jace?”

 Rachel shook her head, laughing, and then placed her hand on her arm. “Relax, mother hen. Jace would be a bad influence on Sissy. Drake is constantly getting him out of trouble.”