Rachel returned home full of joy, stepping out of the car with a cup of coffee in one hand and a small cake in the other.
Cora was playing in the yard with Aunt Ives.
When she saw Rachel coming back, she ran over happily, her delicate face and rosy lips lifted in a smile.
"Mommy!"
Rachel nodded and raised one slender white arm. "Look what Mommy brought you to eat!"
"It's my favorite cake!" Cora exclaimed joyfully. "Mommy, thank you!"
Cora blew a kiss and pointed to the cup in Rachel's other hand, thinking it was for her. "What's this one for?"
"This is coffee! It's not for you," Rachel replied, lips curling up with a hint of shyness, her face slightly red.
Aunt Ives stood to the side, watching with a smile, saying nothing.
Rachel looked up, her apricot eyes catching Aunt Ives' ambiguous smile, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed.
She softly asked, "Where's President Elliott?"
