Promises to Keep Nan Rossiter (books for 7th graders .txt) 📖

and positive thinking will do,” Maeve said.

Harper nodded.

“Mary was quite a character. She started off being ornery and grouchy, but she really turned around.”

“She did,” Harper agreed. “Colin did, too. I loved all the animals, especially that little robin who showed Mary where the key was.”

“That robin loved having them working on the garden and keeping her company.”

“She did,” Harper agreed. “She liked when they turned over the soil because it helped her find bugs and worms.” She smiled. “But I still like Dickon the best.”

“Still remind you of Sam?” Maeve teased, raising her eyebrows.

“Yeah,” she nodded. “I miss him . . . and Rudy.” It had been nearly a month since she’d seen Rudy. Rudy was the daughter of her caseworker at DFCS, Cora Grant—the wonderful lady who’d jumped through hoops to find a home for her. Harper had spent so much time at their house—because she’d been kicked out of so many other homes—that she and Rudy had grown as close as sisters, and when Harper had finally been adopted by Ben and Macey, the two friends had vowed to stay close.

“I’m sure you can have them over sometime,” Maeve said. “And before you know it, you’ll be back in school and you’ll see Sam every day.”

“When does school start?” Harper asked.

“Middle of August, I think.”

“Sheesh, summer just started.”

“I know,” Maeve said. “Summer always flies by.”

Harper nodded and then frowned. “That reminds me—I’m supposed to sleep over at Rudy’s next weekend, sooo . . . no book club.”

“What?!” Maeve teased. “I already picked up our next book at the library.”

“You did? What is it?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Tell me! I won’t read it!” Harper said. “That would ruin everything.”

“Okay, so long as you promise.”

Harper rolled her eyes, waiting, but Maeve didn’t say anything. “Well?”

“It’s called ‘Because of Winn-Dixie.’”

Harper frowned, thinking. “What’s it about?”

“It’s about a girl and a dog.”

“Is there a movie?”

“There is,” Maeve confirmed, “which reminds me! If we’re gonna watch this movie, we better get started.”

Harper nodded. “I’m gonna have another slice of pizza. You want one?”

“Sure,” Maeve said, opening her laptop to find the movie online. “Do you want me to heat them up?”

“No,” Harper said, gently lifting Keeper’s head off her lap, and getting up and stretching. “I can do it.”

Two minutes later, she came back with two warmed-up slices of pizza and handed one to Maeve. “I wish I had a secret garden, Aunt Maeve.”

“Gardens . . . and gardening can definitely be therapeutic,” Maeve said, thinking about all the weeding she’d been doing since she’d moved in with Gage. It had become her new pastime. Weeding made her feel honest, and it kept her out of trouble. Mainly, it kept her from snooping around the internet for more information about the Tennyson family because she’d decided she wanted to wait for Gage to share when he was ready. He’d introduced her to Chase and that was a step in the right direction. Besides, she didn’t want to be dishonest—she already had enough skeletons. “Gage has some lovely gardens,” she said with a smile, “but he hates to weed.”

“I’ll help you weed,” Harper offered hopefully.

“You don’t think you’d get bored?”

She shook her head. “I’d love it,” she said, taking a bite of her pizza. “Is Gage gonna get more chickens?”

“Funny you should ask,” Maeve said, clicking on the movie, “because he’s picking up two new chicks tomorrow.”

“He is?!” Harper asked. “Can I go?”

“If you want to,” Maeve answered, thinking about their plans for the next day. “And then you can come over and help weed.”

“Can we plant something, too?”

“Sure! We can pick up some plants when we’re at Agway.”

“Yes!” Harper said, pumping her fist.

Maeve chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a kid so excited about weeding.”

As Harper reached for her root beer, Big Mac sauntered in, hopped on the couch, and curled up next to them. “I’m just excited about working in a garden.”

EARLY THE NEXT MORNING, GAGE AND MAEVE PICKED UP HARPER. “YOU should’ve taken her home with you,” Macey said when Maeve came into the kitchen and reached for a coffee mug.

“I thought about that,” Maeve replied as she poured the steaming coffee, “but she was sound asleep and I knew she’d have to have her medicine. It was late and it just seemed complicated, but maybe we can plan an overnight soon.”

Coming into the kitchen and overhearing her aunt’s words, Harper grinned. “I could stay over tonight,” she said hopefully, looking from her aunt to her mom.

“Fine with me,” Macey said with a shrug, but then she raised her eyebrows and eyed her sister questioningly. “You just had girls’ night last night.”

Maeve nodded. “That’s okay. We can do tonight. We’ve been talking about it long enough, right? We should do it!”

“Yes!” Harper said, pumping her fist. “I’ll go pack!” And before anyone could change their mind, she was racing up the stairs.

“Make sure you pack clothes for church!” Macey called. Then she turned to Maeve and asked, “Are you going to church?”

“I can,” Maeve said. “It would probably make Mom happy because she thinks I’ve fallen off God’s list of potential candidates for heaven.”

“It probably would,” Macey said. “Should you ask Gage first?”

“He’ll be fine. We don’t have anything goin’ on. Just picking up the baby chicks and working around the house.”

“Okay,” Macey said, sounding unconvinced. “By the way, have you seen the fox again?”

“Not since it took Eggna. I think I scared the bejesus out of it with all my yelling . . . and it’s a good thing because Gage is planning to shoot it if it comes back.”

Macey looked alarmed. “He keeps his gun locked up, right?”

“Of course! Don’t worry.”

“Mm-hmm,” Macey said skeptically.

“Tell me Ben doesn’t have a gun,” Maeve said defensively.

“He does, but I know it’s locked up and the key is tucked away.”

Just then, Gage peeked in the screen door. “You and Harper comin’?”

“Good morning to you, too,” Macey said.

“Mornin’, Mace,” Gage replied with an impish grin, as he came in with Ben behind him. “Forgive me for forgetting my manners.”

“You’re forgiven,” she said, giving him a hug.