“You’re Tim Gardner’s oldest, aren’t you?” she said.
“Yes ma’am.”
She wrinkled her nose and flashed Mark a motherly smile. “You’ve grown some since the last time we met. I’m Heather’s grandmother.”
“Yes ma’am, I remember you.”
“Okay!” Heather said, cutting through all conversation in the room. “Who’s next on the list?”
Her mother closed the kitchen drawer, a business card in her hands. “Why don’t you take a break, Heather?” implored Lauren, gesturing in Mark’s direction.
Hesitating, Heather regarded her mother for a moment. Glancing at Mark, she nodded.
“All right,” she relented.
Dawn had moved from her position and was about to leave the room. Heather intercepted her sister before she reached the doorway.
“Here,” she growled, placing the phone in Dawn’s hand. “Make yourself usefu
