From the Heart

like an apple pie?”
    Alison sat back and took a deep breath. “I don’t think so. Would you?”
    “Not if I want to get into that dress. What did you get me for Christmas?”
    “It’s a—Kasey!” Alison exclaimed.
    “I thought I might catch you off guard.”
    “It’s supposed to be a secret.” Alison wiped her hands primly. “Telling would spoil it.”
    “Really?” Kasey gave her a guileless smile. “Is that why you’ve been creeping around the house and searching through closets?”
    Alison blushed, then giggled again. “I only thought I might shake some boxes.”
    “That’s an old story.”
    “Christmas is more fun with you here, Kasey.” Her eyes were serious again. “Will you stay forever?”
    Kasey felt the first crack in her heart. How could she explain to the girl what she didn’t want to think of herself? “Forever is a long time, Alison.” She kept her voice quiet and her eyes level. “I’ll have to leave when my job’s finished.”
    “But can’t you stay and keep working for Uncle Jordan?”
    “He doesn’t need a resident anthropologist, Alison. And I’ve work of my own.” She watched the child’s gaze falter and drop. “Friends stay friends, Alison, no matter how far apart they are. I love you.” She reached out to lay her hand over Alison’s. “That’s not going to change.”
    “Will you come back?” Alison lifted her eyes again. “And visit me?”
    I can’t, she wanted to say. How can you ask me? Can’t you understand how it would hurt me? “You could visit me,” she said instead. “Would you like that?”
    “Really?” Alison’s smile bloomed again. “And your grandfather?”
    “Sure. Pop would love it.” She began to pile things back on the tray. “You’re much better behaved than I ever was. Why don’t you dump all this stuff in the trash?”
    Kasey took a moment when she was alone at the tablé to pull herself together. It was better this way. Alison was already being prepared. And what about me? She shut her eyes a moment. I’ve said I’ll pay the price when the time comes. I have to stick to that.
    “Ready?” she said and gave Alison a smile when she came back to the table. “Now we have to find a post office so I can mail off those things to my grandfather. Do you think he’ll like that little gnome with the buck teeth?”
    When they entered the house, Alison was laughing, struggling to balance her share of Kasey’s purchases. “I’ll help you wrap them,” she said, grabbing at a sliding box.
    “We’d better get them upstairs first.” Kasey rescued the box and glanced up as Beatrice came down the stairs.
    “Alison, what have you been doing?” She frowned at the child’s windblown hair.
    “Alison helped me with my Christmas shopping, Mrs. Taylor.”
    Beatrice shifted her gaze and met Kasey’s eyes. “I don’t approve of you taking Alison from the house without discussing it with me first.” She turned to her granddaughter again. “Go up and brush your hair, Alison. You look a sight.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    Kasey watched her walk obediently up the stairs. She turned back to Beatrice and spoke calmly. “I’m sorry if you were concerned, Mrs. Taylor. You were out when we left, and I did tell Millicent what our plans were.”
    Beatrice lifted a brow. “I dislike being informed by a servant of the whereabouts of my grandchild.”
    “It didn’t occur to me you’d notice she wasn’t here.”
    Beatrice’s color flared. “Are you criticizing me, Miss Wyatt?”
    “Of course not, Mrs. Taylor.” Kasey fought to keep the conversation in perspective. “I enjoy Alison’s company, she enjoys mine. We spent an afternoon together. I’m sorry if you were worried.”
    “I find your attitude impertinent.”
    “I can only repeat, I’m sorry,” Kasey replied evenly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go put these things away.”
    “You’d be wise to remember your position in this house, Miss Wyatt.” Kasey stopped, then set down her packages. It seemed they weren’t through just yet. “You’re a paid servant and can very easily be replaced.”
    “I’m here on a job, Mrs. Taylor, and no one’s servant unless I choose to be.” She paused a moment. “Is that all you have to say to me?”
    “I won’t tolerate your insubordination.” Beatrice’s knuckles whitened on the post of the banister. She wasn’t accustomed to being looked at so directly by someone she considered an employee. “I won’t