Moira straightened her shoulders and quickly plastered a polished smile over her face, burying the irritation that had flashed across her features.
She just arrived home, and the last thing she needed was for anyone to see her losing her temper.
With measured steps, she crossed the lawn toward the group.
"Shay, baby… Mommy's back."
The little girl was still perched on Asher's shoulder. At the sound of Moira's voice, Shay turned around.
For a fleeting second, Moira expected the same bright smile Shay had given Lara.
Instead, the sunshine disappeared from the little girl's face.
Shay sat straighter and looked at her mother with the stiff politeness of a child greeting a teacher.
"Mommy Moira."
Moira stopped.
Her smile twitched.
"What kind of greeting is that?" she asked, her voice losing some of its sweetness. "Am I your teacher?"
Shay's small shoulders tensed.
