Between Us Girls by Sally John Page A

an earthy dresser, sort of Hippie Meets L.L. Bean, Senior Style. “I won’t keep you long. As cheeky Chadwick has already asked me, is this meeting about saving Jasmyn?”
    Laughter rippled through the group. Everyone knew only Chad would ask the question. They also knew the answer.
    By “saving,” Liv meant making the stranger feel welcome. When Sam had first moved into the Casa, there had been a similar meeting. She didn’t know about it until after Piper had moved in and Sam was part of a meeting to save Piper. It was then she realized why each resident had managed to do special favors for her in those early weeks.
    â€œJasmyn will tell you her story when and if she wants to, but she gave me permission to share a few things. About six months ago she lost her house in Illinois and everything she owned when a tornado hit. She came here for a little vacation. Then, as you know, her rental car was stolen along with all of her things. Talk about a double whammy.”
    A murmur of sympathy rolled through the room.
    â€œNew credit cards and a temporary driver’s license are in the mail, but she has no clothes or food aside from what we provided last night. Piper has taken her shopping tonight. I’m sure Jasmyn will pay her back.” Liv glanced over at Keagan.
    Deadpan Keagan did not respond.
    He and Liv had an odd relationship, somewhat like that of a president and her secret service agent. No question about it, the guy watched over her. Liv would have given Piper money for the shopping trip simply because she trusted Jasmyn’s character. Keagan, on the other hand, would have run a background check on her last night and taught her—if she did not already understand—how to electronically pay Liv back.
    â€œSo.” Liv brought her hands together in a single clap. “What do you all think? What can we do for Jasmyn?”
    Casa people were a brainstorming bunch. Suggestions flowed from everyone but Keagan and Sam. Keagan was being Keagan, and Sam was thinking about work. On second thought, she too was just being herself.
    Tasha walked over to Liv and laid a hand on her arm. It was the little girl’s polite way of letting Liv know she wanted a turn to speak.
    Sam’s heart came as close to melting as possible, although she never let on that Tasha affected her like that. It wasn’t pity over the fact that Down syndrome heaped special challenges on the youngster. It was, rather, an almost reverence because there was absolutely no guile in her.
    Liv patted Tasha’s hand. “What’s your idea, honey?”
    The little girl flashed her thousand-watt smile. “Let’s give Jasmyn lots and lots and lots of hugs.”
    Laughter ended the meeting and Sam slipped away.
    Liv caught up with her at the front door. “Samantha, dear, might I put a bug in your ear?” She went on, not waiting for a reply. “Jasmyn is a runner.” She smiled, squeezed Sam’s arm, and turned back inside.
    Sam went out into the cool evening air and considered that Jasmyn factoid for about two seconds. Liv’s bug was nothing compared to the lions growling in Sam’s path.
    Maybe she could talk Randy into giving her a different assignment. Maybe—
    â€œHow does she do that?”
    She jumped at Chad’s voice over her shoulder. “Chad!”
    â€œWhoops, sorry. Seriously, how does she do it?”
    There was no need to ask whom he was talking about. “Do what?”
    â€œMake me want to take part in her crazy scheme.”
    â€œShe put something in the lasagna.”
    â€œAha! It worked on you too, didn’t it?”
    Sam stopped and faced him, her hands on her hips, determined to deny his assumption. Instead, the tiny white patio lights glittered in the jacaranda tree and the palms. The fountain sang gently like an ancient lullaby. She saw herself last night gathering linens, lifting the portable television from her kitchen counter,