A/N: Please forgive me if there are longer breaks between uploads. I just got a new doggo and she's taking up a lot of time and energy at the moment lol

Enjoy the chapter!


Chapter 9

Sure enough, Mary and Edwina went and got Kate a knee brace at the chemist's after taking her home. They also bought her some more bruise cream and extra-strength Tylenol, which Kate was begrudgingly grateful for. She didn't like that her mother and sister were going out of their way for her like this, but her knee was hurting quite a bit, and it was nice that they cared.

The following day, Kate's bruise had turned to a dark bluish purple color. She put on the knee brace, which did help her walk a bit easier, and she was able to limp around the house in only a minor amount of pain. Mary and Edwina clearly wanted to help her, but Kate insisted she was fine.

"Kate, we only want to help," Edwina said as Kate hopped on one foot to grab something from the top of the pantry. "We don't want you hurting yourself."

"I appreciate your concern, but I promise I'm fine," Kate insisted, bringing down the box of Raisin Bran and moving over to another cupboard to grab a bowl. "I've dealt with bruises before."

"Well, this one is clearly bothering you," Mary pointed out, watching Kate's limping gait. "I must say, I'm glad Agatha is giving you the next few days off at the farm. I hate the idea of you riding a horse when you're in so much pain."

"Yeah, but now I'm doomed to be bored out of my mind for the next few days," Kate sighed, limping over to the counter. "Can't do anything except laze around in bed while reading and watching TV."

"You poor thing," Edwina teased. "Forced to get a vacation like that."

"It's not a vacation when I actually enjoy my job," Kate pointed out. "I like riding horses, even in my free time."

"And it wouldn't kill you to take a small break from it for a bit," Mary pointed out, grabbing her keys and picking up her purse. "I'm running late for work, but I'll be back this afternoon. I can swing by Lorenzo's Deli and pick up some sandwiches and chicken noodle soup for dinner tonight – how does that sound?"

The girls agreed that that sounded good, and Mary kissed them both goodbye and headed out the door. Once it shut behind her, Edwina turned to Kate with a grin.

"She's gone. Want to have a party?" she asked, and Kate laughed. Edwina always made that joke whenever their mom left them home alone together.

"Don't think I'm going to be doing a lot of partying with this knee," Kate noted, picking up her bowl of cereal and limping toward the staircase. "I can, however, lay in bed and eat cereal for the rest of the morning."

"Wow, you really know how to tear it up," Edwina giggled. "How are we related again?"

"Very funny," Kate said sarcastically. "You going to the mall with your friends today?"

"Maybe this afternoon. I can pick up some new earrings or a cute top," Edwina said. "And I can buy you a cane if you'd like?"

"God, you're full of jokes this morning," Kate rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Why don't you buy yourself a lobotomy?"

"Don't fall and spill your cereal," Edwina called after Kate as she slowly made her way upstairs. Kate simply stuck out her tongue at her sister, and she giggled.

~/~

The whole morning, Daphne was looking for an excuse to go over to the Sharma's house for a visit. And now she had a great one: her mother made biscuits.

She should have realized that that's what her mother would do. Whenever she or one of her siblings were sick or injured, Violet would go out of her way to make homemade chocolate chip biscuits for them. Many times throughout their childhood, Colin would fake being sick or injured if he could get some treats. But, of course, their mother could always tell.

And, of course, Violet decided to bake Kate some of her famous chocolate chip biscuits in an effort to make her knee feel better. As if baked goods had special healing properties or something.

Daphne doubted they would help Kate's knee, but they served her own purposes perfectly.

"I really don't mind, Mum. I can just pop by and bring the biscuits over to her," Daphne insisted as Violet packed the biscuits away inside a Tupperware container. "I'm sure you have better things to do."

"Anthony said the same thing to me the other day," Violet said, sounding both amused and exasperated. "Why is it that whenever I want to stop by the Sharma's house, one of my children offers to go in my stead?"

This piqued Daphne's interest. "Anthony went over to the Sharma's home for you? What for?"

"I made a gift basket for them after they came over for dinner, and Anthony offered to drop it off," Violet said. "It was rather sweet of him, really."

"I don't know if 'Anthony' and 'sweet' belong together in the same sentence," Daphne smirked humorously, though inside she was giddy at the thought of Anthony going next door with an excuse to talk to Kate.

Talking to Kate is exactly the reason why I want to go there right now too.

"Your brother can be sweet… when he wants to be," Violet said, raising her eyebrows in a way that made Daphne giggle. Violet finished packing away the biscuits and handed the container to her daughter.

"I know you probably want to have a little 'girl-time' with Kate, so go on," she said amusedly. "Say hello to her for me, and tell her I hope she's feeling better."

"I will," Daphne promised, accepting the Tupperware container before turning and heading out the door.

Anthony was holed up in his study again this morning, which Daphne was grateful for: he had told her explicitly not to speak to Kate for him, so he probably wouldn't like what she was about to do. She made sure to quickly glance toward his study window and ensure he wasn't watching her as she made her way across the yard toward the Sharma's house.

She rang the doorbell, and a few moments later, Edwina answered.

"Daphne," Edwina beamed brightly, stepping aside so she could come inside. "Come in! What brings you over?"

"Hi. My mum baked you guys some biscuits," Daphne smiled, stepping inside as Edwina closed the door behind her. "Well, they're more for Kate. They're supposed to make her knee feel better."

"That's so nice of her! Biscuits do tend to have healing properties," Edwina giggled. "Kate went upstairs to eat her breakfast, but I think she's napping now. So I doubt she would mind if a couple biscuits went missing, don't you think?"

Daphne laughed. "I think perhaps a few won't hurt."

Edwina went to grab two plates and a couple glasses of milk, and Daphne moved to set the Tupperware container down on the counter. She had come over here hoping to talk to Kate, but perhaps Edwina would be the wealth of information she needed.

Anthony said he didn't want me talking to Kate… but he never said anything about talking to Edwina.

"So, apart from your rogue mallet accidentally hitting Kate in the knee, did you guys still have fun yesterday?" Daphne asked, taking a bite of the biscuit as Edwina did the same.

"Oh, definitely! Your family is so much fun," Edwina smiled sincerely as she chewed. "And I know my mum and Kate thought so too."

"Great. I'm glad," Daphne smiled back. "We all felt so terrible when Kate got hurt: my sister Eloise hasn't stopped asking how Kate's doing, and I know that Anthony has been worried too."

"Anthony?" Edwina asked, and Daphne noticed the other girl's eyes lighting up slightly. "You know, I thought it was very kind of him to go to Kate's aid like that. I think Kate was grateful, though I know she would never admit it."

"Your sister and my brother seem to both have stubbornness in common," Daphne pointed out amusedly.

"Really?" Edwina asked. "I never really thought of him as stubborn. He's always been very selfless and kind, at least toward me."

"He is all of those things," Daphne assured her quickly. "Absolutely. But as his sister, I feel I know all of his bad qualities just as well as his good."

"I have to admit, I'm the same with Kate," Edwina smirked. "What is it about siblings that bring out the very worst in you?"

"I have no idea," Daphne grinned back. She took another bite of her biscuit, chewing slowly as she thought about what she wanted to say next. She finally decided to ask her, but did her best to be subtle about it: "Edwina, I was hoping to ask you something... about Anthony?"

Edwina's face seemed to light up again upon hearing his name, and Daphne immediately took note of it. "Yeah? What about him?"

Daphne raised her eyebrows, her face breaking out into a knowing smile. "Do you know?"

Edwina's smile remained in place. "No. I have no idea what you're talking about," she said, a bit too innocently.

Daphne stared at her for a second before the two girls burst out giggling. Both of them tried to contain their mirth, though were clearly unsuccessful. "Look… I promised Anthony I wouldn't bring it up," Daphne said once she calmed down a bit. "But I've happened to notice that there is a certain someone that he may like more than he's willing to admit. And I'm just curious to know if… maybe… she likes him too?"

Edwina looked beyond excited to hear Daphne say that. "Really?" she asked, her voice vibrating slightly with giddiness. "Well, I can confirm that she definitely likes him too. A lot, actually."

Daphne bit back a triumphant squeal. "I knew it! Oh, this is wonderful news!" She quickly waved her hand. "But I promise this is the last I'll speak of it. I don't want Anthony finding out I spoke to you and getting angry."

Edwina bit back a pleased smile, her cheeks blushing red. "Don't worry, I won't say anything," she assured her, taking another bite of her half-eaten biscuit.

Daphne smiled back before finishing off her own treat, feeling satisfied.

~/~

Kate had overheard Daphne come in, but neither she nor Edwina saw Kate standing on the second-floor landing. Kate was about to go downstairs and greet them when she overheard Daphne mention Anthony… specifically, about Anthony liking someone.

Liking Edwina, apparently.

It was unclear from the conversation, but Edwina was obviously pleased with what Daphne had said, and Daphne's agreeing giggles were confirmation.

Daphne somehow knows that Anthony likes Edwina. Did Anthony lie to me? Am I just a fool?

Feeling confused and more hurt than she wanted to admit, Kate turned around and quietly limped back into her room, deciding to pretend that she had been asleep this whole time.


A/N: I know. I'm sorry lol

So what do you think's going to happen next? Let me know!

Thank you for all the comments and support!