Evidently, he had an affair with her but couldn’t be with her due to needing to marry another woman. My mother was wealthy and when she found out she was pregnant with us, she didn’t tell him. She’d kept it a secret until her very last breath. After her death, I thought about looking for him, but then again, growing up with the man I call my stepfather, I never did. I didn’t think I’d want to know if my father were anything like the man who raised me. I shudder at the thought and hope he isn’t. My stepfather hid who he was from my mother and sister, but never me.
As I lift the book I’m planning to read to the kids, the door opens again as my other best friend comes in holding the little boy she’s the nanny for. She’d been lucky when looking for a job after leaving her last job. Now she lives in the guest house of a single dad and watches his son Monday thru Friday.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask, smiling at her.
“Decided to bring this little guy out for a change of scenery,” she murmurs.
“Awe, you have Ry-Ry,” Alison says, joining us.
“I didn’t know you were Ryland’s nanny,” Bridget states as her son comes to me and holds his hands out for me to pick him up. I glance to Bridget to make sure she’s okay with me lifting him up. At her nod, I pick the little guy up and show him the books I’d picked out for us to read.
“Yeah, I love being this little guy’s nanny. He’s a great kid even if his dad is a pain,” Lillian giggles.
Some would think of questioning whether she’s banged the boss yet or not, but I know my friend. She’d go for me before going there with a guy. According to her, dick doesn’t do a thing for her.
“I’ve got to get to story time, but how about you guys stay for a coffee after and we can catch up,” I suggest.
“Sounds good to me,” Bridget says, nodding.
“I’ll be here. I don’t have to be back at the house with Ryland until nap time. I told his dad we were coming here for story time, so he’s cool.” Lillian shrugs.
Nodding to them, I carry the little guy in my arms over to the carpet and take my seat amongst the other little ones. This is what I love about my bookstore and having story time. My mom might have been somewhat strict a lot of times, but she always did a story with Ensley and me at night before bed. She’s the one who got me stuck on books and encouraged my love for reading. The words on pages became my escape as well as my passion. It’s why I opened this bookstore. Though, I did do it under an LLC my friend, Miya De Luca, had her brother set up for me.
Miya and I went to school together, though she’s a few years older than me, we were in the same grade thanks to my skipping two grades. We’d been close and shared secrets with each other about our lives. She knew what my stepfather did to me. I knew what had happened to her as well. I haven’t spoken to her much lately because of her dealing with her own mess going on.
Reading the story to all the kids, I place a smile on my face to hide my darker thoughts. As I read to the group, I stop several times to ask them what they thought of what occurred through each page. I love doing this to make sure they understand the story and the meaning behind it.
I finish up, and moms and dads thank me while gathering up their kids to head out. Bridget comes to gather her son so that I can stand.
Zoe has coffees for all of us by the time I get to the counter.
“Thank you,” I murmur, needing the caffeine.
“You’re welcome,” Zoe says in return and looks to the rest of the group. “So, what’s been going on with you all?”
“Well, I confirmed with a doctor that I’m pregnant, and now I’m freaking out about telling Mitch,” Alison blurts out.
“Wait, what? How far along are you?” Bridget asks, shocked at the news. Something in her eyes tells me she knows something.
“Um, well, I . . . ugh, see that’s the thing, I’m nearly four months along and just had it confirmed,” Alison rambles and licks her lips nervously.
“How the hell is that possible?” Zoe asks, furrowing her brows.
“It’s very possible for a woman not to know right away. Shoot, they even have a show about it on TV. You need to tell him before you start showing,” Lillian says gently.
“I’m going to tell him tonight; I’m just scared of how he might react. He’s been acting different with me lately and I’m nervous that it’s because he’s distancing himself.” Tears slip down Alison’s cheek as she speaks her fear.
“That’s because he already knows and is freaked about you keeping it from him,” Bridget murmurs.
“What?” Alison squeaks.
“Yeah, he told Dean he sensed a difference in you and simply knew you were. Goes to show the man knows his wife better than she knows herself. Now you need to simply tell him. You don’t have anything to be worried about. If anything, it’s him worried because he’s nervous you might do what Mathias’ mom tried doing,” Bridget says with a sad smile on her face.
I wonder what happened there. Then again, it’s not my place to ask about it.
Alison quickly gets up and rushes out of the store on fast feet without another word. I knew she had someone who’d driven her here since she doesn’t drive.
Sighing, Bridget gets up. “Well, tonight should surely be interesting,” she says with a smile. “Thanks for the
