“It means we will be staying friends. Which is good. You can never have enough good friends.”
“You’re lying. The Brit is getting to you.”
“I hardly know him.”
“It doesn’t take long. When you know, you know. All it took for me was one phone call with Sawyer.”
I remembered her gushing about him after the said phone call and about their date that never came to be because the unthinkable happened when her mom died and Sawyer, in a weird twist, became her stepbrother. We watched Sawyer and Emma for a year as they tiptoed around their feelings all while becoming “best friends.” She never said it, but we all knew Emma preferred him over any of us. No one could blame her. He instinctively knew how to take care of her. He knew her. Kind of like how Miles seemed to know me. Or was that Isabella? I wasn’t sure.
Maybe now was a good time to tell Emma about Miles’s family. “I’m happy for you, Em. But Miles didn’t have me sign that contract just for the fun of it. His mother,” I whispered, “was the nanny to his older brother.”
“So?” Emma questioned, but then it dawned on her. “Ohhhh. Was his dad married to another woman?”
“Yes, and Miles’s mother ran away, so Miles’s father never knew about him until he was in his late teens.”
“Holy crap! Talk about a soap opera.”
“Exactly, which is why Miles doesn’t want a scandal with his nanny.”
Emma thought for a second. “Yeah, but neither of you are married. Unless he is. Is he?”
“No, but you don’t need to be married for scandals to occur and . . .”
“And what?”
“Well, there’s this woman, Penelope Williams, who he’s friends with. She’s constantly posting on his social media and he has several of the photographs she’s taken hanging up around the house. You should look her up. She’s based out of London and extremely successful and talented, not to mention striking. Not like gorgeous, but I could see why Miles would be attracted to her. I get the feeling there is unfinished business between them.”
“Hmm. Are you sure?”
“It’s the vibe I get from her comments and the way he looks longingly at the photos. At first, I thought it was only because he missed London, but I think it’s more than that. I think he misses her.” A tinge of jealousy coursed through me.
“You can miss a friend.”
“Right.” I laughed. “I better go. I have to go inform my daughter that her scumbag father is in town.”
“WHAT! Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I just found out today when I ran into him with guess who?”
“Kylie,” Emma growled. “I had heard rumors she was back in town and getting divorced. I wondered if Leland was why but didn’t say anything, hoping it was a coincidence.”
“It never is with those two.”
“I’m sorry, Aspen. I can’t imagine that was easy on you.”
“It felt like a punch to the gut, but . . . Miles was with me and he was . . .” I didn’t want to tell her about how Miles tried to protect me or the amazing hug that lasted for a few minutes, “nice.” I went with.
“Nice?” she snorted. “There is a story there, but you can tell me when you’re ready.”
I loved her. “I will. Wish me luck.”
“Good luck. Call me if you need anything.”
If she could get me a better father for my daughter, I would be forever grateful.
Chapter Twenty-One
Every time I walked into the cottage, I had to remind myself this wasn’t mine to keep. It was going to be hard to leave the cozy home with shiplap walls, stone hearth, and sweet little window nooks with built-in benches for reading or drinking morning coffee. The designer furniture was dreamy as well. So was the girl who sat on the couch in her PJs doing her homework. For a moment, I reasoned I shouldn’t tell her while she was studying. I knew she wanted to do well on her math test tomorrow. But what if we ran into Leland again? I knew I couldn’t keep this from her, as much as I wanted to.
I sat next to her on the couch and brushed back her wet hair with my hand. “You were looking fierce this evening on the field at practice.”
She set her pencil down, relieved to have an excuse not to study. “That new drill Miles showed me was awesome.”
I thought back to an earlier scene today in the backyard after school and before Chloe, Henry, and I headed to soccer practice. Miles skillfully showed Chloe the blind shot drill. He didn’t go easy on her, but he was kind and he worked with her until she was blocking everything he sent her way. My favorite part was when she got a few shots past him. My next favorite part was seeing Miles in athletic wear playing the sport I loved.
“I think you’re ready for the game on Saturday.”
“Do you think Miles can come?”
“Um . . . we can ask him if he’s available.” I was finding myself conflicted about him coming, especially given what I had to tell her. I didn’t want another man to disappoint her. Maybe he won’t, Emma seemed to whisper to me. That scared me.
“I’m going to ask him tomorrow.”
I nodded, giving her my approval.
She picked her pencil up and went back to staring at her textbook.
I placed my hand on her book. “Baby girl, I need to talk to you.”
Her cute button nose wrinkled. “Did you forget to order my new phone?”
I wished that was all it was. “No. That should be here on Friday.”
“Yes,” she squealed.
Great, now I got to crush her in her moment of joy. I took her hands, remembering how they were once tiny and kissable. I didn’t think she would appreciate me kissing them now. Instead, I held onto them tight. “Honey, there is no easy way for me to say this, so I’m just going to say it,” I rushed my words. “I saw your dad today,” I half mumbled.
Her trembling chin said she’d heard me loud and clear.
“He’s moved back to Colorado,” I added.
Her eyes began to water, making mine do the same. I pulled her to me and stroked her damp hair. I could feel her tears wet my shoulder.
“Do I have to see him?”
“Not if you don’t want to.”
“Does he want to see me?” her voice quivered.
“Yes,” I said quickly to soothe her aching heart.
Her shoulders relaxed against me. “But I can choose?” she needed me to reiterate.
“Yes, baby girl.”
She nestled into me like she was little. I loved it, but my heart ached for her.
“Why did he come back?” she begged to know.
I so badly wanted to tell her it was because of her, but I wasn’t sure. I hated Leland more than ever, but I knew I could never let her know that. Despite how awful he was, my little girl was half of him. I couldn’t tell her I despised part of her. But I knew I had to tell her the truth because odds were Leland would hurt and disappoint her again. And the higher her hopes got, the harder they would fall.
“He got a job with an old friend of his.” That was the truth. There was some other truth I needed to let her know too. “You should also know that you have a baby half-sister.”
She pulled away from me. Her red eyes were blinking rapidly, trying to process this unexpected piece of news. I felt guilty that I hadn’t told her sooner, but the way Leland told me had crushed me. He basically told me he loved his new wife and daughter more than he ever loved Chloe and me. But he lied. He loved no one but himself. Now my heart profoundly broke for his other victims.
“Is she here too?”
“I think she lives in Texas with her mom.”
Chloe’s eyebrows squished together. “How come?”
I struggled a bit to find the right words because all the words that kept coming to me were riddled with four-letter words. “Your dad didn’t say.”
“Oh.” She looked down at her lap.
“Honey, tell me what you’re feeling.”
She fiddled with her hands that
were graced with multiple shades of bright fingernail polish, a different color for each fingernail. “Why did he leave me and his new baby?” It wasn’t the first time she’d asked this question.
I took her fidgeting hands in my own and held onto them for dear life. “Look at me, Chloe.”
Her wet eyes drifted up. I peered as deeply into them as I could, hoping she would believe what I was going to say. “He didn’t leave because of you. He didn’t leave because of me.” I needed to believe that more than anyone. “He didn’t leave his new wife and daughter because of them either. His choices are his own. I don’t know why your dad does the things he does. But I know that despite his choices, we can be happy. You are the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me and I’m so happy you’re mine.” I kissed her forehead and lingered for a moment.
She wrapped her thin arms around me. “I love you.”
“I love you more.” I held her as tight as I could.
“Can I meet my sister?”
Oh. I wasn’t ready for that one. I leaned back. “I don’t know,” I responded, dazed. “Maybe?”
“I think I would like that.” She gave me a small smile.
“Then I’ll see what I can do.” I swallowed hard. “You should get back to studying. Do you need any help?”
“I’m good, but . . . Mom?” She paused. “You won’t make me see him, right?”
“Not until you’re ready,” I promised.
“I want to think about it.”
“Take as much time as you want.”
She nodded, relieved.
I was glad if one of us got to be relieved it was her, but what had I gotten myself into? Even if I did find Leland’s current wife, how did I go about approaching her? Send her a welcome letter to the douche bag’s exes club? More like a congratulations. I wondered if she even knew about me or Chloe. I supposed I would have to try and find out. Chloe deserved at least one parent who kept their word.
~*~
I set my phone on the table in the nook and focused on Henry, who was shirtless, eating spaghetti for lunch. This kid loved anything with tomato sauce. While I smiled at Henry and his saucy grin, I thought about the direct message Miles just received on Instagram from Penelope. He had never told me whether to respond to those. I felt this one deserved his attention. She wondered why he wasn’t returning her calls. And she was coming to the states next month along with some of their other mates and they were hoping to come here for a few days. They all missed him terribly. Especially her.
“Mmm,” Henry shoved as many noodles as he could in his mouth. Several dropped down his bare chest. After he was done eating, I would be giving him a bath and mopping the floor. Miles’s housekeeper only came once a week, which was not near enough to keep up with the cutest tornado ever. I think that was hard for Miles. He seemed to live a very ordered, freakishly clean life.
Speaking of the clean freak, he came strolling down the stairs looking like the weight of the world had been lifted off him. I also noted how impeccably dressed he was. He worked all day from home, yet there he was, looking like a million dollars in slacks and a pressed black button-up.
“You look happy,” I commented.
He smiled at me before grimacing at the noodles on the floor and the sauce dripping on the table and in Henry’s hair.
“Don’t worry, I’ll clean him and the kitchen up.”
Miles’s brow furrowed. “I apologize. My reaction was not a judgment against you. I’m just used to . . . well . . .”
“Life how you like it,” I helped him out.
“Yes,” he conceded. “But,” he grinned between me and Henry, “there are many aspects I like about my new arrangement.”
I tucked some hair behind my ear. “Henry is adorable.”
“So is his Nanny, especially when she blushes.” He headed for the fridge.
I took a drink of my water, trying to get the blush out of my cheeks. “How’s the book coming?” I changed the subject.
He popped his head out of the fridge. “Incredible.”
“That good, huh? Does that mean I get to read part of it soon?”
“Soon, love. I promise.” He held up one of his preprepared meals. “It’s back to the grind for me.”
“Do you have couple of minutes?”
He tensed but immediately recognized his reaction and took a deep breath. “Yes,” he said, strained.
“It can wait.”
He set his food on the counter. “Please, what would you like to discuss?”
“Chloe wants to invite you to her soccer game during dinner tonight, so I wanted to give you a heads-up so that if you don’t want to or can’t make it, you can think of a good excuse so she’s not let down.”
His brows knitted together. “I would never deceive her or you.”
“I’m not saying you would,” I stammered. “It’s just she’s in a vulnerable state right now after I told her about her father.”
“I can relate to that. But please believe me, I am a lot of things, but I always tell the truth. And I would love to come.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
“Is that all?”
“One more thing. I wasn’t sure if you wanted me to monitor your direct messages on Instagram, but a Penelope Williams—”
Miles’s face flooded red.
“—would like you to contact her. She’s coming to visit.”
Miles cleared his throat and hastily picked up his food. “Thank you for letting me know.” He darted off up the stairs.
Interesting. Very interesting.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Please don’t embarrass me,” I pled with my parents as they were double-timing it toward the soccer field. I had to intercept them before they made it to Miles and Henry, who had arrived earlier with Chloe and me. Miles thought it didn’t make sense for us to take two vehicles this morning. The stares and wicked grins I had received from Emma and Sawyer and even Gwendolyn when we arrived this morning were more than obvious. I think Gwendolyn was considering husband number four or five by the way she kept ogling Miles.
With all that said, I didn’t need my parents giving him the third degree. They were intrigued that Miles and I had a close enough relationship already to where he was coming to Chloe’s game. Not only that, Mom was eager to give him her book report of Silent Stones. I so badly wanted to yank that spiral-bound report out of her hands. She must have known, as she had a killer grip on it.
Mom patted my cheek. “Honey, we would never embarrass you on purpose.”
“It’s the accidental embarrassment I’m worried about.”
Dad chuckled.
Mom waved at Emma, who was doing warmups with the girls. They would need it this morning. It was cool enough to see your breath.
“Is she feeling better?” Mom asked me.
“She seems to be this morning.”
Mom set her sights on Miles and Henry at the park near the soccer field and picked up her pace.
Miles was letting Henry run around the park, hoping to get some of his wiggles out before the game started. Even in his “trousers,” Henry looked too proper. Miles insisted that Henry needed slacks, not denim. He said Sophie would roll over in her grave if he went from breeches to denim. Henry’s short double-breasted wool coat made him look like a fifty-year-old man. But the cutest fifty-year-old.
As we approached, Henry saw us and ran to me as fast as his little legs would go. Gosh, I loved that kid. Miles followed him, looking like he was walking at a fashion show in his own wool jacket with a scarf around his neck. His dark curls rustled in the light breeze.
“Wow,” Mom commented next to me. “He’s something.”
Dad, who was still a handsome guy even though he definitely had the dad body and thinning gray hair going on, gave Mom a pointed stare.
Mom gave Dad a side hug. “Russ, we’ve been married for almost forty years, I was only making an observation.”
“I would appreciate if you only o
bserved me from now on,” Dad replied, making Mom and me laugh.
I bent down to pick up the boy who owned my heart.
“I slided and swinged,” Henry reported.
I kissed his nose, pink from the cold. “Are you ready to watch Chloe play soccer?”
“Yes!” He threw a fist up in the air. “GO CO-EE!”
Miles was upon us. He grinned at me before standing right next to me. I told him my parents were eager to meet him and to prepare himself for anything. I never knew what to expect when it came to my mom. I mean, the woman had taken the time to write what looked like at least a twenty-page book report. She seriously needed a job or some more hobbies.
The way Miles and I were facing my parents had a meet-the-boyfriend vibe going on. My first instinct was to step away from him, but I knew that would hurt his feelings, which was the last thing I wanted to do. Day after day, Miles was chipping away my defenses. This morning was the perfect example. He’d made Chloe what he called his game-day protein shake. Then, on the drive in, he went over strategy with her. He had no idea how much that meant to me, especially considering her father was in town and hadn’t bothered to try and make contact again. But I did hear from Emma that he was spotted with Kylie at a local bar in Carrington Cove. I swore, if Chloe and I ran into them together and that was his first contact with her in years, the gloves might come off. I’d done my best over the years not to bad-mouth him in front of her, but in that case, I might not be able to restrain myself. Enough ruminating over my ex, it was time to make awkward introductions.
“Mom and Dad, this is Miles Wickham. Miles these are my parents, Russ and Cindy Parker.”
“I’m Henry.” Henry didn’t want to be left out even though my parents were already well acquainted with him.
We all chuckled at Henry before Miles shook my parents’ hands. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”
Mom wasted no time and handed him her report before she looped her arm through his. “I read Silent Stones. Beautiful job, but I made some notes you may want to consider for the sequel.”
I wanted to do a face-palm. “Mom.”
“What, honey?” she asked innocently.
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