Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I knew it.
I knew vile people like Aisla Rankin would spread the rumor that I’d deliberately gotten pregnant to trap Lewis. I’d never considered they’d question whether he was the father!
“How dare you, you vicious hag.” Mum’s voice rose to meet Mrs. Rankin’s. “You tried to pull this crap when I first opened my bakery, your daughter tries to pull this crap on anyone she takes a dislike to, and now you’re both trying to do it to my daughter. Well, not this time! Not with my kid.”
“Well, it is clear where she’s learned her sins from!”
“Don’t you dare!” I yelled. She could talk shit about me all she wanted, but she would not say a word against my mother.
My mum pressed a soothing hand to my arm before rounding the counter to face Mrs. Rankin. “I know you like to think that you have some authority in this village, but the truth is, everyone thinks you’re a bitter woman with nothing better to do than sit on your sanctimonious throne of thorns, judging everybody else. So you can spread your little rumors all you want, Mrs. Rankin, because the people in this village who know better, know I have one of the best kids in the world and she’s going to make a great mom … and they also know that Lewis Adair has loved my daughter since he was a kid, and he’d be the first one to boot you out on your ass for talking to her like that. Since he’s not here, that’s gonna be my job.” She leaned into Mrs. Rankin, who gaped comically. “That’s your cue to get the hell out of my bakery and keep my daughter’s name out of your mouth!”
And proving that bullies are just cowards, Mrs. Rankin bolted from the bakery as if the hounds of hell were nipping at her heels.
I gawked at my mum in utter hero worship until clapping broke through my stupor, and I glanced over to find Flora from the café clapping like she’d watched the best show ever. The rest of our customers burst into applause too, some whistling, others laughing, and Mum’s cheeks bloomed a rosy-red as she groaned abashedly.
Chuckling, I rounded the counter and threw my arms around my mum. “You are my hero.”
“No one talks to my kid like that.”
When we pulled apart, it was to find Flora at our side. She beamed in delight. “Let me be the first to say congratulations.”
Now I was blushing. “Thanks.”
“You and Lewis have always made a beautiful couple. I’m very happy for you.”
The cat was well and truly out of the bag.
For the rest of the morning, I was congratulated by villagers who stopped by, and I knew that outside our door the whole place must be buzzing, not only about my pregnancy, but about Mum booting Aisla Rankin from the premises in spectacular fashion.
Sure enough, at noon, as we were nearing the end of today’s inventory, Dad strode in with my little brother. The estate was super flexible with his schedule and allowed him to take the mornings Mum and I were working off so he could be at home for Harry during the summer holidays. He usually dropped Harry off at a friend’s house in the afternoons or here at the bakery.
Dad strode through the store, filling up the space with his large presence as he always did. He rounded the counter, Harry trailing at his back. He cupped my nape and bent his head to search my face. “You okay?” and I knew by his concern that he’d heard.
I nodded in reassurance.
Dad gave my nape a squeeze and released me. I watched him as he strode past me to where Mum stood.
“Hullo, what are—” Her words were cut off as Dad swept an arm around her waist and pulled her up onto her toes into a passionate kiss.
Grinning, I looked away as Mum wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
I could tell by the disgusted look on Harry’s face the kiss lasted a while.
Then I heard Mum ask breathlessly, “What was that for?”
“Mamma bear” was Dad’s succinct reply.
The news that Dad found Mum’s fighting spirit hot disturbed Harry. He grimaced at me. “Gross.”
“How do you think you’re here?” I teased. “Some girl was bullying me at school, Mum got in her mum’s face, Dad witnessed it, and bam, suddenly, she’s pregnant with you.”
Harry looked sick. “That’s not true, is it?”
I laughed. It wasn’t, but I was taking too much pleasure in his disgust.
My wee brother rolled his eyes. Then he considered me. “You okay? Obviously, we heard. Mrs. Rankin is an auld witch.”
“You missed Mum verbally drop-kicking her, though. It was worth it for that.”
We shared a grin, and I wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Want a yumnut?”