Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
We made our way back to the circle. The women were all talking about everything from feeling excited about the fall fair to volunteering for the children’s Christmas drive. I tried to stay focused, but my mind was everywhere. Bill had been here. Lee had died. Ben’s family knew he was abusive, just like my mother had.
The worst of it all, though, was Aiden not seeing me as anything but hired help. That hurt me the most, and I felt so foolish for that. I’d come to this particular town to start over. I wasn’t even looking for a relationship, and the first guy I meet, I catch feelings for. What was wrong with me?
“Emma?” I jumped when Rose touched my shoulder. “We’re done.”
With a grin, I stood. “Sorry, I was lost in thought.”
She nodded. “Would you like to go grab some coffee?”
“Oh, thank you, but no. I’ve made plans for the rest of the day.”
“Plans?” she asked, smiling. “With Aiden and Hadley?”
“No, I don’t work until tomorrow.”
My comment clearly threw Rose, and she tilted her head and gave me an inquisitive look. Before she could ask any questions, I started for the door.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, ladies,” I called out.
I left without giving anyone the chance to respond.
I was curled up on the sofa in my apartment as I sipped hot cinnamon tea. The last few weeks had been very different from those when I’d first started working for Aiden. I’d been keeping my distance from him, and he was doing the same. We were friendly toward each other, but a line had been drawn. I still had feelings for him, and some days it was a struggle just to look at him, but I’d learned to push the ache aside. I was here to do a job, and that was what I intended to do.
Hadley was a different situation. I was so head over heels in love with that little girl, it was beginning to scare me. She’d asked me to go trick-or-treating with her and Aiden tonight, and I’d politely declined. She was unhappy at first, but I was able to smooth it over by telling her how much fun she and her daddy would have.
The hard knock on my apartment door caused me to jerk in surprise. I quickly got up, hoping Hadley wasn’t having any problems with her costume.
When I opened the door, it was Patty standing there. I could tell instantly that she was upset. “Hey, is everything okay?”
She sighed. “No, it’s not okay. Aiden’s been called out on a search and rescue and Hadley’s pretty upset he won’t be able to go trick-or-treating with her.”
“Oh, are you not able to take her?”
Patty shook her head. “I can’t! I’m volunteering at the church for the Halloween party they put on for the little ones. Lance is already there, helping to set up things.”
“I can take her. I’ll call Tammy and maybe we can go with them. I’m not familiar with the best neighborhoods for trick-or-treating.”
A wide smile grew on Patty’s face. “Perfect! That might lessen the blow some for Hadley if she knows you’ll be going with her. She was so upset.”
“Let me grab my phone and a coat.”
After getting my things, I followed Patty across the upper deck and into Aiden’s house. I made my way to Hadley’s room and smiled when I saw her in her princess costume.
“Look at you, Princess Hadley!”
She spun around and smiled. “Emma! I’m a princess!”
“I know,” I exclaimed as I walked over and dropped down to her level. “Are you ready to go trick-or-treating?”
Her lower lip quivered.
“I was thinking we could join Tammy and Jennifer.”
“You’re going with me?” she asked, jumping around and clapping her hands.
“Of course! Your daddy is really sorry he’s going to be late.”
Hadley pouted and dropped her head, looking at the floor. “He promised.”
Placing my finger under her chin, I lifted her eyes to meet mine. “I know he did, and he never ever wants to break a promise to you. But we’ve talked about your daddy’s job, remember? How important it is and how if someone gets lost, it’s your daddy’s job to find them? Just think if I’d gotten lost.”
Her eyes widened in fear at the idea.
“I’d want someone like your daddy to come find me.”
“And he would! He’d find you!”
I laughed. “I know he would, because he’s good at his job.”
Hadley nodded. “And he likes you.”
My smile faltered some. “Well, he likes that I do a good job taking care of you.”
She shook her head and leaned over to whisper in only the way that a five-year-old can whisper, “No, I heard Daddy telling Uncle Dalton he likes you more than he should, and something about his insides feeling all funny.”
I glanced at Patty. With pleading eyes, I tried to get her to change the subject.