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“That’s enough.” I remembered Brandy insinuating that the family must have money, but we didn’t. We struggled just like any other business. I was careful. I saved and invested, so I was okay. But I wouldn’t be if I kept giving it to Brandy.
Brandy’s eyes widened. “I’m just telling the truth.”
“That’s not true, and you know it. If you’re going to stay here, you need to watch your mouth.”
Brandy rolled her eyes. “Fine.”
I knew it wouldn’t be the last time she went off about Hanna. She couldn’t seem to stop herself. But I needed time to figure out what I was going to do.
My phone buzzed with a text from Knox.
Knox:
What are you going to do?
I don’t know.
Knox:
I’m here if you need me. We could evict her for you.
I’ll handle it.
I just wasn’t sure how. I’d told her she could stay, which meant living in my guest room for the foreseeable future. The only saving grace was that she usually didn’t stay long.
But where would I be with Hanna when it was over? I wanted to spend the next few days with Ember and Hanna, as a couple during the holidays. I wanted to take that carriage ride with Hanna and Ember on Christmas Eve. I wanted to wake up with Hanna in my bed and make love to her.
I wanted to sit on the couch and drink coffee while Ember ripped open the wrapping paper and squealed over her gifts. I wanted to kiss her at midnight and plan our future on New Year’s Eve.
I wasn’t sure how anything would work out now. When it was time for bed, I took Ember upstairs.
When she was tucked in, I read her the book, but she said, “Hanna reads it better.”
My heart sank. “I bet she does.”
Ember’s hand curled around my arm. “Why did she leave?”
I glanced down at my daughter. “She wanted to visit her family.”
“Aren’t we her family?”
My heart pinged at her question, my chest filling with longing. “I want us to be.”
Ember sat up. “What can we do to let her know that she’s our family now?”
My mind started moving, processing the possibilities. “I’m not sure. I’m trying to figure that out.”
“Can we write her a letter for Christmas, inviting her to be with us?” Ember asked, her excitement about her new idea growing.
“That’s not a bad idea.” I was scared to make any move. What if Hanna had had enough of my baggage? What if she was upset about the way I handled Brandy showing up? I wouldn’t blame her. I’d messed up royally. “What do you think about your mom visiting?”
Ember’s nose scrunched up. “She doesn’t feel like a mom. She doesn’t make me breakfast or bake cookies or come to school events like the other mothers.”
I sighed. “We’ve talked about her being different.”
Ember’s lips pursed. “Hanna’s here, though. She helps me get ready for school, makes me dinner, and helps me with my homework.”
“You’re right. She does all those things.”
