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“I’m not going to pretend to understand what you’re going through right now, but I do know that it has to be scary, having all these people know you and having no idea who they are, but I think you should give Mr. Bishop a chance.”
Looking up at her, I cock my head to the side in question. She must take my curiosity for something else because she holds her hands up, palms facing me.
“I’m sorry, I know it’s not my place, but I’ve worked for him for six years, and in that time, I’ve seen what lengths he’s gone for you. I don’t think he’s ever given up on you.”
Before I can reply to her, Chandler comes down the stairs holding a sleepy Sophia in his arms. The sight makes my heart clench as I watch him carefully make his way to the kitchen, one arm supporting her and the other resting against her back and rubbing small circles. It doesn’t even seem like he’s struggling with her weight like I do. My baby girl is getting big, and I’ve been worrying about her outgrowing being held. Her head is pressed into his neck, and her crazy curly hair is messy and all over the place from her sleep. It’s so funny to see how they look exactly the same but light and dark. Her dark brown hair is a contrast against his blonde.
What lengths has he gone for me?
I watch him with our daughter, trying to see what kind of man he is. I turn to look at Jillian and know she’s the best person to answer my questions. She’ll tell me things that Chandler won’t.
8
TANYA
I don’t get a chance to talk to Jillian any further about Chandler for the rest of the morning. I want to drill her about what kinds of things he did to find me over the years. I want to ask her if she knew why he’s held on for so long.
Why not give up? Why hold on for so long?
None of it makes any sense to me, but I know that because of my amnesia I don’t know the whole story. How can I judge him and question his motives without remembering our past?
After Sophia and Chandler came downstairs, we introduced Jillian to Sophia, and I made breakfast for everyone while Jillian and Sophia talked about dresses. Soph’s eyes lit up when she heard that she got to pick out a new dress. It was a simple, peaceful moment in the middle of the craziest time of my life: the smell of bacon and waffles filling up the kitchen, the sound of Sophia and Jillian talking excitedly about the dresses, Sophia bouncing in her seat as she looked at all the pretty dresses.
We are now on our way to pick up the dresses and then are heading to the small airport where Chandler’s helicopter awaits us. I have to admit that the thought of being on one is making me nervous, and I don’t know which would be the lesser evil, the helicopter or the car. As we walk into town, Chandler and Sophia are walking ahead of Jillian; the sight of them walking hand in hand does something to me, and I don’t know if I like it or not, but I’m too nervous about everything else to come to focus on it.
“You know, when he came home last weekend after finding you, it was the first time I have ever seen him so frantic. Since I’ve been working for him, he’s always been the cool and collected businessman. That day, though, he was almost unhinged. I don’t think he knew what to do. I do know that he didn’t want to be in the city without you two.”
I realize now might be the only time I have to grill Jillian without Chandler overhearing us. He’s too occupied with Sophia to listen to our conversation.
“What did you mean this morning when you said you’ve seen the lengths he’s gone for us?”
She looks almost guilty at my question.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything; I know it’s not my place, but I know he won’t say anything.”
“Will you tell me more, though? I would really like to know more about him and maybe knowing what he did will help.”
I can tell she’s torn about what to do, but I need to know something about him. I need to know if I’m doing the right thing, especially for Sophia.
“Please? If you know he’s not going to say anything, I need someone to tell me. He’s acting like if he just does what he did before, then I’ll magically remember, but it doesn’t work that way. I need to know who he is without my memories.”
She lets out a sigh, and I know I’ve convinced her. I can feel my body tense in preparation for what she’s going to tell me.
“Has he told you anything about your past?”
I think over the few conversations I’ve had with Chandler.
“Not much.”
Jillian rolls her eyes and doesn’t seem surprised.
“I don’t know the extent of everything he’s done, especially before I started working for him, but I’ve handled things for him, and I’ve heard about how he was before.”
I keep my eyes on Chandler’s back as we walk behind him and Soph. We’ve made it into town and now just have to go to the other side to the dress store.
“When I first started at Bishop Enterprises, he was this quiet, moody man; honestly, I was intimidated by him.”
I can’t picture the man walking hand in hand with my daughter being intimidating to anyone.
