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“Not true!” I huff. “Charlie, Sam’s being mean.” My sister-in-law gives me an indulgent smile while herhusband sucks at her neck. “Give me another niece so we can both hold one,” I demand. I take Belle back, holding her close. It’s amazing how healing she’s been for my brother and me.
“I’m working on it,” Daniel tells me with a glare, his hands dropping to his wife’s ass.
Get a room.
A second later, they do just that. Daniel eagerly pulls his wife from the room, heading for the stairs.
“Belle,” Charlie protests.
“I got her,” I call out.
“Where are they going?” Dad asks, entering just as the couple sneaks out.
“Bed. They’re pretty tired. Charlie was practically falling asleep on her feet,” I lie.
Mom tuts, joining us again. “We should help more. They’re overwhelmed.”
I try not to smile. The opposite is true.
“We’ll take her all night. I miss having a baby wake me at two a.m.,” she jokes. “You kids go play somewhere and stop hogging my grandbaby.”
Play?The woman forgets how old we are.
“Movie?” Kaleb asks.
“Not scary!” Sam insists.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Lara
Tonight was fun. I never expected to love his family, let alone this much, this fast.
I really did miss out as a child.
The resentment I’ve always felt toward my parents grows as we step onto the top floor. It didn’t have to be this way; I didn’t have to be this way.
No one is perfect, but my parents hadn’t been ready for a child, and neither am I, which is why I made my appointment for tomorrow. Luckily, I’d had loose change in my bag for the pay phone at the school earlier. Now, I just need enough time to sneak away to attend it.
Michael leaves me at the door of his bedroom. Patiently, I wait as he hurries next door, carrying atray full of food and refreshments to the room farther down.
He doesn’t turn on the light. Instead, he slips inside the dark room with only the light from the hall to guide him.
Helen creeps up the stairs behind me.
“Hi,” I whisper, turning around.
“Everything okay?” she asks.
I shrug, unsure. When large hands settle on my waist just under my breasts, I realize she wasn’t asking me.
“They’re fast asleep,” Michael replies, keeping his voice low.
Helen worries her lip.
“Mom, they’re okay. Just tired.”
Helen nods. “I’ll offer to take Belle next weekend. Give them some time to relax.”
