That was just the kind of family outing she would love.
And the kind she must avoid. The last thing Mr. Aylett needed was to be seen eating with his nanny.
And there was the stalker to worry about now too.
“I’d love that, Charlotte, but sadly, I need to run to the store.” She looked at Mr. Aylett. “Anything I can get for you while I’m there?”
“No, but…” His brow furrowed. “You need to eat.”
“I’ll grab something while I’m out.” Delaney smiled at Charlotte, whose face had fallen. “You have fun with your uncle and Shanyn. Tell me all about it later, okay?”
Charlotte gripped her hand, tears hovering in her eyes.
Oh, dear.
Delaney crouched in front of her, ignoring the others. “I’m going to go to the store, and then I’ll be home.”
Her little lip trembled. She leaned in and whispered, “You promise?”
Delaney backed up and took Charlotte’s little face in her hands. “Beautiful girl, I promise I will come back tonight. And I’ll bring you some of those yummy peanut butter bars you like.”
The child studied her as if looking for lies. After a moment, she said, “Okay.”
“Love you, sweet girl.” She kissed her on the forehead, then stood and addressed Lisa. “It was nice to meet you.” To Mr. Aylett, she said, “Text if you think of anything you want me to get while I’m out.”
“See you at the house.”
The late afternoon air had cooled considerably, and Delaney zipped her jacket as she walked to her car. She’d meant what she said about needing to go to the store. Her toothpaste tube had been rolled within an inch of its life, and she was almost out of shampoo. Now that she had a few weeks’ pay in her checking account, she felt confident stocking up on personal products she hadn’t wanted to add to Mr. Aylett’s grocery bill.
She pulled out of the parking lot, checking her mirrors more carefully than usual. The man had a stalker. So strange.
Fortunately, no one followed her as she drove the few miles to the superstore on the outskirts of town.
Her list wasn’t long. She’d made a mental note to pick up a few things they were running low on—bread, eggs, and fresh fruit. She’d add those peanut butter bars to the list. Anything to see that sweet smile when she returned home.
Home. The word rooted in her heart. When had the Aylett house begun to feel that way? It wasn’t hers, but for now, it was the only home she had.
Delaney took her time in the personal care section, scanning the shelves for her favorite shampoo. Now that she had a steady income, she could finally replace the travel-sized bottles she’d been rationing.
In the clothing section, she shopped for sweaters and a jacket. She’d left home in the middle of summer, and though it wouldn’t get nearly as cold here as it would in Maine, she’d still need a few things to get her through the winter months. She took her time picking out items, not eager to go home to an empty house.
Her phone vibrated, a text from Mr. Aylett.
Charlotte wanted me to make sure you’re really coming back.
Delaney’s heart squeezed. After everything the little girl had been through, of course she worried about abandonment. Delaney dug through her cart, found the peanut butter bars, and took a selfie with them. She tapped a reply.
Tell her I promise.
She sent the photo and the note.
Three dots appeared, disappeared, then reappeared before his reply came through:
Thank you. Drive safely.
Strange how those four words warmed Delaney’s insides.
The total at checkout made her wince. Her bank account wasn’t flush, but she wasn’t destitute either. She was surviving.
