“He’s not.” My heart is pounding so hard I’m surprised she can’t hear it. “He’ll be back soon.”
Nancy nods, and there’s a hope mixed with nervousness in her expression that makes me instantly trust her. “I know showing upunannounced is unusual. But my sister and I were estranged for years, and I hadn’t seen Julie since she was about Ellie’s age.” Her voice cracks. “I didn’t even know she’d passed until Felix’s attorney contacted me.”
Blood rushes to my head like a freight train. “Can you just—” I step back from the door, arms tightening around Ellie. “Can you wait here for a minute?”
She inclines her head. “Of course.”
I close the door too quickly to be polite and carry Ellie into the kitchen. My hands are shaking as I grab my phone from the counter.
“Pi, ’k?” Ellie pats my cheek, and I realize I’m scaring her.
“I’m okay, sweetie.” I force a smile. “Everything’s okay.”
What a damn lie. Things are very much not okay.
I dial Felix’s number, and he picks up on the first ring.
“Hey, Pip. What do you need?” His voice is breathless, like he’s mid-set.
“I need you to explain why you didn’t mention Nancy Harmon to me.”
Complete silence on the other end of the line.
My voice shakes when I continue. “Because she’s standing on my porch wanting to visit her great-niece.”
“Fudge.” The word is G-rated but still comes out like an expletive.
“No.” My laugh is sharp. “Fudge you, Felix. You better get back—” I almost say home, but the word sticks in my throat. This is my home, not his. “Get back here right now.”
I end the call before he can respond and hold onto Ellie, trying to breathe through the panic rising in my chest.
The attorney tracked down Ellie’s great-aunt, and Felix didn’t tell me.
What else hasn’t he told me? Well, that he loved me. And now I know why. Because he’s not planning to stay. Why would he be willing to let Ellie go if he was?
I can’t fall apart right now.
I carry Ellie back to the door and open it. Nancy’s still there, like she’s willing to wait all day.
“I’m sorry,” I say, although I’m not sure what I’m apologizing for. “Please come in.”
Nancy steps inside, and I close the door behind her. She looks around the space at the scattered toys, the coffee table covered in board books, the corner of Ellie’s play kitchen just visible in my kitchen.
“You have a lovely home,” she says.
“Thank you. It was my mother’s.” The words come out automatically. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Water would be wonderful.”
Nancy follows as I move into the kitchen, and Ellie watches her with wide eyes, a thumb creeping toward her mouth.
“I see so much of her mother in her,” Nancy says softly. “The shape of her eyes and the little cleft in her chin.” She breaks off. “I’m sorry. This must be so strange for you.”
“For both of us.” I pass her a glass of water with a hand that’s steadier than I feel. “Felix should be here soon.”
“I really didn’t mean to ambush anyone.” Nancy takes a sip. “I know I should have waited for the attorney to set up a proper meeting. But I’ve been thinking about Ellie ever since I got the call. I had to meet her. My sister and I hadn’t spoken in over twenty years when she passed. I missed everything.”
“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say. This woman has every right to want to know her great-niece. But Felix should have told me. And given that he didn’t, I can’t help but assume the worst about his intentions.
