Randy snort laughed. “I’d need a helluva lot more than two hundred and fifty bucks if I want to live inthisarea.” He waved the check at her. “Take it.”
She collected the checks and slid them into her bag. “Thank you. I’ll pay you both back. I’m going to check on Mom.”
“You shouldn’t,” Randy objected. “She’s resting.”
Ignoring her brother, she went upstairs and peeked in the bedroom. Her mom was out cold. Fear sent a shiver skirting through her. Her skin was so pale that Providence watched her, just to make sure she was breathing. When her mom didn’t wake, Providence found her dad back on the porch.
“Did Mom’s blood tests come back?”
“Not yet. The doctor thinks she might be anemic, so he’s starting her on a low dose of iron.”
Providence borrowed her dad’s laptop and Googled anemia symptoms. “I guess she could be anemic. What do you think?”
“I don’t know what to think anymore.”
She glanced around. “Where’s Randy?” she whispered.
He shrugged. “He’s here all the time,” her dad whispered. “He’s not hustling, that’s for sure. I have no idea how he’s going to sell a home if he has no clients. I’ve been thinking it might be time to ask them to move out.”
No clients? He told me he had too many.
“Good idea. If you want Megan and me—and Stryker, too—to be here for support, just say the word.”
“Thanks, dear. Mom has been fighting me on this because they have no money and won’t have anywhere to live.”
“They’ve been livingsomewhereall these years.”
“But, we’re getting a little break. Randy and Lizzie are taking off for a few days after she gets home from work today.”
“Where are they going?”
“To spend a long weekend on the water.”
“Good. You two need a break.” She rose. “Thank you for the loan.”
Once back at Dakota’s, she didn’t see Sammy or Miranda as she made her way upstairs. She mobile deposited her dad’s check into her new account, but she didn’t deposit Randy’s. The guy sounded as hard up for cash as she was. Needing a moment to unwind before she made dinner, she went into her bedroom, shed her clothes, and jumped in the shower.
As the hot, streaming water pounded her back, her thoughts drifted to Dakota. What would if feel like to completely surrender to him?Could I give myself permission to feel that good, without the guilt or sorrow?
As she rinsed the suds from her hair, she imagined his hands on her. Those large, strong, sexy hands sliding over every inch of her. Claiming her and loving her.
And then, the image of Annabel popped into her mind. The one that sent her spiraling into the depths of sadness. She had thought her daughter was sleeping, but on closer examination, she hadn’t been. Her small body had lain still. Even now, pain slashed through her heart. She adored her baby and she loved being a mom. She’d loved the middle-of-the-night feedings where she could stare into her baby girl’s eyes and sing her a lullaby. She loved making her smile and watching her sleep. Except for that one time…
Providence turned off the water, dried off, and dressed in yoga pants and an oversized shirt. Then, she padded downstairs to make dinner. As the water heated for pasta, she made seasoned meatballs and slid them into the oven. Once the water boiled, she added the box of pasta Miranda had left on the counter.
As she emerged from the pantry with a jar of sauce, the front door opened.
“Mmm, something smells good,” Miranda said as she and Sammy entered the kitchen.
“Are you cooking ‘scetti?” Sammy asked.
Providence held up the empty box of pasta. “All the ‘scettis are cooking.”
“Mrs. Morris said it would be fun to have a girl party, so we made brownies in the before.”
“Before we went to the playground,” Miranda translated.
Providence’s spirits were bolstered when she saw the smiles on their faces. Losing her life’s savings had gutted her, but she wouldn’t let that ruintheirevening.
