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Since I needed work clothes, I didn’t argue.
I now have a plethora of black and white pants and shirts I can mix and match for work. Even though my husband is apparently the silent owner, I’ll still happily follow the dress code.
He did get me a pretty great schedule, though. I’ll work only three days a week, leaving me plenty of time to spend with him and Nella.
I glance in the mirror checking my outfit one last time. A white bodysuit tucked into black pleated trousers with black wedge boots. My hair is down and curled in loose waves, and my makeup is simple—a little concealer under my eyes, and winged eyeliner.
Ford likes my freckles, so I didn’t want to cover them up with foundation. Plus, I like my freckles too, and I want to show Nella it’s okay to embrace them.
I’m about to head downstairs when my phone vibrates from my trouser pocket. I take it out, shocked to see an incoming call from the last person I expect.
My mother.
“Hello? Mom?” I answer, feeling unsure since she hasn’t spoken to me in a year.
“Amber!” Mom says. “I saw the good news!”
My eyebrows draw together, unsure what she’s talking about. She didn’t consider my pregnancy good news, so what would she consider good news?
“You did it. I’m so proud. You married a rich man, just like I always taught you. Now we can live the life we deserve.”
I scoff. “We?”
“I know you’ll take care of your own mother.” She laughs, and it grates on my nerves. Her laugh has the opposite effect of Ford’s joyfully warm chuckle.
“Goodbye, Mom,” I tell her, hanging up the phone and setting her on “Do Not Disturb.” She doesn’t want me and Nella—she wants money. And I won’t have her bringing us down.
Sliding my phone back into my pocket, I silence all thoughts of her. I won’t let her bring me down. Not anymore.
Grabbing a lint roller, I carefully head downstairs, not knowing exactly what I’ll find. When I’m at the bottom of the steps, to my surprise, and delight, Nella is in her bouncy chair and Rose—the rescue puppy Ford was photographed with during the Eagles’ calendar shoot—is licking her face.
Farrah gasps and rushes over, gently scolding the adorable puppy. “No, no, Rose! We do not lick the baby.” She arrived two nights ago, ready for her new role as part time nanny.
“Good luck with that.” I laugh, and she turns to glare at me.
Nella is grinning at the puppy and making grabby hands.
Farrah blows out a breath, causing her long dark hair to fly around her face. “I think the puppy is going to be more difficult than the baby.”
I grimace. “Probably. Sorry about that.”
I ducked out first thing this morning to finish up paperwork on Rose’s adoption, right after Ford left for an early morning practice. He’ll be back any minute, and I cannot wait to surprise him, for once.
Did I use the last measly bit of my savings to purchase the fluffy little dog? Yes. But thankfully, I’m married to a professional hockey player, and I don’t really need that savings account anymore.
And it’ll be worth it to see the look on Ford’s face.
The rumble of the garage door makes Farrah and I jump. “He’s here!” I half whisper, half yell.
She widens her eyes. “What should we do?”
“I don’t know!” I shake my hands around. “Act natural.”
Farrah scurries to the kitchen, grabbing the bag of flour and acting like she’s about to start a fresh batch of bread.
I nod approvingly.
The door of the mudroom opens, and my husband walks inside. He sees me decked out for my first day on the job and whistles. “Wow, Ambs. You look beautiful.”
