“The best.” She affectionately ruffled his shaggy brown hair, ignoring the sharp pang of longing that afflicted her heart whenever Max said her name. It was too soon for him to call her Mom. She knew that. It could take years for Max to reach that comfort level.Ifhe ever did. She knew these things took time. It was normal. Healthy, even. A truth her brain readily accepted, but her heart couldn’t seem to grasp.
Piper shot a quick, curious glance across the table, and Abby realized the woman probably knew as little about her personal life as she knew about hers.
To an outsider, she, Logan, and Max looked like the perfect, uncomplicated family. Logan, the doting husband. Max, the adorable son. Abby, the happy homemaker. They ran a successful business, had a beautiful home, and were surrounded by supportive friends. On the outside, they had it all.
No one knew Abby lay awake most nights, wondering if the boy she’d come to love like a son would one day be ripped from her arms. Or if she had a future with the man who’d stolen her heart while he’d gently mended the broken pieces.
She’d thought maybe Logan had been about to propose yesterday. He’d been so keen for her to open the sugar bowl. And if nervous energy could create electricity, he could’ve powered all of Blessings Bay. In that moment, the joy of anticipation had washed over her, bathing her in pure, unbridled bliss.
Then Piper arrived, blowing up her pastandher present.
Instead of celebrating an engagement, she’d spent the morning making phone calls to DNA laboratories and military medical offices, fighting tears as she explained the need for a paternity test. Mortification, grief, and uncertainty had become her constant companions, taking turns as the predominant emotion. She’d barely slept or eaten, concentrating solely on making it through this nightmare, back to the way things used to be before Piper ruined everything.
If Loganhadbeen about to propose, he would try again, wouldn’t he?
She pulled a dishrag from the front pocket of her apron and wiped the dribble of syrup oozing down the crystal dispenser. Would she even want Logan to propose right now, in the midst of this mess?
She cast a sideways glance at Piper, bent over theBlessings Bay Gazette, sipping coffee in between nibbles of buttered toast. A tight coil of resentment wound around Abby’s heart. Did Piper have any idea what she’d done? How many lives she’d impacted? Did she even care?
Piper’s phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen, and her face immediately paled. “I’ll be right back.” She snatched her cell and abandoned her breakfast, rushing from the room with unsettling swiftness.
Abby’s mind raced with possibilities. Could someone close to Piper be in the hospital and the doctor called with an update? Or maybe Piper herself was unwell and waiting on test results? At the thought, unwanted compassion overshadowed her resentment.
Abby pushed all sympathy-inducing hypothetical scenarios out of her mind. She didnotwant to feel sorry for this woman.
She sat with the boys while they finished breakfast, waiting for Piper to return. What was taking her so long?
“Can I go to school with Max today?” Tyler asked.
“I don’t think so, sweetheart,” Abby said, her gaze still glued on the door. “You’re not enrolled. And you’re in different grades, so you wouldn’t be in the same class, anyway.”
“I’m in kindergarten. But Mom says I get to have summer break early. She says we’re going on an ad-ven-ture.” He puffed up his chest, proud of himself for enunciating such a big word.
“How fun. And what do you think of your adventure so far?”
“It’s okay.” Tyler shrugged, then grinned at Max. “I like this part the best.”
Abby smiled for Tyler’s benefit, not wanting him to feel unwelcome, despite the pain their presence had caused.
She glanced at the clock. Max would need to leave for school soon. Where was Piper? Abby stood and strode toward the door. Cracking it open, she poked her head into the hallway.
Piper hovered against the wall, hunched over her phone. “I need more time.” Her hushed tone made Abby’s pulse spike. What was she talking about?
“Give me a few more days. Please.” Piper’s plea cracked with desperation, and an icy chill slipped down Abby’s spine. Why did she need more time? What was going on?
Max’s and Tyler’s gleeful chatter carried through the open door, and Piper turned, eyes wide.
Abby whipped backward and yanked the handle.
The door swung shut.
Had Piper seen her?
Her heart raced.
She hadn’t intended to eavesdrop. But from Piper’s panicked expression, she’d overheard something she shouldn’t have.
Only, she had no idea what the cryptic conversation meant.
