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Willow got her first good look at the little boy, and her heart stood still. Standing beside her, Genevieve said, “Oh my.”
Aunt Helen blew out a soft whistle. “He’s Emma without the pigtails.”
Willow swallowed hard. “And Emma looks just like her father.”
A storm of emotion swept over Willow at that point.Mom is right. Every time I look at AJ, I’ll be reminded that Andy cheated on me.
It would be so hard to ever love this poor little boy.
Shame washed through Willow. That was so wrong. Shewas a better person than that. Sins of the father should not be visited upon the child. She didn’t accept the idea of generational sin. Not in her head at least.
Apparently, her heart had some work to do.
I’m human, far from perfect. I’ll try, but…
Who knows? Maybe the fact that he looked like Emma would make AJ easier to love. Stranger things had happened.
Her mother took hold of Willow’s hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. “We’ve got this.”
Together, they walked forward to meet Andy’s youngest. Willow wished she had that flask Noah had brought, after all, because her mouth was dry as sand. Her mother called, “Hello! Welcome to Raindrop Lodge.”
The woman turned toward them with a smile tinged with relief. “Thank you. I’m Monica Brandt. This is AJ.”
Willow opened her mouth, but she couldn’t get any words past the sudden lump forming in her throat.
Genevieve continued. “I’m Genevieve Prentice. My sister, Helen, and I—” She made a half turn and gestured toward Aunt Helen. “We own Raindrop Lodge. And this—”
“I’m Willow,” she said, finally finding her voice and a smile. “Welcome.”
“I’m so glad to finally meet you,” Monica said brightly. “Maggie has spoken about you a lot.”
“I imagine she has,” Willow replied, her tone rueful.
Her mother and Aunt Helen continued to stare at the toddler. Monica smiled uneasily. Eventually, Aunt Helen said, “We’re being rude. Excuse us, Monica. It’s just that genetics are fascinating.”
“Oh.” Understanding dawned in the nanny’s expression. “Maggie has shown me photographs. AJ looks a lot like his sister.”
“Exactly like her,” Genevieve said. “I’ve always thought Emma had her mother’s nose, but now…”
Willow stiffened. “She does have my nose.”
“Hmm.”
Helen stepped forward and said, “Why don’t we sit on the back verandah at the lakeside corner? We’ll be able to keep an eye on Drew and Emma from there. I’ll order drinks and snacks for us. Milk and cookies for the child?”
Monica Brandt said, “I’m sure he’d love that. First, though, where might I find a restroom? I’m about to burst. And AJ could use a diaper change.”
Yes, the fumes wafting from Andy’s son were unmistakable. Genevieve and Helen looked at Willow, who sighed. “I’ll show you.”
Could there be a more appropriate beginning?
In the ladies’ room, while the nanny disappeared into a stall, Willow lowered the fold-away changing platform from the wall, then squatted down in front of AJ. “My name is Willow. I need to change your diaper.”
“I poop.”
“Yes, I can tell.”
The diaper bag was well organized, and Willow efficiently managed the smelly job. However, she couldn’t help but compare her diaper-change wiggle worms to this little guy, who lay mostly still and quiet while Willow worked.
