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Why can’t I just grow up and get over him?
But Nell’s still pouting, waiting for an answer.
“Jeez! I don’t get why it’s such a big bad secret. And I don’t think it’s very nice of you, Uncle Grant,” she says. “I thought you were gonna find the lady and marry her. You said I’d get to meet her. She’s gonna be so sad if she finds out you—”
“Nell.” Grant claps one large hand gently over her mouth and holds his mouth to her ear. “Stop it. You’ve met the damn lady.Miss Ophelia is the lady. Now quit embarrassing me. Stop looking at me like you’re disappointed. It’s not what you think.”
...what.
My ears are melting off.
I actuallyamthe lady?
Holy hell, I never liked roller coasters.
Every time at an amusement park, I always sat out the rides that flung you up high and dropped you down again like you were addicted to almost dying. It’s just not my thing.
So, I’m really not enjoying the emotional rocket ride the last few days—or the last few seconds, really—have tossed me through.
I’m left frozen and numb as Grant gives me an almost apologetic look before turning. He keeps a wary eye on Nell as he slowly pulls his hand away from her mouth.
Nell blinks nonchalantly like a kitten waking up. Almost like she’s used to this routine. Then she turns her brilliant little chipmunk smile on me.
“Wowee—the lady! Why didn’t you tell me you were the lady Uncle Grant’s obsessed with?” She breaks away from Grant, squirming free even as he tries to catch her again with a desperate sound.
Too late.
She’s barreling right at me and I’m too stunned to think about moving.
The lady Uncle Grant’s obsessed with.
No freaking way.
Nell’s just confused... right?
She’s only nine.
Actually,I’mconfused, and blushing so hard I’m woozy.
It only gets worse as Nell throws herself against me, buries her face in my stomach, and wraps her little arms around me in a surprisingly tight, clingy hug.
“Are you gonna be my new mommy?” Her words are muffled against my shirt. “I miss having a mommy.”
Ouch.
That roller coaster just had to take one more good, hard turn and chuck me to the moon and back, I suppose.
I work my mouth for a helpless moment, blanking for words that won’t come before I rest a hand on top of her head. It’s easier to focus on her right now because I think if I look at Grant, I might dissolve into a sticky puddle.
Time to deflect.
“I think I should help you check your homework. Come tell me aboutThe Velveteen Rabbitand ethics while we let Uncle Grant finish making dinner, hmm? How’s that sound?”
Nell looks up at me, cocking her head, considering it.
Her face slowly lights up in a smile.
“Well... okay!” she says, just like that.
