AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes, of course, you can ask me anything. I know everyone in this town and the best places to go to get any kind of deal.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, this has to do with Aiden.”
Her brow lifted. “Really? Go on.”
Did her eyes just light up with anticipation? No. No, that’s silly, Emma. Don’t even go there.
“I met Tammy for coffee this morning, and she was mentioning how Hadley didn’t have anyone to attend Muffins with Mom, or a parent more present in the classroom to help with volunteer-type things. She suggested I volunteer at the school. I’m assuming you’d join her for the muffins thing, but I wasn’t sure about volunteering.”
Her head tilted and she studied me again.
Crap. I’m stepping on her toes. Fudge!
Clearing my throat, I decided it was best to keep going. “I just wasn’t sure what level of involvement would be appropriate. Like I said, I assumed you’d go to Muffins with Mom. At least, I think it would be more appropriate ifyouwent and not her nanny. But I’m not sure how Aiden would feel about me gettinginvolved with the school as a volunteer, since he’s not used to having a nanny yet. Do you think that’s something he’d be open to? Should I speak with him about it? Or maybe I should just tell Tammy that isn’t my place. Yes, I think that’s what I’ll do,” I said, speaking way too fast.
Patty reached for my hand and squeezed it. “Emma, no matterwhatthe event might be, Hadley isn’t going to have her mother there like most of the other kids. Personally, I think the more you can ease that pain for her, the better. Speak to Aiden about it and be open with him like you were me. As for Muffins with Mom, I’ve got it on my calendar already. I’ll be there.”
I sighed in relief. “Oh, wonderful!”
“Anything else you want to ask me?”
Shaking my head, I grinned. “Not that I can think of. Enjoy your evening.”
With one more light squeeze, she dropped my hand and made her way back over to Aiden’s house. I shut the door and leaned against it, letting out a deep breath.
My mind thought back to a few minutes ago, how happy Hadley had been, and how both she and Aiden seemed excited about the pizzas. I’d wanted to stay and watch them together, but it was important for them to be alone and for me to remember my place. I was not a family member; I was the hired help.
Pushing off the door, I made my way into the kitchen and pulled out the items I needed to make a ham and cheese sandwich, along with a salad.
Tomorrow morning, I’d talk to Aiden about volunteering at the school.
Holding the sieve over the bread, I said, “Okay, Hadley, tap the sides to get the powdered sugar out.”
She did just that and giggled as the sugar fell like snow. When she told me she hadn’t had French toast since her mommy got sick, I knew we had to make some.
“What’s your secret ingredient?” Hadley asked as I poured some syrup over the French toast.
“If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a secret, would it?”
She giggled again.
Aiden had woken Hadley up this morning before he started to get ready for work. When she rushed into the kitchen, all dressed and ready to go, I couldn’t help but chuckle. The outfit she’d chosen didn’t match at all, but she was happy, so who was I to say anything about it?
“What’s going on?”
I looked up to see Aiden standing in the kitchen. He was staring at the French toast, a look of surprise on his face.
“Um, we made French toast for breakfast,” I said, a bit of uncertainty in my voice.
“Emma put a secret ingredient in it, Daddy! It’s so good!”
Aiden looked at me. “I need to speak to you in my office. Now, please.”
Instant dread filled my stomach. “Of course.” Turning to Hadley, I kept my expression easy. “I’ll be right back, Hadley.”
I followed Aiden into his office and stood in the middle of the room, turning to face him. The moment he shut the door a little hard, I held my breath. He was probably going to lecture me about giving her sugar two days in a row for breakfast. Tomorrow, I’d have to do something on the healthy side.
What heactuallysaid took me completely by surprise.
