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Chapter 1
“Mom, we’re doing great here, and no, I’m not planning on coming back to Florida. I have a good job, a group of amazing friends who love us, I’m involved in church, and Dad and Diane have been so welcoming and helpful. I love it here.”
“Honey.” Leila could hear the frustration in her mother’s voice through the phone speaker.
She squeezed her lids tight and concentrated on the quiet murmurs and breathing of Skylar as she nursed.This is why you left Florida. She never listens to what might be best for you.Leila brushed Skylar’s soft hair and whispered under her breath, “I promise to be a better, more loving mother, Sky.” Her pulse slowed as she concentrated on Skylar in her arms.
“Leila? Are you still listening to me? Did you say something?” Her mom’s voice cut through her moment of relaxation.
“Yeah, Mom. I am, and I was just talking to Skylar.” Breathe in and out. Relax.
“Good. Florida is just such a better choice than Tennessee. Better weather, better atmosphere, and not to mention the place Skylar’s father is. A girl needs her father.”
She didn’t just say that!Leila chuckled a little as a ball of fire grew in her gut. Was her mother serious? Really? Heck, before the ink on their divorce papers had dried, her mother ran off with Leila to Florida. She was ten at the time and hardly saw her father after that. She’d spent years trying to make up for her daddy issues by dating anyone who gave her the time of day, and if her mother didn’t approve, well that made it even better.
To top it all off, Leila’s mom had kicked her out as soon as she found out she was pregnant by that “useless thing” Leila called a boyfriend. This was not a discussion she wanted to have, especially not with her mother.
Talking with her mom never led to anything positive, so why did she insist on calling her and informing her about Skylar’s latest milestones? Things between them were never going to change, and Mom didn’t care about Skylar.
Leila closed her eyes and breathed, calming her heart rate which had begun to race. “Whatever, Mom. Ben had a chance to get to know Skylar. He gave me money to ‘deal with the problem’—his words. You asked me not to come home if I wouldn’t deal with the issue. Dad and Diane took me in with open arms and have been supporting us for the past six months, and they’ve been amazing. I’m done discussing this with you. If you want to meet your granddaughter, hop on a plane and come visit us. I gotta go. A friend’s getting married today, and I’m meeting the girls for breakfast.”
A burden was lifted from Leila’s shoulders as soon as she pushed the button and disconnected the call. The stress her mother caused her was overwhelming. She needed to stop calling her and expecting a different result. Wasn’t that thedefinition of insanity? Her mom made her feel like she was going to go insane.
Skylar stopped eating and gazed at her, grinned, and went right back to her breakfast. Leila let out a heavy sigh and brushed her hand over Skylar’s soft, dark brown hair, which was just like her father’s. Why couldn’t it be a lighter brown like Leila’s?Hopefully, her eyes will stay a light hazel green like mine.“Sky, I promise to always love you and never make you feel insecure. I’m sorry your dad’s a loser, but you were always wanted. I promise you that.” Leila placed Skylar over her shoulder and patted her on the back as she walked into the kitchen.
“Good morning, girls.” Diane greeted them as she fixed a cup of coffee.
“Good morning.” Leila sighed, then laughed as Skylar let out a loud belch.
“Well, it sounds like someone had a good breakfast.” Diane’s face lit up, and she placed a soft kiss on Skylar’s head.
Leila cradled Skylar in her arms and expertly poured herself a cup of coffee with her free hand, fixed it with extra cream, and sat down next to Diane. Leila sipped her coffee and watched her daughter. The conversation she’d had with her mom was just not going away. How could she expect them to leave here and go back where they weren’t wanted? And how could she be so concerned about a girl needing her dad? She sure hadn’t thought that mattered when Leila was growing up.
“Hey, is everything okay?” Diane asked.
Leila shook her head and let out a heavy sigh. “It’s my mother. I just got off the phone with her. She thinks I should go back to Florida because Sky needs her father.” She lifted her eyes to Diane. “Her words, not mine.”
Diane let out a hearty laugh. “This from the woman who ran away with you and kept you from getting to know your father and made his life hell.”
“Right!” Leila lifted her hand in agreement. “That’s exactly what I thought. Anyway, that’s not going to happen. I told her I was happy here, and as far as I’m concerned, Ben had his chance. He chose to not care at all about his daughter.” A hard lump formed in her chest, and her eyes started to water. She stared at the ceiling, willing tears not to fall. He was not worth it.Don’t cry any more tears over him. You and Skylar deserve better than that egotistical ass.
Diane grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze.
A smile crept across Leila’s face, and she breathed deep.
“Hey, what’s the serious vibe I’m getting here? It’s too early for a deep conversation.” Tom, Leila’s dad, entered the kitchen and settled down at the table with a cereal bowl, Frosted Flakes, and milk. “I’m guessing someone’s mother's the reason, and not Sky’s.”
Leila’s brows jutted up, and she pulled gently away from Diane’s grasp and took a sip of her coffee. “Good guess. Sometimes you impress me. Breakfast of champions, Dad?”
“Look, I eat healthy and exercise. I have this one indulgence. Give a guy a break.” He glanced between them as he took an extra-large bite of cereal. “So, what did she want?”
“For me to go back to Florida with Sky. It appears Mom suddenly thinks it’s very important for a girl to be raised near her father.”
“Interesting.” He took another bite of cereal. “What do you think?”
“I think Mom’s losing her mind. I love it here, and it’s going to be a great place for Sky to grow up. Also, Ben had his chance. He’s not even on the birth certificate. Case closed.”
Tom's face lit up, and he wrapped Leila in a hug. “I’m so glad to hear you say that.” His hug became python-like. “Having you and Skylar has filled this house with life.” He released her. “We’re so happy you’re here.”
