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I lowered my hand and cleared my throat. “Thank you. I’m sorry about this.”
Before he could respond, I spun on my heels and hurried away, my breathing loud in my ears. A few steps away, I cast a look over my shoulders, and my stomach twisted at the crestfallen expression on Bernard’s face.
Like he’d been kicked in the stomach.
But until I knew for sure that he was going to be a good father, it was my job to protect Ron.
I was, after all, the only family he knew.
Chapter 11: Confessions
Rachel
“I’m home,” Taylor called out before the door clicked shut behind her. “Where is everyone?”
I twisted to the side and waved at her from my spot on the carpeted living room floor. Ron sat opposite me, a furrow between his brows and a look of fierce concentration on his face. His fingers moved steadily over the sheets of paper and crayons lined up neatly in front of him.
Taylor set her bag down by the door and kicked off her shoes. “What are you guys doing on the floor?”
“We’re coloring, Aunty Tay,” Ron responded without looking up. “Do you want to come and color with us?”
Taylor ran a hand over her face and pushed her hair out of her eyes. “I would love to.”
Slowly, she lowered herself onto the floor next to us and adjusted the folds of her skirt around her. “How was your day today, buddy?”
“We’re learning about numbers at school,” Ron responded, pausing to wipe a hand over his face. “I don’t like numbers. They’re boring.”
Taylor patted his head. “I’m sure they’ll get more interesting.”
I tucked my legs underneath me and stretched my arms over my head. “How about your teacher, sweetheart? Do you like her?”
“Mrs. Thornhill is funny,” Ron said, stopping to look up at me and grin. “And she’s smart like you, mommy.”
I leaned forward and pressed a kiss on top of his head. “I love you, baby.”
Ron set his colors down and sat up straighter. “Mommy, can I take a bath now? I’m tired.”
I nodded and rose to my feet. “Let’s go and fill up the tub.”
On my way past, I give Taylor a meaningful look. She waited until we were in the doorway to our room before standing up and wandering over to the fridge. I ushered Ron into the bathroom and listened to his story while we waited for the tub to fill. Once it did, and the water was warm enough, Ron hurried out of his clothes and went in. I handed him all of his toys before ruffling his hair.
“I’m going to be outside with Aunty Taylor. Call if you need me, baby.”
In the doorway to the bathroom, I lingered and watched him, his blonde hair matted to his forehead. He pushed it out of his eyes and played with his actions figures, making low noises under his breath. Once he realized I was watching him, he gave me a smile that made my heart grow to twice its size.
I smiled back at him before leaving.
Taylor was waiting for me at the dining room table, our plates of food already set up and two glasses of wine on either side. She lifted hers, took a few sips, and sighed. I pulled my chair out and sank into it.
“How was your day?”
Taylor eyed me over the rim of her glass. “Same as usual. I know you don’t really want to talk about my job, so spill.”
“Ron’s dad came by today.”
Taylor sat up straighter, nearly spilling some of her drink. “He came by where? Here?”
I nodded and took a long sip of my drink, wincing when it burned a path down my throat. “I had to list your address on my resume for the reference.”
