Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66570 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 333(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 222(@300wpm)
This was the ring I’d been searching for.
“I’ll take it.”
“The price—”
I waved my hand. “I’ll pay the asking price. This is Amy’s ring. I want her to have it.”
Holly squealed into her hands. Helen beamed.
“I’ll ring it up,” she quipped.
I laughed, feeling as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. “You do that.”
Holly nudged me. “How are you going to ask her?”
“I’ve got a plan.”
“If we can help, let us know.”
“I will.”
AMY
I finished tidying the classroom and sat at my desk, looking around to make sure everything was in order. The week had gone by at its usual brisk speed. Simon and I kept a careful watch on Mia, but she seemed perfectly normal. No nightmares or worries. No acting out at school. She had a couple other questions for Simon about Kelsey, but more curious than anxious. It seemed the encounter with her mother was something that didn’t bother her and she didn’t place any significance on. I was grateful for that, and I knew Simon was relieved.
Simon.
I still couldn’t believe I had him in my life. He was incredible. A dream lover. A fabulous father. Supportive, loving, and kind. Despite everything he’d gone through with his ex, he was still so open to love.
And he loved me.
I had no doubt. I had never been treated the way he treated me. The envy I’d often felt for Holly when I would watch her and Evan together was long gone, because I had the same thing with Simon.
He’d been busy this week. Quieter than usual, although still affectionate and sweet. I assumed he had something big going with his business since he was on the phone a lot. I was wrapping up the course I was taking, looking forward to it being over. I loved the space I had in the house, but most of the time, I wanted to be downstairs with him and Mia. I enjoyed my time with them and had a sudden dislike of my apartment and being alone. I had to admit, part of me was waiting for him to ask me to move in again. I wanted to. More than I ever expected to want something like that. I wanted to be fully immersed in a life with him and Mia.
A knock on my door made me look up. Eleanor Aldridge was there, looking uneasy and waiting for me to bade her to enter.
I waved at her. “Come in.”
Of all the unexpected things to happen from the Kelsey incident, Eleanor’s sudden change of attitude was the biggest shock. She had been horrified at what occurred. Upset that she hadn’t seen what Kelsey was doing. Grateful I had walked out of the school when I did.
She had apologized to the principal, to me, and to Simon. She’d even offered her resignation, but Simon had waved her off, shocked at the offer.
“This was Kelsey’s fault,” he insisted. “She caused all of it. The fire alarm, everything. She wanted you distracted. Let’s put it behind us and move forward.”
Since then, she had changed. Softened, perhaps. She was still stiff, but I had noticed some laughter come from her classroom. The kids smiled more. She was friendlier and didn’t scowl as much.
“Hi, Eleanor,” I greeted her.
“Hello, Amy,” she replied, coming in and leaning against the table across from my desk. “Looking forward to the weekend?”
“Always.”
“Any big plans?”
This was also new—the chatting. But I encouraged it.
“Not really. Mia mentioned a picnic, but it might be too cold. Sunday, my parents are coming out. What about you?”
“Oh, um, nothing really. I need to do some organizing at the apartment. I, ah, don’t tend to do a lot of things on the weekends except get ready for the week ahead.”
I heard an underlying tone of pain in her voice. A loneliness I hadn’t detected until now. An idea hit me, and I decided to go with it. “You know, Holly and I are going shopping next weekend for some craft stuff in Halifax at the fair. The Christmas items are coming in, and we like to plan some fun things for the kids. I always find great ideas for my class as well. Maybe you’d like to come with us?”
Her face paled in shock, and she blinked. “You’re asking me to come along? With you and your, ah, friend? Angela’s mom?”
“Yes, Holly is Angela’s mom, and yes, I am inviting you.”
I was shocked to see the glimmer of tears in her eyes. “Really?”
I stood and rounded the desk, standing in front of her. “Yes,” I said again. “Really.”
“Why?” she asked. “I’ve been so miserable. Why—”
I cut her off. “Because you’re trying. And I think there is more to you than the scowls and sharp words. I know you’ve been hurt. And frankly, I think you could use a friend. And I also think we could get along well if you would let me in.”