Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39170 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 196(@200wpm)___ 157(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
“I came to see Conrad,” Susan said.
Instant mind whirls, with thoughts colliding into each other. “Stella isn’t here, so I’m guessing he’s out running errands.” Wait. Did Susan know Stella? Was she here for business or something personal? Had Conrad known she was coming? “I can take a message for him.”
“Oh, there’s no need. I already texted him, and he’s on his way here. I’m his foster mom, in case you were wondering.”
How wonderful! “I’m so happy to meet you.” Grinning, Jane hastened to the woman’s side and guided her past the front door. “Please, come in. Let’s get you comfortable while you wait for Conrad.”
They headed straight to the kitchen, where Beau unpacked and stored the groceries. Jane made introductions as she led Susan to the small round table rather than the more formal one in the dining room, then hurried to the fridge to fix three Mason jars of sweet tea with a sprig of mint.
She spotted Rolex in the windowpane, peering out. A quick glance revealed Cheddar frolicking in the fenced backyard shaded by the branches of an enormous hickory. Beau must have put him out to stretch his legs. And oh, wow, was her kitty ever riveted by the sight. He stared, unblinking.
Cutest bromance of all time!
Jane settled at the table with Susan and slid a glass her way. Beau drained his jar at the counter rather than joining them.
“Ladies,” he said then, and left as quickly as he’d entered. Probably going to do a quick check of the premises. Or escape an uncomfortable encounter with a stranger. Or both.
“Were you Wyatt’s foster mom too?” Wyatt was Conrad’s younger brother—either biological or foster, she wasn’t sure which. Jane had gotten to meet him the first and only time she’d visited Conrad in the city.
“I was.” Susan glanced heavenward, as if praying for divine patience. “Those boys and their troubles.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
Another smile bloomed. “Conrad mentioned you might have questions for me.” Her expression turned thoughtful. “He also informed me I had permission to answer whatever you asked.”
Really, truly? Her heart skipped a beat. What did that mean, though? Why would he do such a generous thing for an ex-girlfriend? He’d always been so closed off about his past. “Well, I only have one question. More of a request, really.”
“Go ahead. I’m ready.”
Okay then. “Tell me absolutely everything you know about him. Leave nothing out. No detail is too small. I’m so curious about young Conrad. And older Conrad, if I’m being honest.”
Sadness suddenly pulsed from her. “I only got to spend about eight months with him. Not nearly long enough. After losing his family in a car accident, he bounced between foster homes. He went from shock to grief to anger, as you can imagine, and began to lash out. Or so I was told. He went to a group home for trouble boys and stayed there until the age of fifteen, when he came to live with me. He’d only just begun to come out of his shell when he asked me to relinquish him.”
Then. That moment. Jane’s heart shattered into hundreds of tiny pieces. Young Conrad…somber… “Why did he ask to be relinquished?”
“He wanted Wyatt, who is several years younger, to live with me. The two met in the group home, but Wyatt wasn’t doing well there. Conrad knew I had room for only one charge at a time. He asked me to take Wyatt instead. I made a few inquiries, and Wyatt came to live with me soon after Conrad left, and he stayed until he aged out of the system. They both come to visit me several times a year.”
Those sweet, darling boys. Had they felt rejected in different homes, unwanted by other families? Were they bullied by other kids? Did they find any happiness? Tears welled in Jane’s eyes.
“Is Wyatt his biological brother?” Best to make sure.
“No.” Susan tilted her head. “You love Conrad, don’t you?” Her eyes widened as soon as the words left her mouth, and she pressed a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. That’s the one topic I wasn’t supposed to mention, no matter what.”
Jane jerked, almost knocking her jar of tea to the ground. In love with Conrad? No, no. Of course not. With shaky legs, she rose and darted to the refrigerator to cover her awkwardness. She wrenched open the magnet-covered door, allowing the chilly fridge air to cool her overheated cheeks.
Conrad had spoken of Jane with the woman he most likely thought of as his second mother. Not only had he brought up the subject of love, but he’d also set perimeters. For Jane’s comfort? An amazingly thoughtful gesture.
You love him, don’t you?
Her throat tightened. “I don’t love him. I can’t.” But I wish I had the freedom to do so.
Ugh. Grandma Lily’s letters must be getting to her.