Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
He was naturally curious and asked a lot of questions about growing up at Cloverleigh Farms, wondering if he could see it sometime, expressing astonishment at the number of siblings I had.
“Four sisters?” he asked, glancing at Cecily, who grinned impishly from her perch on the piano bench. “I wouldn’t survive.”
I laughed. “It was a crowded house, but a nice way to grow up. I’d be glad to show you around sometime. All of you. My family would love that.”
“Does your mom know about Chip?” asked Cecily, taking a bite of her cookie.
“Cecily,” Robin said, giving her daughter a look.
“It’s okay,” I said, smiling at the precocious little girl. She reminded me of Chloe at that age—no filter. “She does. And she’d really like to meet him—and you too.”
Cecily grinned. “Are there horses at your farm?”
“There are,” I told her.
“Could I ride one?”
“Sure.”
Her face lit up.
“So I hear you took the offer from Clemson,” said Tyler.
“I did.” Chip smiled. “Thanks again for all the advice.”
“Any idea what you might study there?” I asked.
“I’m not sure yet, but maybe environmental engineering.”
“Hey, who is Chip’s biological dad?” asked Cecily, out of nowhere.
“Cecily!” This time Robin’s tone was sharper.
“What, I’m just curious. You said you never knew, but she’s got to know. Right?”
There was an awkward silence during which I wasn’t sure what to say—Robin appeared mortified, and Chip looked like he sort of wished the earth would open up and swallow him. But rather than panic, I took it as an invitation from the universe to speak up. I exchanged a quick glance with Tyler, who gave me a nod and took my hand.
“Actually,” I said, sitting up a little straighter, “I do know.” I met Robin’s eyes and then Chip’s. “This wasn’t something I ever planned on sharing, but I’m at a point in my life where I’d like to be more open about . . . everything.”
Crickets.
Their faces were a mixture of confusion and expectancy, but I saw hope and excitement too—or at least that’s what I chose to believe.
I cleared my throat. “Okay, so, as you know, Chip, I was very young when I had you. Just eighteen. And your, um, biological dad was young too. We were just good friends, and the pregnancy was a bit of a shock for both of us.”
“You didn’t use protection,” stated Cecily matter-of-factly, swinging her feet below the piano bench. “We learned about that in sex ed this year. They call it Adolescent Health”—she made air quotes around the words—“but we all know what it is.”
“Oh, my Lord.” Robin shook her head. “Cecily Carswell, could you please button your lip? I’m so sorry, April. We do not have to discuss this.”
“It’s okay.” I laughed nervously, suddenly grateful for Cecily’s presence. “She’s right. We weren’t careful. And by the time I realized I was pregnant, I was already away at college, and he’d been drafted.”
“To the Army?” asked Robin with some confusion.
I shook my head. “To the major leagues,” I said, watching the shock overtake Chip’s face. “He was a baseball player. In fact, he was a lefty pitcher.”
Chip’s jaw hung wide open as he looked back and forth between Tyler and me, putting it together. “Oh my God. It’s you, isn’t it?”
Tyler nodded and swallowed. “Yes.”
“What?” Robin’s voice was shocked.
“Holy shit. Holy shit.” Chip glanced at Robin. “Sorry, Mom.”
“It’s okay.” She looked at us, her face a jumble of emotions. Mostly shock. “I’m just—I can’t quite—Tyler is Chip’s biological father?”
“He is. But he didn’t know that when they met,” I said quickly. “Tyler and I lost touch after my pregnancy. For reasons that are too complicated to go into here, we never talked about the birth or the adoption. We only reconnected a few weeks ago, when he came back to town for his sister’s wedding.”
“I had no idea who you were when I started working with you,” Tyler said to Chip, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. “I only realized it after April got the letter from your mom with a photograph. I was totally shocked.”
“I know the feeling,” Robin said, hands covering her cheeks. “This is—this is—”
“It’s a lot to digest all at once,” I said. “And I’m sorry to blindside you. We’re still processing it too. But . . .” I looked at Tyler. “We felt it was better to get the truth out right from the start.”
“That’s why you left, isn’t it?” Chip asked Tyler. “Because you found out about me.”
Tyler’s expression was grim. “At the time, I thought that was the best decision. I was trying to protect you.”
“From what?” Chip looked confused.
“From media attention.” I squeezed Tyler’s hand. “Tyler is still a hot topic, and the stories are not always kind. He was concerned that if it got out he was your biological father, you’d find yourself the subject of a lot of tabloid gossip. He didn’t want to embarrass you.”