Allena found the kettle in the kitchen and set it on the stove, then rinsed out the mugs and rummaged through the cupboard for coffee and sugar. The coffee tin was empty, and when she found tea bags, she settled for them, plopping them in the mugs as she waited for the water to boil. It had been unnerving; it had been a difficult decision to even consider leaving Justin and his kids, but she didn't have a choice. She had to live her life and mind her own business.A few minutes later, she heard the front door open and close, and Justin was back in the kitchen. “They’re fine,” he said, plonking his hat on the table. “It’s cold here.”Allena agreed, “I know—”“We should sit by the fire.”Allena looked at the fire crackling in the hearth and nodded. “I’m making tea.” She knew Justin didn’t really like tea. He was a coffee-drinker. But he didn’t refuse the mug when she passed it to him. Seconds later, they were sitting on the large sofa. It was lumpy and not all that comfortable, but it w
Strange, Justin mused as he looked at her, but it took all of his willpower to push back the mental image he had suddenly run riot through his brain. Images of Allena lying on the sand wearing nothing but a tiny, revealing bikini. The idea sideswiped him for a second and then settled in his blood. The clingy, ill-fitting T-shirt wasn’t helping, either. It outlined every dip and curve and left nothing to the imagination. His groin tightened, and he shifted uncomfortably, trying to think of something intelligent to say but coming up with nothing. Sure, he wasn’t usually much of a talker, but he’d never had trouble talking to Allena. If anything, she was one of the few people he felt genuinely comfortable around. But this feeling was different. He wasn’t prepared for it. He was confused. Jesus, I'm going crazy, he thought to himself.And he didn’t want to be confused about Allena. He didn’t want to blur the lines. All he needed was for her to stay and care for his kids. He certainly didn
“I’m going away soon,” Allena explained simply, her voice almost cracking. “In a few weeks. Which means I won’t be your nanny anymore.”Justin watched as she swallowed hard after each long breath. And he knew, in that moment, how hard it was for her.No one said anything for several seconds. Cassie was fiddling with her cards, and he noticed that. Jayden was tugging on his bottom lip with his teeth.“So, you won’t be taking care of us?” his son asked quietly, his concentration focused on the cards in his hand.Allena nodded and spoke gently. “No, sweetie, I won’t. You’ll have a new nanny who will look after you.”His son still didn’t look up. “Just not you?”Cassie got off her chair and stood beside Allena. “But I don’t want a new nanny.”Allena grasped his daughter’s hand gently. “I know you don't, and it’ll be hard at first. For all of us,” she added, and she glanced up at him.Justin saw his daughter’s expression crumble, and his heart just about broke. His kids understood. They kn
Love me!Fall in love with me. Be mine!Of course, she didn’t say that. She wouldn’t, ever. But a girl could hope, right? Could she even tell him that? No. Obviously. Allena quickly pulled her hand from his. They shouldn’t be holding hands. That was against the rules. “I want you to stop asking me what you can do,” she replied. “There’s nothing to do, Justin. I’m leaving, so you’ll just have to get used to the idea.”But she knew he wouldn’t. She knew he would keep asking, keep pushing, and keep trying to work out a way to get her to change her mind. As calm and reserved as he was, she knew he could be stubborn and hardheaded when he wanted to get his own way.He pushed back his chair and got to his feet. “This isn’t like you, Allena.”“I know you might be astounded that I’ve suddenly developed a sense of initiative,” she said, standing. “But this is me, Justin. And frankly, I’m surprised a smart guy like you didn’t see this coming. Despite how much I care about the kids, you really c
Justin growled and rolled his eyes. “I don’t see how racing off with some guy she’s never met constitutes romance. The fact is, I’m concerned for her safety.”“Oww?”“Grandmother, she is taking a risk, and I worry. What if—”Mittie’s brows rose higher. “Is that what it is? Are you worried?”Justin wasn’t sure what he heard in her query. “Of course. What else?”“She’s turning your world upside down.”“You’re right, she is; I mean, I need her, um, the kids need her so badly, I can't do this alone," he agreed, irritation weaving through his chest when he remembered the fact. “The kids need her, and she’s abandoning them.” And me. Yeah. It felt that way too.“That’s correct,” Mittie said gently. “She is needed here. Although I’m not sure you fully comprehend why,” she smirked at her grandson. “You know why Chase and Tyler are happy with their lives right now?”“Because?”“Because they too took the risk, Chase told Amaya about what he felt. Tyler did the same. See, they were happy now.”“W
Justin frowned. What was with everyone today? First his grandmother, now Mitch? “I don’t plan on competing with anyone. She wants to leave so she can get married. Probably to this," he gestured in frustration, "stranger.”Mitchael grinned. “That might be a little premature. She’s never actually met this guy, right?”He shrugged. “Not yet, but they’ve been corresponding for months, apparently. I’m just as confused by the whole thing as you are. Maybe Tess can talk some sense into her.”“Don’t count on it,” Mitchael replied. “My wife thinks it’s romantic and has volunteered to be with Allena when she meets this guy.”What?Justin tossed his hands in the air. “Great! Has everyone lost their minds in the last twenty-four hours?”“Possibly,” Mitch said, laughing again. “Tess said her sister has been thinking about it for some time.”“Nice to be told.” Jesus!“You can be a hardass,” Mitchael said, grinning. “Maybe she avoided telling you because she knew you wouldn’t listen rationally.”Wha
“Bobby’s asking to meet,” Allena said, sighing and keeping her voice low so that Cassie wouldn’t pick up on the strain in her tone.“Are you having second thoughts?”She shrugged. “Second and third, and fourth,” she admitted. “I just want to be sure I’m doing the right thing. I mean, you know what I mean—”“I know, and I guess there are no guarantees in any relationship,” Tess added. “But you’ll never know unless you take the chance.”“So,” she queried, her voice quiet. “You think I should do it?”“You know what I think,” Tess replied gently.Tell Justin how she felt. Oh God, I can't.“I can’t,” she whispered.Tess got to her feet. “I’m here for you, whatever you decide. And now I think I’ll go and make coffee for you and tea for me,” her sister said, and then called Cassie’s name, asking her if she wanted milk and cookies.Cassie was on her feet in a microsecond, and Allena continued to cradle Charlie after they left the room. Alone, with her thoughts and the sleepy baby in her arms,
On Wednesday morning, Allena rounded up the kids, got them dressed and ready for the day, and then headed into town to take Jayden to school. He’d gotten past the hugging stage about a year ago, preferring to high-five her at the school gate. But for the past couple of days, he’d clung to her, oblivious to his school friends walking past. Allena hugged him tightly, smoothing her hand over his hair, telling him she loved him.“I saved my allowance,” he said as she crouched down in front of him, straightening his backpack. “You can have it if you want.”Allena looked at his serious expression. “Why would you want to give me your allowance…?”Her words trailed off, and he shrugged in a way that was so much like Justin that her heart rolled over.“I know Dad said it wasn’t about money, but you know my friend Simon—well, his mom has a job at the library, and she stayed there when she got more money—”Allena squeezed his small shoulders gently, pain and guilt radiating through her entire bo