Keeping Eileen by Chris Keniston

Author:Chris Keniston [Keniston, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Indie House Publishing
Published: 2019-12-17T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

For the first time in her life Fancy understood the expression heart-stopping. This little girl, her little girl, was so much more than beautiful.

“She looks like you.” Fancy glanced at Ethan for only a minute before returning her attention to the toddling cherub.

Ethan ducked his chin and placed a feather-light kiss atop Brittany’s head.

“Hi, Peanut.” Speaking softly, Fancy curled and uncurled her fingers in a more entertaining wave hello. “I brought you something.”

Brittany’s eyes widened with interest. Her father’s, on the other hand, narrowed with concern. Somewhere deep down, Fancy knew she would have to win over everyone’s trust if she was going to accomplish what she wanted. What she thought she wanted. Just now when so many feelings bubbled to the surface at the sight of her sister, her daughter, and the family bond held by the three, Fancy realized how much she had underestimated. The look on father and daughter’s faces made that perfectly clear. Allison looked totally torn, but somehow, eventually, Fancy would show them she’d changed. She simply had to.

From the bag beside her Fancy retrieved a small fluffy lamb. “I understand this little guy from a TV show is popular with kids.”

Brittany reached forward, poked one finger at the stuffed toy and then giggled before clutching it tightly to her chest.

She liked it. Her little girl liked the present. Garrett barely set a reassuring hand on hers, smiled, and quickly let go. Always a support. He’d spent the hour or longer with her in the store, walking the aisles, asking questions of the sales staff and the moms shopping and finally going with the suggestion of one little girl. Well, as much of a suggestion as a two and half year old could make when she grinned at the two stuffed animals Fancy had shown her mother and grabbing at the white one yelled, “Lambie!” Once the mother had explained that her “Lambie” was at home waiting for her, Fancy had her present for her daughter. At least one of them.

“What do you say?” Allison coaxed.

Brittany managed to grin even wider, kick her feet and bounce on her dad’s lap. “Tank chu.”

“You’re welcome,” Fancy responded. The two little almost-words swelled her heart. “She seems very happy.”

“She is.” Ethan’s words came out low and firm.

Fancy nodded. She hadn’t meant to upset him, she’d only meant… “I knew she would be. I just knew it.”

“Oh, Fancy.” Allison bit on her lower lip and blinked back the water pooling in her eyes. The censure said everything her words did not—how could you?

“I didn’t have a choice.” She answered the unspoken question.

Garrett shook his head and lowered his voice, gesturing to her daughter with his chin. “This isn’t the time.”

No. Not with Brittany sitting on her daddy’s lap. All morning she and Allison shared memory after memory of the good times, the sad times, Aunt Millicent and the hundred reasons Fancy ran away. They caught up on all of Allison’s adventures and the entire time Ethan kept a hand on his wife in silent support.

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