Monster In The Closet (The Baltimore Series Book 5) by Karen Rose

Author:Karen Rose [Rose, Karen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Headline
Published: 2017-05-31T18:30:00+00:00

Fifteen

Hunt Valley, Maryland,

Sunday 23 August, 8.10 A.M.

Taylor was still blushing as she took the chair Maggie had indicated, grateful that someone had put a full cup of coffee at her place. She took a big gulp, wincing when it scalded her mouth. Still, it was a welcome distraction from the unwanted attention from the three adults at the table, who stared at her, then Ford, then back at her.

But no one said a word and Ford got busy cooking.

Stevie rolled her eyes again, but this time in an uncomfortable, self-deprecating way. ‘Before anyone says anything, I need to apologize. I was rude to you yesterday, Taylor, and I’m very sorry. My daughter was right. You were very brave to come here and, based on what you were told, very smart to take the precautions you took. Regardless of where you choose to settle permanently – here or California or anywhere else – you are always welcome in our home.’

Taylor felt like a weight had rolled off her shoulders. ‘You had every right to protect your husband. But thank you. Apology accepted.’

Clay smiled at his wife, something warm and lovely passing between them. Obviously they’d kissed and made up from the night before, which was another weight off Taylor’s shoulders. She hadn’t wanted to come between them.

‘I told them about your adoption,’ Maggie said. ‘So you don’t have to go through it again.’

‘Thank you,’ Taylor said fervently.

‘I have to say I’m relieved,’ Clay said. ‘I’ve felt so incompetent all these years, not being able to find my own child when I make a living helping other parents find theirs.’

‘My dad in California is a smart guy.’ Taylor hesitated. ‘I really think you’d like him.’

Clay’s smile was gentle. ‘I think I would too. I’m not happy that we were apart for so long, but I can understand his reasons. But enough about what’s past. I want to know everything that’s going on in your life now. College and hobbies and all of that.’

The rest of breakfast was relaxed. Ford set big platters of food on the table, then took the empty chair on the other side of Taylor. The conversation flowed naturally as Taylor and Clay simply got to know each other. Stevie and Maggie added details when Clay’s recitation of the facts was too sparse, like the way he’d saved his fellow soldiers in Somalia, ending with his being awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. And the way he’d courted Stevie for years before she’d finally said yes.

The stories painted a picture of a truly good man, and too many times Taylor mentally cursed her mother for denying her this relationship.

As she ate, she also found herself worrying about who she’d choose. It seemed that Ford could read her mind, because every time her thoughts wandered, he’d squeeze her hand, bringing her back to the present. The past was done. The lost years couldn’t be recovered or relived. The future . . . Taylor still didn’t know what she’d

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