Oh, Baby! by Patricia Kay

Author:Patricia Kay
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-07-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Sophie had no problem getting Wednesday off—she’d talked to Connie Woodson, the assistant principal, who had kindly provided Hannah’s House with Sophie’s transcript and who was not a gossip and would keep that information to herself. So at ten o’clock, car packed with Joy’s things, the two sisters set off again for San Antonio. It was a two-and-a-half-hour drive and they stopped for lunch along the way, so it was a little after two before they arrived. Sophie had texted ahead to say when they would be there, so Sister Monica’s assistant, a pretty young woman named Michelle, greeted them.

“Your room is all ready,” she told Joy. “And the welcoming committee is waiting for you in the common room.”

“The welcoming committee?” Joy said.

“We always have a little party for a new resident. After you put your things in your room, come and join us.”

When Sophie and Joy entered the common room, Sophie was astonished to see balloons, a cake and ice cream and a small pile of wrapped gifts. Joy seemed stunned.

The other girls beamed as she opened the presents. There were a couple of onesies, several receiving blankets, a pair of crocheted booties with a matching sweater and cap, and a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.

“This is so sweet,” Sophie said to Michelle.

“The girls love doing it.”

Sophie could feel tears threatening. These people were so nice. Joy would be happy here. And she would have a happy baby because of it.

My baby, Sophie thought, looking at the gifts. I’ll be using these things. Somehow the sight of the tiny baby clothes made the baby’s coming arrival seem more real.

Sophie stayed another hour, then said her goodbyes. Joy walked her out to her car.

“I’m going to miss you,” Sophie said as they hugged.

Joy’s eyes glistened with tears. “I’ll miss you, too.”

“But I think you’ll like it here.”

Joy nodded. “All the girls seem really nice.”

“You can call or text anytime. You know that. And I’ll come down as often as I can.”

“I know,” Joy whispered, hugging Sophie again.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“I know,” Joy said again.

As Sophie drove off, she could see Joy standing in the drive. She looked so small and young. Sophie swallowed against the lump in her throat. Hannah’s House was a perfect solution for Joy, and there was nothing to be sad about.

But it took Sophie a long time to shake off her melancholy. In fact, she still hadn’t completely shaken it by the time she reached the Crandall Lake city limits.

As if he’d been watching for her return, Sophie’s cell rang as she pulled into her garage. Caller ID showed it was Dillon.

“Hi,” she said, getting out of her car and closing the garage door.

“Are you back?”

“Just pulled in.”

“How’d it go?”

“Very well.” She told him about the welcoming committee and the gifts. “Joy’s going to be happy there.”

“Good.”

“What about Aidan? Did you talk to your friend again?” By now Sophie was in the house and she dropped her purse and keys on the kitchen table, then sank into a chair to finish the conversation.

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