Take Me (and My Kids) by Bonnie Edwards

Author:Bonnie Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bonnie Edwards
Published: 2022-07-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Wednesday, 6:50 p. m. – Rook’s Nest Cottage

Jesse’s ruse had no possibility of success, but Eva appreciated his desire to help. He’d convinced himself that if he met Bernie Morgan, he could make him see reason and defy Estelle. He wanted to appeal to Bernie’s kind heart.

She agreed with Jesse that all legal means had failed. It was a very long shot, but she despaired of finding a way through this quagmire.

Somehow, she had to figure out how to give Jesse the opportunity he needed. No way would his plan work, but since she didn’t have another one, she needed to give this idea a shot.

What Jesse didn’t understand was that Bernie’s emotional responses were dictated by his wife. Eva had explained to Jesse that Bernie allowing her Wednesday video chats was a huge departure for him. The man had been married to Estelle for over thirty-five years and had put her first every day. She should be grateful for what he’d given her, not be greedy for more. But her heart wouldn’t listen, and neither would Jesse.

Bernie accepted his wife’s lead; an impossible habit to break. Sure, he’d bent the rules when Estelle wasn’t home, but the moment any of them slipped and the truth came out, the video chats would be over because Estelle would end them.

She’d spent days and lots of sleepless hours pondering Jesse and his plan. He wanted to plant a seed in Bernie’s heart that might grow into compassion. That compassion was supposed to give the older man the strength to confront his wife.

Eva couldn’t see Bernie making that leap, but Jesse seemed determined that it could work. Desperation plagued her every day. Soon, there’d be a new school year and the chance of Jesse’s plan working after September was slim. He needed time for Bernie’s compassion to grow. The sooner the better.

Eva pulled her laptop off the coffee table and onto her lap. Estelle should be gone by now. She made the call and connected with the girls right away. Seeing them smile back at her onscreen made her heart thud.

Words tumbled out of them both, so many, so loudly she couldn’t hear. “Girls, one at a time, remember?”

They both nodded at her and when they took turns, it became easier. Their cousins had been much kinder to them since their dad’s lecture. It turned out that their mother had liked Eva and once she explained the truth to her sons, the boys had gained new perspective.

“I wasn’t aware your aunt liked me. She was nice when I saw her, but I assumed she was being polite.” She was a quiet woman and Eva had taken her demeanor to mean she followed along with Estelle.

Apparently, the Morgan family had opened up about Eva and how she’d been a good stepmother and loved Sophie and Jilly as her own. Eva’s heart filled with appreciation. She’d had no idea that the parents supported her. She filed the information away to use later.

“I’m relieved I don’t have that worry about you anymore.

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