Detecting Secrets by Sami A. Abrams

Author:Sami A. Abrams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-11-16T00:22:57+00:00

NINE

Friday 12:00 p.m.

Charlotte sank onto the couch after a quick lunch, laid her head back and closed her eyes. Coaching Ginny through the birth of her baby had been wonderful and heartbreaking all wrapped into one. The whole experience had left her exhausted, both physically and emotionally. Short of the house catching fire, she had no intention of getting up from her spot on the couch. Except maybe to go lie down in bed.

She reached down and buried her fingers in Theo’s fur, letting the warmth soothe her battered heart. A sigh escaped. She swallowed back the tears threatening to fall and let the darkness of sleep tug her under.

Something cold and wet touching her jerked her awake. Theo nosed her hand again. She blinked and obliged his request while she forced her mind to function, only to have memories slam into her.

A little hand patted her shoulder. “Miss Charlotte.”

She rolled her head and gazed into concerned gray eyes. So much like the girl’s father. “Yes, Amelia?”

“Can I get you anything?”

The offer twisted her stomach. Such an adult question from a five-year-old. “No, sweetie, I’m good.”

“You look sad.”

When Ginny’s baby was born, Charlotte had made a promise to herself. She wouldn’t allow her dark thoughts to taint Amelia. The young girl had been through enough in her short life and deserved a lot more than Charlotte’s bitterness.

She shifted and patted the couch. Amelia crawled next to her. She inhaled the baby shampoo the girl used and held back the sobs collecting in her throat.

Charlotte swallowed hard. “You want the truth?”

“Daddy says it’s always best to tell the truth.” The corners of Amelia’s mouth drooped.

She brushed a wisp of hair from Amelia’s face. “What do you think?”

The girl blew out a big breath. “I think sometimes it’s hard.”

“Why is that?”

Amelia shrugged.

The weight pressing on the young girl worried Charlotte. “Come on. It’s just us girls. Why is it hard?”

“Because if Daddy knew the truth, he’d be mad.”

Charlotte sat up straighter. Whatever the huge secret, it had Amelia tied in knots. “You know, if you tell me, maybe I can help you figure out what to do.”

Amelia seemed to ponder the offer, then shifted to face her. “He’s angry with my momma.”

How much should she say about Amelia’s situation? The girl was young but had, as they say, an old soul. Not to mention the kid was super smart. If Charlotte had to guess, she’d say that Amelia would hit genius level on an IQ test. Due to that and her background, she understood life better than kids twice her age. “Yes, he is. But I can understand why. She lied and kept you from him.” She paused, not sure whether or not to mention the neglect.

“It’s okay, Miss Charlotte. You can say it. My momma left me alone to do drugs.”

Just as she suspected. The child knew more than everyone gave her credit for. “Something no child should ever experience or have to understand the meaning of.”

Amelia dipped her chin to her chest.

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