From Heiress to Mom by Therese Beharrie

Author:Therese Beharrie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-02-05T16:39:20+00:00

CHAPTER TWELVE

‘YOU’RE SCARED OF HIM,’ Autumn said for what felt like the millionth time. He gritted his teeth for what felt like the millionth time, too.

‘I’m not scared of him,’ he said. ‘It’s new.’

‘It’s not new. You took care of your sister.’

‘I was six when she was born. I did the bare minimum when she was a baby.’

He wasn’t actually sure that was true. He couldn’t remember doing anything for Janie when she was a baby, though there was a high likelihood that he had helped in some way. His childhood up until the moment she’d died had been helping to take care of Janie.

His heart expanded in his chest, testing the limits of its confines. Seconds later, it shrank back to its usual size. The feeling stayed—expanding, shrinking—making him ill.

He wasn’t upset about it. He’d expected some sort of physical reaction long before that moment. In fact, he’d expected it after his mother had called that morning.

‘Are you okay?’ she’d asked without preamble.

‘Good morning to you, too, Mum,’ he’d said.

Since he hadn’t been able to sleep, he’d already been up, driving around Cape Town, trying to get Eli to nap. At that moment, Eli had been. Thankfully. Hunter wasn’t sure how he’d explain the crying baby to his mother. He hadn’t got to that point in his head yet. Hadn’t been sure how he’d explain his one-night-stand baby to his mother.

‘I’m fine. Why?’

‘What do you mean “why”?’ Her voice had lowered, as if she didn’t want anyone to know what she was saying. ‘Today’s...you know.’

It had taken him too long to realise what she was talking about. When he had, he’d closed his eyes with a little breath.

‘I’m okay,’ he’d said after a moment. ‘Are you?’

‘Fine.’ His mother had cleared her throat. ‘I have the day planned out. No second free.’

‘No second to think.’

‘Which is the point,’ she’d reminded him. Her tone had softened. ‘You sure you’re fine?’

‘I am.’

When he’d disconnected, he’d taken a moment to let the shame flood his body. Then he’d driven directly to Autumn’s place. He’d needed the comfort. Was embarrassed by how much. Not that it beat the embarrassment he’d felt at the fact that he’d forgotten the anniversary of his sister’s death. Thirteen years ago, he’d lost Janie. And he hadn’t remembered.

He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t remembered. His mother was a big enough part of his life that he’d noticed her absence in the past few weeks. She’d gone to Greece this time; she needed to be anywhere other than Cape Town, where Janie had died. She’d followed the custom every anniversary for the last twelve years. The first anniversary, she had been home, and still married. It had been rough enough that she’d finally filed for divorce.

The following year, she’d gone on her first overseas trip. Hunter had stayed at home alone since it had been during his final school year, and he hadn’t been able to miss any days because of final exams. Besides, he’d preferred home over staying with his father, who he hadn’t seen since the divorce.

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