The Patient's Daughter by Jenna Kernan

Author:Jenna Kernan [Kernan, Jenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-ONE

Becca and Jules stared at her with matching rapt expressions, waiting for her answer. Now she felt so ashamed of suspecting they were up to some foul play. The entire thing was so preposterous and an uncomfortable reminder to her of the sort of outlandish accusations her mother would make.

Delusions. Paranoia. No, she was not her mother.

Taylor straightened.

“Taylor?” Becca coaxed. “What did you think we were planning?”

“I don’t know,” Taylor lied. “It’s embarrassing.”

“Ooh! Embarrassing,” said Becca. “Spill.”

“Something, I don’t know, to do with the babies.”

Jules scooped another portion of pasta into his mouth and then wiped the sauce from his beard.

“Ooh,” said Becca. “Did you think we meant to steal them?” She grinned, clearly joking.

Taylor flushed. She had, actually.

“Some people would find the idea of taking on twins rather a nuisance,” said Zoe. “I’ve been worried about the crying and the smell. But your room is at the far end of the hall, so I’m hopeful they won’t disturb me.”

All three of them stared at Zoe, frowning.

At the long silence, Zoe glanced up from her plate and lifted a hand. “What? Babies are noisy and troublesome.”

Becca shook her head and cast Taylor an ‘is she for real?’ look. Taylor smiled.

“I suppose that’s true.” Taylor set aside her napkin.

The pause stretched.

“I’m sure my sleepwalking only made that worse. And that maternal protective instinct is just acting as it should. You were right. We were up to something. Becca should be a party planner. I just delivered the invites to your office. We didn’t invite anyone from this neighborhood. Didn’t seem like you’ve had enough time here to really settle in, make friends. You know?”

She nodded. That made sense.

“You sleepwalk?” Zoe had her hand at her collar again, tugging at the edges of her blouse.

“Yeah,” said Becca. “He does.”

“Around the house?” asked Zoe.

“He can’t get into your room. So relax,” said Becca.

“I’m glad you could make it to the party, Zoe,” said Jules, changing the subject.

“I’m not much for parties,” said Zoe. “I like people, but they just… well, objects of art, my acquisitions, they are more predictable. Introverted, my dad used to say. Maybe you’re like that, too, Taylor.”

The reasons Taylor was closed off and constantly wary were too complicated to get into with them. She was more suspicious than introverted but she went with it.

“Introvert. Yeah. I think so,” said Taylor. “Also, an only child. Makes it harder. I was alone a lot.”

“I prefer that,” mumbled Zoe.

Jules nodded. “And here we are encroaching on your space.”

“Plenty of space here,” Taylor said. And she was determined to keep every square foot. She could already see the playset in the yard that Seth and she would build once her ankles no longer looked like mush melons.

She yawned. “Oh, I’m sorry. My energy level has been just flatlining lately.”

“Your body is busy. You need more rest. It’s normal,” said Jules.

How did he know so much about pregnancy?

Taylor tamped down her suspicions. They were not kind, especially after all these three had done for her, when they barely knew her.

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