Kate Hardy: Special Deliveries: Wanted: A Mother For His Baby

The despair in Laney’s voice was real and Bella winced. She hated disappointing her sister, but she had an obligation to Blake, as well.

“I’m not saying no because I don’t want to,” she explained, ignoring the way Laney’s request had caused a dip in her mood. “It’s just that I have a job this summer and I’m not sure I can get away.”

“Can’t you ask them? Tell them how important it is. I’m sure they’ll understand.”

“This is important, too.” Bella cursed her rising temper.

She didn’t want to be cross with her sister. Laney was thirteen and excited about going to Chicago. Bella didn’t blame her. If she’d had an opportunity to spend a few days there when she was her sister’s age, she would have been over the moon.

“Please. Please. Please.”

With each pleading syllable, Bella felt herself weakening. “I’ll have to check and see if I can have the time off. I’ll let you know later in the week.”

“I need to know tomorrow. That’s when they’re deciding if they need to cancel the trip or not.”

Behind Laney, Bella heard her mother’s voice. A second later, Laney was replaced by her mother.

“Bella, we have everything in hand here. You don’t need to ask your boss for time off.”

As much as it would relieve Bella to believe that, she’d grown up hearing her mother utter the exact same phrase when things weren’t the slightest bit under control.

“That’s not the way it sounded.”

“Your sister cannot expect you to fly to home so you can chaperone.”

The weariness beneath her mother’s exasperation tugged at Bella. She should be home helping out instead of living the good life in New York. It had been selfish of her to move so far away.

“I’m sure it will be okay with Blake,” she assured her mother.

“Blake Ford? That nice man who called us a few weeks ago?”

Bella rolled her eyes at her mother’s description of Blake. Many words could be used to describe the attractive CEO. Nice was probably not top on the list. Forceful. Determined. Persuasive. Sexy as hell. Nice was too tame.

“I’m working as his son’s nanny for a couple months while his regular nanny recovers from a broken leg.”

“It’s wonderful that you can help him out. Don’t you worry about Laney. Someone will step forward and be their chaperone.”

Even though Bella had been relieved of responsibility, her sense of obligation lingered. “If no one does, give me a call back. I’m sure I can figure something out.”

“Of course.”

But Bella knew her mother wouldn’t call. She never asked for help. She just tried to get it all done on her own. Only she never did. There was always something left undone. Pieces to be picked up by Bella. And now her other siblings. But were they helping out?

“How are things going there, Mom?”

“Terrific.”

Bella wasn’t sure why she asked. Her mother never showed any signs of stress. But it was always there, just below the unruffled surface. When Bella had lived on the farm, it had been easy to pitch in. These days, Bella worried all the time about what was going on, but she was too far away to help.

Except with money.

It was how she assuaged her guilt over living so far away. Sending money let her feel as if she was still able to make things easier on her parents.

“I’m glad to hear things are good.”

“Oh dear, Laney has another call coming in. We’ll talk soon. Elephant shoes.”

And as Bella was echoing her mother’s I love you, the phone went dead.

She slid behind the wheel, her enthusiasm for the outing fading fast. The familiar burden of responsibility had descended on her shoulders. Her mind told her to shake it off, but a lifetime of habit kept the weight right where it was.

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