Page 52 of Harmless Secrets

That caused her to stop trying to explain. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Because…well, just because. You are too young to have a baby.”

“I turned thirty this year.”

Horror moved over his features. “I don’t care. In my mind, you’re still a virgin.”

She rolled her eyes. “Well, I was on the run. I couldn’t trust anyone in England, so I went to South Africa to that estate my mother’s family owns.”

He shook his head. “Oh, Ali, why didn’t you come looking for me? You didn’t have to do it alone.”

“But I did, Sean. I couldn’t risk it. I was afraid I would lead whoever killed father to you. I knew it had something to do with his investigation, and I was worried you would be in danger.”

“So, you leave yourself exposed? Alicia.”

She heard the reprimand in his voice, but it didn’t anger her. She had to speak the truth.

“I couldn’t have you get hurt.”

Before he could respond, the sound of little feet reached her and she found her daughter rushing toward her. “Mummy!”

And much like she had that morning, Bridget launched herself at Alicia. “Poppet, what are you doing down here?”

“Miss Dee said she could take us out for lunch and then she said I had to ask you.”

Bridget looked at Sean and smiled.

“Lord.” It was the only word that escaped as he looked at her and Bridget.

“Sean,” Dee said. He finally broke away and looked at Dee.

“Hey there lovely lady. When are you going to leave that boring husband of yours?”

She gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t let Micah hear that. Last time you said something like that, he threatened to kick you out of Rough ‘n Ready.”

She was smiling at him and then he looked at Bridget. “That is freaking uncanny.”

Suddenly what Dee said hit her full force. “Wait. You mean Sean is a member of your BDSM club?”

Dee nodded and opened her mouth.

“No. Don’t. I don’t want to know. It would be like knowing what my brother was doing in his sex life. Too much information.”

Dee laughed. “Okay. I wanted to know what you thought about having…” she leaned forward and put her hands over Bridget’s ears. “I thought maybe we could have Bridget stay over.”

Alarm moved through her. “I’m not sure that would be a good idea.”

“I just thought it would give you and Dev a couple days to get the security up to grade. We have a good system but then, they probably wouldn’t make that connection.”

“Actually, it’s a good idea,” Sean said.

Alicia crossed her arms. “I don’t like it.

“Of course you don’t,” Dee said. “I wouldn’t either, but if Bridget’s okay with it, we can try it. If she gets upset, we can always run her back over.”

“And, they won’t connect you with her right now. This way, Micah and Dee can keep an eye on her. Neighbors will just know there is a friend visiting.”

She thought it over. From the day she was born, Bridget had never been away from her overnight. She looked at her daughter.

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