Page 45 of One Sweet Lie

“Sure.” I nodded. “I’ll be right on it after I finish their laundry.”

“It’d be better if you do itnow,” he said. “You’ll cut into your sleeping hours with the travel, and you’ll need all those for tomorrow.”

“I’ve braved plenty of rush hour traffic in my life,” I said. “I doubt it’ll take me more than two hours for me to run to a store.”

“Who said anything abouta store?” he asked. “San Fran, as in San Francisco the city, Miss Hawthorne.”

“You want me toflyto California?”

“I wouldn’t expect you to walk.”

“But that’s…” I paused. “Can I ask a dumb question?”

“I’ve never heard a smart one.”

Ugh.“Can you justbuyhim another Binky Bunny from the store?” I asked. “It would save time, fuel, and energy costs.”

“You sound more concerned about my plane than my child, Miss Hawthorne.”

“I’m merely suggesting that you purchase him an identical pacifier. It’s not like he’ll notice the difference.”

“The Binky Bunny is the only pacifier he’s used since you started working here, and he’s had it since he was five weeks old,” he said. “It’s a custom-made gift, the only one he’s ever liked.”

I crossed my arms, refusing to believe that.

Sensing my skepticism, he walked to the dresser and opened the top drawer. He pulled out a similar stuffed bunny and held it out for me.

Then he gestured to the others.

“Try giving him any of these during his next meltdown and see for yourself,” he said. “My pilot will keep the jet waiting for you and the children until eight.”

“I have to take the children with me?”

“No, I’m sure they can stay here and care for themselves until you get back.” He rolled his eyes. “I’m off to work.”

Holding back a scream, I kicked the soiled clothes bin—sending dirty diapers all over the floor.

William’s ‘I’m awake now’cries startled me during dinner.

I rushed to the nursery and scooped him up, holding him against my chest.

“It’s okay, William.” I patted his back. “It’s okay.”

He wailed and made an “O” with his lips, telling me he wanted a soother.

“I have one for you.” I slid a bright blue one into his mouth. “Don’t worry.”

He sucked on it a few times and stopped crying.

I knew it.

Giving it a few more sucks, he wriggled and spit it out. Then he screamed louder than before.

“Okay, okay.” I walked over to the dresser and pulled out another option. “You have plenty of new soothers to try. Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

It took sixteen others for me to accept defeat.

I dressed him and Charlotte in matching sweatsuits and called the pilot.

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