Page 53 of Nanny for the Firefighter

I don’t detail the lengths to which he was willing to go to keep me in line, but somehow, I think my mom knows what I’m getting at.

“He, umm, I don’t think he really liked me for me, you know? I think he just wanted to own something.”

Sniffling around the words, I look up at my mom again, only to find that she’s fighting back tears. It hits me much more than expected, and I hate that I’ve kept her in the dark like this.

I hate that Ihadto.

“Bridget, I…” Mom’s voice cracks, and she clears her throat to regain it. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. I wish I could have beenthere for you. It couldn’t have been easy to have an emotionally abusive boyfriend.”

Abusive? Jai wasn’t?—

But I stop myself before the old habit of covering up for him takes me any further. He was emotionally abusive, and I know it.

He was physically abusive, too, but it’s the way he manipulated me—made me think I was irrational and stupid—that clings to my every thought.

I don’t want to let him win anymore.

“It wasn’t.” I nod. “It…I hope you understand. I just didn’t feel strong enough to call and tell you. I barely feel strong enough now.”

My mother blinks rapidly to fight back the tears, and I wind up doing the same. She takes both my hands as she reaches across the table and squeezes.

“You are an amazing person and daughter, Bridget. Don’t you dare let him make you think otherwise. I love you so much, and the thought that someone hurt my baby…”

Mom’s expression changes from sorrow to fury just like that, and I can sense the anger and hatred she has for Jai.

Whoever once said don’t mess with a momma’s children probably knew the expression well.

“Well, anyway,” Mom shakes herself, taking a hand back to wipe under her eyes, “you’re home now, and if that Jai ever bothers you, you come tell me. I’ll show him the business end of my wooden spoon.”

I can’t help but laugh, and after another moment, we go back to eating. I know that my mom means well, but there’s no way in hell I’m telling her if Jai “bothers” me again.

Wooden spoons can’t hold a candle to what Jai can do.

As Mom finishes up her sandwich, she gestures toward the street.

“We should go to the pharmacy on the way home. My new prescription is probably ready.”

“Sure. We can stop by when?—”

“Well, hello there, stranger,” My mother interrupts, and I turn around in my chair to see who she’s talking to.

Oh no.

Coming out of the café with a to-go coffee in his hand is Mason. He’s wearing a suit instead of his typical business casual, and I have to force myself to smile and act cool.

“Mason, are you going into the office?”

I try to go for curious, but I’m not sure my tone reflects that.

He shakes his head. “Hey, Bev. Bridget. No, actually. I’ve got a rental showing. There’s a couple who’s interested in the updated lodge, so…”

I nod, unable to keep myself from asking about his daughter.

“Where’s Mia? Did you need me to?—”

“Oh, no. Thank you, though. She’s actually with Juniper and Hudson. When he came by to pick Juniper up, I asked him for the favor.”

“Oh, okay.”

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