Page 54 of The Christmas Eve Delivery

“And if she’s not asking for prenatal assistance?” I asked.

“You’ll definitely want paternity established for child support. Let me draft something up for you.”

“Yes, I’d appreciate that,” I said.

27

LYDIA

As much as I didn’t want to admit Evie was right, she was. Miles didn’t come back. Because Miles was a liar.

I didn’t know how to proceed. I had been deluding myself for months. I almost wished that instead of his lying about who he was and really being the jackass who wanted to come in and destroy Brookdale, that I really was some accidental side piece who got knocked up. That almost seemed like it would have been easier to deal with.

Then again, a lie is a lie. I really didn’t know anything about the man at this point. I no longer cared to find out. There was always the possibility, since he lied about who he was, that he also lied about there not being a family he was being disloyal to. It was best if he stayed away.

What could he say to change my mind if he did come back? Nothing. He wanted to destroy everything about my life. He wanted to take the Sweet Mountain Inn away from me, and I wasn’t going to let that happen.

“How are you doing today, pregnant lady?” Evie asked as she stepped into the lobby. She had a handful of mail with her. “I intercepted Mary on her delivery today.”

“You’re playing post matron?” I teased.

Evie dropped the stack of bills and junk mail on the counter.

“Practicing for my next career,” she announced.

I picked up the stack and began sorting the mail into the piles. Stuff I didn’t want to read—bills. And stuff I didn’t have to read—junk. My hand started shaking as I stared down at the envelope I held. It looked like it was from a law firm in New York City. My name and address were handwritten.

“Lydia, you okay?” Evie asked.

I let out a shallow gasp and struggled to take in another breath. “I… I… I…” I stammered. “I don’t think I can open this.”

She reached out and took the envelope from my hands. “What is it? Looks official. A summons for jury duty?” She looked at the front of the envelope. “Wilson and Priest. I don’t recognize that name. Maybe it’s something to do with your aunt’s estate.”

I shook my head. “They’re in New York City.”

“Everybody’s in New York City,” she corrected me.

It certainly did feel like it sometimes.

“Greg Blake handled all of Ruth’s estate. Do you think it’s… it’s JM?” I struggled to say his name. I could not call him Miles anymore, not now that I knew that wasn’t really his name. Or was it?

He had told so many lies to so many people, I had no idea what was the truth.

“Do you want me to open it for you? Her eyebrows raised above the heavy frames of her glasses.

I nodded.

She slid a fingernail in under the flap, ripped the envelope open, and pulled out a folded, printed sheet. I stared at her face, watching as her eyes darted back and forth. I didn’t breathe the entire time.

“That asshole!” she declared.

“What?” I snatched the letter from her hands and began reading for myself.

Miles was being a complete and utter dickhead. I was furious. The paper crinkled as I tightened my fists.

“He wants me to do what?” I handed the letter back to Evie, rage clouding my comprehension. “What am I reading? This makes no sense.”

Evie took the letter from me. “Have you even asked him for any of this stuff?” After glancing over it again, she set it down on the counter.

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