Page 71 of The Bargain

It was past 9:00 a.m.!Timmy!

I jumped out of bed, only to immediately stop and wince. Last night seemed to have been a little rougher than I'd realized.

After wriggling into my dress, I didn't even bother trying to find my underwear. I simply rushed towards the nursery.

I blushed as I found Mrs. James changing Timmy’s diaper.

I looked down at my bare feet and crooked dress. It was not hard to guess what I'd done.

But there was no judgment in her eyes, only an unexpected glee. Was she happy about Dean and me?

“How is he?” I asked, walking toward them, trying to forget any discomfort I could feel.

Timmy was a little paler than usual and very quiet. He was usually very happy when he saw me in the morning, but today he just looked at me with tired eyes.

“He is okay,” Mrs. James reassured me. “But he didn’t have much of an appetite this morning,” she conceded.

I nodded. “Yes, he looks a bit under the weather.” I took a deep calming breath. “I can’t wait for the surgery to be done and my little boy to be safe.”

Mrs. James smiled at me. “He’s a strong little boy; he’ll be fine.” She looked at me with a cheeky little smile. “Why don’t you go take a shower and change. I’ll stay with the little angel until you’re back.”

Nodding, I took a couple of steps before she stopped me.

“Also, Mr. Beaumont said to tell you that he has been called into the office to deal with an emergency, but he will try to come back as soon as possible. He also left you a note in your room.”

I detailed her. Why was she radiating with so much joy over this?

“You’re not judging?”

She chuckled, waving her hand dismissively. “On the contrary. I'm elated. Mr. Beaumont is not a bad man; he is just so…lonely.” She let out a sigh. “He laughed with me today. He whistled. Mr. Beaumont never whistles. I have to admit, happiness suits him. I’m just sad it took more than twelve years for me to witness it again.”

I looked away and blushed. Knowing that little me had the ability to make the all-powerful Dean Beaumont happy did things to my stomach.

Showering quickly, I then changed into a plain tee-shirt and jeans before reaching for the note on my nightstand.

Opal,

Unfortunately, I was called away. I will do my utter best to be back as soon as I can.

I asked Mrs. James to look after Timmy for you. When I come back, we shall talk.

Sincerely,

D

I blushed at the memory. Dean had taken me a total of three times last night and I suspected my body was going to need to recover for a while.

I had to smile at the formality of his note; had he ever written something coming from the heart? I doubted it.

I brushed my fingers over the name ‘Timmy.' He was coming around. He’d changed, but yes, I agreed we needed to talk. I had to tell him the truth because it was too big of a secret to start a relationship on, especially given the note he'd shown me yesterday. Opal's note.

It broke my heart to realize that my sister had probably done all of the horrible things Dean thought she did.

I was worried. Jeremy had told me that Dean wasn't a forgiving man and I’d seen that firsthand, but if Mrs. James was right, if his love-making last night was any testament, he liked me too.

I walked back into the nursery just as Mrs. James was putting Timmy back inside his crib.

Walking over to him, I frowned at his rapid breathing. It has been a while since that happened.

---