Page 18 of Daddy Wolf's Secret Baby

“We understand that you’ll want to go with your mother when she gets her treatments. We’re happy to work around your schedule with her and your son. You can even do a large part of this job remotely. You’d just have to come in for company and client meetings,” Watson said. “As you noted, this position startsoff at sixty-five a year with full benes, starting after the first thirty days.”

“That sounds perfect,” Zahra said, beaming.

That was a little more than what she had been making in Missouri, even though she had been with that company for six years.

“When can you start?”

“Tomorrow.”

They shook hands on it. She headed to a local diner to meet her mother’s best friend. They had a small, two-bedroom house for rent that was two doors down from her parents’ place. She signed the papers, gave them the deposit, first month’s rent, and last month’s rent.

Zahra returned to her parents’ place just as the movers came.

“Can you take it to that house?” she asked, pointing.

“Sure, thing, ma’am.”

“What’s going on?” Isobel asked, hurrying out of the house.

“I just rented that place a couple of houses down.”

“You know we want you and Jace to stay here.”

“I do know that, but as much as I love you and Dad, I can’t live with you. We would end up getting on each other’s nerves and driving each other crazy – especially Dad and me.”

Isobel sighed. “True enough.”

She hugged her mother. “Don’t worry. I imagine we’ll see each other every day.”

Smiling, her mother seemed to brighten up.

Zahra left her car in her parents’ driveway and ran to her new place. She quickly toured the quaint house. Although she had rented it sight unseen, she had been confident that it would be a nice home because her mother’s friend was a very fastidious woman and everything had to be perfect. Zahra’s confidence was well-placed.

She showed the men where they could unload the boxes and furniture. They finished just in time for her to pick up Jace.

“We have our own place.”

“Why can’t we live with Grandma and Grandpa?”

“Because I’m all grown up, and you and I need to have our own place. Besides, you just want to stay with them because they spoil you.”

“Maybe.” He smirked.

They spent the rest of the evening moving their belongings from Isobel’s and John’s house to their own and unpacking. Jace talked nonstop about all the new friends he made, his terrific teacher, and how much he really liked the school.

“I miss my friends in St. Theresa, but I’m glad I have new ones.”

She hugged him. “Me, too.”

Isobel and John took them out for Mexican food. Zahra was grateful. The day had been crazy. She had been running since her feet hit the ground that morning.

That evening, after Jace was snug in bed, Zahra called Emma.

Emma asked her how her mother and Jace were and how she was adjusting to life back home.

“Is it true that you can’t go back home?” Emma asked.

“Yes and no. Nothing has changed here. The people are the same and the stores are the same. I’ve changed some, though. I left when I was still basically a child. Now, I have a child of my own, which makes me see the place in a new light.”

---