Page 55 of Pucking Secret

Her smile is big and toothy as she turns to look at me once they’re done.

“Look what Owen got me!”

I grin. “I know, sweetie. Don’t forget to say thank you.”

She turns her face back up to Owen. “Thank you!” Then, looking back at me. “Did you like it, Mommy? Did I do good?”

“Of course I did,” I assure her. “You were fantastic!”

“Absolutely stunning,” Gram adds.

Millie wiggles until Owen puts her down and then quickly moves forward to hug Gram. “Thank you for coming!”

“You’re welcome, sweetie,” Gram replies.

Jumping back, Millie turns her gaze back up to me. “Can we get ice cream?”

I hesitate, glancing at Gram. I can tell she’s tired. Her eyes are heavy and there’s a slight slump in her shoulders.

Looking back down at Millie, I say, “sweetie, we should get Gram home…”

“Please!” Millie begs, clasping her hands together. “Please, please, please can we get ice cream?”

I would honestly love to take her for ice cream. She deserves a treat after doing so well at the show. However, I don’t want to drag Gram around and wear her out. I’m torn between caring for Gram and disappointing Millie.

“Why don’t I take Millie to the store to get stuff for ice cream sundaes?” Owen suddenly offers. “You can take your grandmother home and then meet us back at your place.”

The offer catches me off-guard and I don’t respond for several seconds. In that time, Millie jumps up and down, clapping her hands together in excitement.

“Can we, Mommy?” she asks. “Can Owen and I go to the store?”

I hesitate a moment longer before slowly nodding, “O…okay. That sounds like a good idea.”

“Yay!” Millie cries, grabbing Owen’s hand. “Come on! Let’s go!”

“Hey, hold on a sec,” he tells her. “We need to get your skates off.”

He sits her down on a nearby bench before kneeling in front of her and unlacing her skates. He’s so careful and gentle as hepulls them off her feet. It’s so fucking adorable, I can hardly take it. I quickly dig her shoes out of her bag and hand them to him. He helps her put them on and ties them for her. When he stands back up, she immediately grabs his hand and pulls him toward the exit.

He shoots me an amused grin, and lets her drag him outside, her teddy now permanently clutched in her other hand. Gram and I follow behind. In the parking lot, we move Millie’s booster seat from my car to Owen’s and once I get Millie buckled up, I give her a kiss on the forehead.

“You be good for Owen, okay?” I tell her.

She nods. “I will, Mommy!”

Stepping back, I shut the car door and turn to Owen, handing him my house key. He takes the keys from my hand, and when he smiles, I smile back at him. I’m suddenly realizing just how much I truly do trust Owen. I trust him implicitly. Iknowhe’ll take care of her.

“Here,” I say. “Let yourself in and I’ll be there soon.”

“All right,” he nods. “Don’t worry. Millie and I’ll be just fine. I promise you won’t come home to a chocolate-covered kitchen.”

I laugh nervously. “I’d appreciate that, thanks.”

I stand back and watch as he gets into the front seat of his car and drives off. Then, I get in my own car. Gram is already inside, buckled and ready to go.

As I pull out of the parking lot, she looks at me in concern., “Are you okay, sweetie?”

That’s a difficult question to answer. I’m a nervous wreck, but mostly because I know I have to tell him the truth…tonight.. He’s starting to grow attached to Millie, and she to him. The longer I don’t tell him the truth, the more potential there is that this could damage their relationship.

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