Page 20 of Silver Fox's Twin Babies

That was the real rub here. Amber had a secret she didn’t feel safe enough to tell me, which meant I was failing at creating an atmosphere she felt free to be herself in. And Jacob was being too prideful to admit it so I could just move past this. One way or another I had to either let this go and put it out of my head, or I had to get one of them to fess up. Because if they were still an item, there was going to be a lot more pain and suffering for all of us, including Erin.

And that wasn’t something I looked forward to.

13

AMBER

Being back in the school just weeks after learning how badly Parker was struggling felt like a choke hold. After Jacob’s heart attack and how strangely things developed with Evan, I had been so busy and distracted I hadn’t put anymore thought into things. Jacob had a few suggestions, but I hadn’t chased them up yet.

“It was great for Mona to watch the kids. I sure hope Nicky isn’t being a pain.” Shelby walked next to me. Our shoes left puddles on the floor. I was shocked they hadn’t canceled tonight’s open house after the snow that had fallen all day.

“I’m sure she’s fine.” I waved off her concern. Mom was amazing with children, especially Vera and Parker. Chances were the boys were gaming while Mom read books to Vera.

“Well, it was nice of her. I might just have to keep her in mind if I ever get a hot date like you.” Shelby hooked her arm through mine as we perused the bulletin boards. Her dumb grin made me smile too.

“He’s not a hot date,” I hissed playfully, but I knew what she was thinking. After sleeping over last Friday at Evan’s house things shifted. Shelby kept goading me, picking on me for likinghim so much. She didn’t know how complicated I thought things were. She saw them as a natural progression into something more.

“Oh, but he’s hot.” Her elbow pushed into my side in a gentle nudge as we stopped to look at the winter snowflakes board. Parker’s was creative, but as usual Vera’s excelled. He had made a simple white paper snowflake cut with scissors. Vera, on the other hand, had embellished hers with glitter glue and cotton to give it a sparkly soft effect.

“We have some artists.” Shelby pointed up at Nicky’s which was also embellished simply with blue and purple colored pencils and a few cutouts. It was sweet seeing all the different art done by the second graders here. It wasn’t so sweet when Ms. Newsome walked up to Shelby and me with eyebrows high.

“Hello, Ms. Lawson, I hope you’re enjoying the displays we set up for all the parents this evening.” Ms. Newsome wore her hair down this evening. A blue blazer and black slacks made her look professional but comfortable.

“Thank you. Yes, I love the snowflake art.” The stark contrast just in Parker’s artwork to other students’ skills was obvious. His handwriting where he wrote his name was another tell. He’d written his A and his K backward.

“Do you have a second?” she asked. I glanced at Shelby and decided I didn’t want to do this alone this time. Life was heavy enough on its own without adding more complications. I knew we had to do something to help Parker, and I felt bad about having put it on the back burner for so long.

“Uh, here is fine. Shelby is fine to stay.” My best friend’s grip on my hand tightened at the mention of her name like she could sense that I needed her support.

A crowd of people filtered by as Ms. Newsome cleared her throat and smiled at me. “Well, as you remember we have some decisions to make regarding Parker and Vera.”

My mind went to the day I told Jacob about what Ms. Newsome had said weeks ago. He had been so helpful and encouraging. He pointed out a few programs that could benefit them, and I had forwarded the emails on to the school but never followed up. After that Jacob was gone and I walked into a firestorm of work trying to get Evan up to speed. And rekindling things with Evan was the icing on the cake.

“Yes, I remember. I sent you a program. We’d have to fill out applications for grants and?—”

“It’s done.” Ms. Newsome folded her hands in front of herself. Her proud smile beamed at me, confusing me.

“What’s done?” I glanced at Shelby and then back to the teacher. I hadn’t done anything but share the information with them.

“I filled out the forms and submitted the grant requests. I wanted to let you know in person that Vera and Parker have both been accepted into the programs. We already have a teacher on site certified to help us and the children will start their new classes next week.”

Confusion swirled in my head. I stared at her blankly for a second before I could even process what she was saying. Then tears threatened to well up in my eyes. There were moments in life when I felt like my father was watching over me, protecting me, and this was one of those times.

“So…” I blinked hard and shook my head as I tried to wrap my mind around things. Ms. Newsome only smiled more brightly.

“Someone from Montgomery Enterprises called with all the information, offering to pay for everything if needed. The grant money is still pending, but with the donation on your behalf, Vera will be able to visit the gifted class one class period a day where she will be challenged. And Parker will do the same, but he’ll receive help in the areas he’s struggling.”

Shelby’s hand crushed mine as I shook my head in disbelief. I thought Jacob had just given me information. I had no clue he was orchestrating things behind the scenes. It made me feel even worse for not trying harder to stop by and visit him. When Erin turned me away saying he was sleeping, I should have offered to stay and clean up for her, or anything.

Dad would have been so pleased to know how his best friend was caring for me. Though, he would probably have been ashamed of me forgetting that it wasn’t every day a man would go out of his way to care for his best friend’s offspring long after his death.

“Thank you…” I muttered and Ms. Newsome nodded.

“You’re so very welcome. I’m really happy we are able to intervene so early for Parker and get him off to a great start. From here out, he should have no problem staying in the program until he’s up to par. You’ll just have to work with his teachers every year to reapply for grants.” She glanced away and her eyebrows shot up. “If you’ll excuse me, I have other parents to catch.”

“Thanks again…” I sighed as she hurried away. Gratitude in my heart made a grin spread on my lips. Jacob was my guardian angel sent by my father to be the dad I needed but no longer had. I slid my hand into my pocket, already thinking of what I’d send him as a thank-you text, but Shelby gripped my wrist.

“Good God, did you tell Evan he’s the father?” Her question snapped me out of my daydream and shock shot through my body.

---