Page 55 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

“What?!”

“I was in their house while they were at a fundraiser, and I took their toothbrushes, but Brock came home early and caught me.”

“Oh… well, that’s not so bad.”

“It’s bad, because now, I have to explain why I was doing it!”

“Oh… well, yeah, I suppose that’s bad. But honey, you were going to need to do that eventually anyway, weren’t you?”

I grit my teeth.

“What did he say?” she asks.

“Nothing! I took off without explaining!”

“Took off? Where?” she demands.

“I’m at my place now, waiting for the world to implode.”

She exhales. “Look, Emmy, just go back to the house, and tell them what’s going on. One way or another, the truth has got to come out. Frankly, it’s their own damn fault for being so drunk that they didn’t recognize you anyway, isn’t it?”

“There’s enough blame for everyone here,” I sigh.

“I don’t know why you’re even calling me for this. You know what needs to be done.”

She’s right, of course.

“Fine. I’ll do it in the morning when they’re all here,” I mutter.

“I would do it tonight, or that poor man’s going to think you’re doing some kind of ritual sacrifice with his toothbrush,” she teases.

“No, he asked if I was after his DNA. They aren’t dumb.”

“Well, maybe he’s put it all together by now, and you don’t need to bother with any of it,” she reasons. “In any case, let me know how it goes.”

“All right,” I mumble. “Thanks, Mae.”

“Good luck, Emmy.”

I hang up and look out of the loft window toward the back of the property. The full moon illuminates the trees along the back, and a scrawny coyote slinks into the shadows. My heart pangs at the sight as I remember my first day here and how I thought I’d never get used to the beauty of the sight.

I’m going to miss it here.

Too bad it was so short-lived. I would have liked to have enjoyed it just a bit longer, but I didn’t plan this out very well.

But the baby I’m carrying, this will be their birthright, won’t it? Maybe one day they will grow up to enjoy this property if their father does right by them.

I draw in a shaky breath and close my eyes. Here’s to hoping.

CHAPTER16

Toby

Ishrug Owen’s hand off my shoulder irritably.

“What?” I snap, the effects of the champagne taking hold as I make my rounds through the party.

I’m in my element here, chatting with fundraiser guests. But Owen’s incessant interruptions are getting in the way of my discussions about the wild horse rehabilitation program I’m trying to sell.

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