Page 18 of The SEALs' Single Mom Baby Surprise

“You need help?”

“Nope. I got it.” And she does, closing the door behind her and buckling herself into her booster seat. She complains about being old enough not to need one, but she’s still too short and doesn’t weigh enough to go without it.

“How was your day, Ketchup Queen?”

Reese frowns. “I tried to get it out, but all it did was give me a wet spot for the rest of the day.”

“It’s fine, sweet cheeks. How was the rest of your day? Other than the animated eating that caused your wardrobe malfunction?”

“Good. We got to paint today, and not just with our fingers. I asked Miss Leslie if I could use a brush, and she taught us how to draw rainbows with them. I get to bring mine home tomorrow.”

“I can’t wait to see it.” Grinning, I catch a glimpse of hers in the rearview mirror as I pull onto the two-lane highway home. “What have you got in your bag today?”

“Macie’s mom brought in a tin of cookies, and when they were gone, she said I could keep the round box. It’s such a pretty blue, Mommy. I want to keep my crayons in it. Is that okay?”

Reese’s big green eyes go wide with pleading, and it’s an easy request to grant her. “Of course. It’s very smart to reuse it that rather than throwing it away.”

My daughter preens in her seat, and she settles into her story time, telling me about the kids she played with today, and what songs they sang, and the book Miss Leslie read during storytime. She complained about having to learn to tell time on these round clocks when all the ones she sees outside of school tell her the numbers clearly.

The sun lowers across the horizon as we head west toward our new apartment. The drive is a little longer than it used to be, but I’m glad Reese can appreciate the view with me on our ride.

“I like it when the sky gets purple and pink. I wonder if Miss Leslie can teach us how to paint that next time.” Her forehead is pressed to the window beside her, and the setting sun makes her skin glow.

My daughter is such a beautiful girl, and I know mothers are biased, but I truly think so. I’m going to have to invest in a big stick once she’s old enough for the boys to notice. It’s the same threat my mom made when I became a teenager.

Too bad it hadn’t worked. The reality of sneaking out to see my boyfriend at sixteen resulted in my being a single mom come the middle of my first year in college as a seventeen-year-old.

I wouldn’t undo it for the world, but I will make sure Reese doesn’t have to sneak and get into the same kind of trouble I did.

But we’ve got a long time for that yet.

When I peek in my rearview mirror again, oddly shaped headlights are on my tail. They keep pulling close and backing off, but I refuse to give in to the pressure to speed up. Five miles above the speed limit is more than enough for this stretch of the road. Especially with my precious cargo.

An opportunity comes for the car to pass me, but they stick behind me.

Worry grows in my gut.

Why would someone follow me home? How would someone know where I am?

A deeper dread builds in my chest.

What if it’s one of Alistair’s friends? He’s used them before to keep tabs on me when he couldn’t. I don’t recognize the car, but that doesn’t mean anything.

And I can’t see the driver’s face.

The long-rooted fear has me barreling past our exit. I don’t want to bring one of my ex’s spies home. It will undo all of the work I’ve done escaping from his clutches.

“Mommy. You missed our street.”

“I know, honey. Just taking a little detour. You’re buckled in tight, right?” My hands squeeze the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white.

“Yes.” Her voice is soft and scared.

“Okay. Just hold on to the door. I’m going to make a rough turn.”

The next exit comes up. I don’t signal or brake. I just crank the wheel and send us flying down an unfamiliar road.

That car follows.

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