Page 40 of Keep This Promise
“I’m going to go back to part two, but you think I’m wonderful?”
She laughs. “Maybe I exaggerated that part a bit.”
“We’ll go with wonderful, but go on, what’s on your mind?”
“As you know, I don’t have any access to my funds, and I was told not to touch it even if I could. I’m assuming whoever Theo has me hiding from is watching our accounts, so I was hoping we could stay with you. Just until I get a job and make enough that we could move out. All I have is a bit of cash, and I don’t know how long it’ll tide me over.”
I take her hand like I’ve wanted to since I saw her. “You don’t have to move out. If you want to work and save your money so you’re not trapped, do that, but don’t leave. Stay with me. My house is paid for, there aren’t any bills I can’t manage, and . . . I like you both being here.”
Big risk to say all that, but here it is. Coming home from the hospital and them being here is truly amazing. I have never felt so at ease. Plus, I want to soak up as much time as I can with Eden.
“You’re sure?”
“Positive.”
“Thank you!” Her smile is wide, and she leans over and kisses my cheek. “It won’t be a lot of money, but it’s a step, and it’s not too much time away from Eden.”
“I think it’s great. Now, I have a favor to ask you . . .”
“Yes. Whatever it is, I’ll do it.”
I raise a brow and smirk. “Anything?”
“You would not be asking for those favors.”
She’s right. I would never. Still, it’s fun to tease her. “No, but tonight is poker night, and I would like you and Eden to come with me.”
“I’d love to go!”
“Good. I’ll go shower, and we’ll head over.”
* * *
“Sophie! You came!” Blakely says, pushing right past me and going to her. She loops her arm in Sophie’s and guides her inside without even acknowledging me. “Come in, it’s freezing out.”
“Nice to see you too, Blake.”
“I see you all the time, Holden, and most days I’d rather not.”
Emmett comes around the corner and grins. “Seems you’re not the favorite anymore.”
“I’m not sure I ever was.”
He chuckles. “You were never mine.”
I flip him off. “I hope you have something stronger than beer for tonight. We’re going to need it.”
“Are we waiting for Spencer, or are you going to clue me in why we have to talk? Is it about Sophie or Eden? Like, maybe you took a DNA test—”
I lift my hand, cutting him off. “Eden is mine without a test.”
“Holden . . .”
“No, listen. I don’t need a test to tell me what I already know. Mama James said the same thing when she saw her. She knew, just like I did. As I said to Sophie, had she come to me right after, I wouldn’t have questioned it. While I absolutely hate how it all happened and that I’ve missed three years of her life, a DNA test doesn’t change what I see when I look at Eden. I’m done talking about this, and I’ll take it as an insult if you say otherwise.”
“All right. I won’t bring it up again,” Emmett assures me. “So, if it’s not about the girls, is it about the dead husband?”
I wish I knew something about that, but I don’t. No matter how hard I try to figure out if there is something about them that I’m not seeing, the only thing that stands out is my medical license number. It is almost as if the person who sent them wanted to remind me that I am, in fact, a doctor. So, I requested Theo’s medical records.
