Page 55 of Breaking Emily's Rules
The woman had long straight brown hair tied in a tight ponytail and didn’t seem like Dylan’s type. Maybe she really was the babysitter.
“Is she your only child?” Molly wanted to test the waters and make sure this woman, whoever she was, wasn’t going to lay claim to Sierra.
“No, she’s not mine. I’m helping my next-door neighbor out today. My kids are already in school all day.”
“I’m Molly.” She only occasionally glanced in Sierra’s direction to avoid seeming like some creepy stalker-type.
“Sandy,” the woman said with a smile. “And this is Sierra.” She patted her tuft of red curls and Sierra smiled at her.
Molly felt a wave of love kick her in the chest with such power that she had to sit for a minute. She crouched down next to Sierra. “A beautiful baby.”
“Where are your kids?” Sandy asked.
Of course she would want to know that. How many women randomly dropped by the park to check out the babies? Freaky types who were looking to steal a baby, that’s who. Molly gave Sandy points for asking, but she managed to come up with a plausible lie.
“My boys are right over there, playing with their friends.”
Sandy looked in the direction of a gaggle of boys playing on the slide nearby and smiled. “Boys. Same here. I have three. Never had myself a little girl and we’re done now. That’s why it’s so much fun to watch her.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
“How about you?” Sandy asked, while she handed Sierra another shovel. Sierra took it and put it in her mouth.
Molly sucked a breath in and resisted taking the shovel away. “What about me?”
“I mean, are you going to try for a little girl someday?” Sandy asked, taking the shovel out of Sierra’s mouth.
I already have one.
“No. Not me. I’m divorcing my husband,” Molly lied.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. He’s a real jerk.” Molly wanted to use another more accurate word, but there were children nearby.
“A lot of that going around. My neighbor, Sierra’s daddy, is about to start divorce proceedings, too.”
“He is?”That rat. He’s trying to blindside me.
“He’ll get full custody of Sierra. Isn’t that right, sweetie?” Sandy cooed to Sierra, who squealed.
“No!” Sierra said.
“Isn’t it funny how everything is no at this age?” Sandy laughed.
Molly felt her insides churn. What she had to do was run home and tell Daddy or maybe call a lawyer, but she couldn’t seem to move away from Sierra. There was a good chance she might be able to hold her for a few minutes.
Suddenly, from behind them by the slides, an honest to goodness shriek of pain caused every mother in the park to look in its direction. Even Molly. A little boy came tearing toward them.
“Is he yours?” Sandy looked at Molly.
“No,” Molly said with her heart in her throat. Pretty soon everyone would figure out all of these boys were accounted for and not one of them was hers. Then good luck getting this babysitter to ever trust her again.
The boy ran past them, holding his hand. All his friends ran with him toward a woman whose face had turned many different shades of terrified. The mother.
“I’m a nurse. I better go see if I can help. Would you keep an eye on Sierra for a minute?” Sandy walked a few feet away to help the mother and son.
Molly gazed at Sierra, who had not missed any of this commotion. Her face, in fact, reflected everything Molly felt inside: stiff puckered out bottom lip, quivering chin, tears welling in her eyes. It seemed only natural to pick her up and give her some comfort.
