Page 60 of Secret Bet
She swallowed and chose her words carefully. "I don't know about all that. I'm sure they must have missed you. Peter told me how he broke into pieces the dayyouleft."
His mother lifted her headup. "What?"
Belle pressed her hands together. "I shouldn'thave said anything. I'll let Peter and you bond. Your other children will beheresoon."
His mother's hands shook as she reached out to touch her knee, the same way Peter had earlier today. "Thankyou,dear."
Belle stood and wiped her hands on her skirt. "I'm going to ensure that the chef has enough food for when the Morgans allshowup."
His mother hugged her waist still,but tried to smile. "You're sweet and down to earth. I'm happy Peter found someonelikeyou."
She pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. "Whyisthat?"
"His father would have bought him women, and no one was here to ensure Peter was taught right fromwrong."
"Peter doesn't want to be like his father. I understand that more every time I hear what Mitchhaddone."
"You don't know nearlyenough."
"I'm good." From the stories she had already heard about him, she didn't doubt it. She licked her lips and told her heart to stop racing. It didn't work, but she said anyway. "Peter Morgan has a lot of good inside him. Perhaps that comes from you? We came from the hospital where we gave everyone adonation."
Her smile could light up a room. "He stilldoes that? I used to bring him to do that as a boy. It angered his father, but I wanted him to see how others suffered and how luckyhewas."
There was so much to straighten out. She shouldn't get involved with the life and loves of the Morgan family. This wasn't her business. A family wasn't something she intended to involve herself with, not after everything, and no mother should likeher. She tried to stayreasonable.
"Just relax, Mrs. Morgan, you'rehomenow."
"Again, call meIsabella."
As Belle stood, she nodded and then walked toward the kitchen. She was absolutely sure that she didn't fit in here. She wasn't even sure where this kitchen was. She wandered down the hall and hoped to find it withoutgettinglost.
