Page 35 of Silver Fox's Secret Baby

“I can’t wait, and yet I’m terrified,” she said.

I nodded. “I remember the feeling.”

She looked at me with sympathy. “I don’t know how you did it alone and away from your mom.”

I shrugged. “You do what you’ve got to do.”

“I’m so grateful to have Alex. And I’m so excited for my dad to become a grandfather. He’s going to be so good at it. Much better than mine was.”

Envy squeezed my heart. I knew Henry would be a wonderful grandfather, giving his grandchild love and support. Pax deserved that too. If Henry knew the truth, would he love Pax as much as he’d loved Victoria? Would he even believe me?

"Sometimes, I wish Dad had remarried and had more kids," she mused, a hint of sadness in her voice.

“Oh?”

“I don’t remember him dating, at least not having a relationship. But now I wonder if he’s lonely. That’s why I’m so glad you’re here. He needs energy and life in this house again.”

“He’s being very good to us.”

“Are things going okay staying here? In the new job?”

“Yes. Like I said, Henry has been like a godsend.”

“Good. Like I said, I worry about him rattling around in this house. I wish he’d do more than work. Maybe meet someone.”

“Is that a possibility?”

She shrugged. “Probably not. I think there was a woman he loved a few years ago, but it didn't work out for some reason. He wouldn’t give me details."

I swallowed. "Who do you think it was?"

"I don't know. But I'm sure it was someone amazing because he hasn’t been with anyone and... there’s a reverence or something when he thinks about her. I can’t explain it because he won’t tell me about it. I can just tell she was special, important. I wish I could find her and ask her what happened. Maybe if I knew the truth, I could help him move on."

My heart clenched at her words, wondering if I was that woman. But then I remembered how Henry had ended our relationship. He hadn’t loved me. "Maybe it just wasn't meant to be," I whispered, mostly to myself.

“Maybe.” She smiled at Pax as he made car sounds, pushing the vehicles along the floor. “How is the new job?”

“It’s exactly what I’d like to do, although I hope to someday do it in my own business. I’ve actually been researching how to get started.”

“Wonderful. I know you’ll be successful. I’m sure my dad will be sad to lose you, but I also know he’ll help you. If there's anything I can do to help as well, just let me know."

“Thank you.” I’d long admired Victoria and would love to have her as a mentor in business.

“Does that mean you’ll stay in New York?”

I hesitated. I wanted to stay, I realized, but I couldn’t. “Right now, I’m focused on getting my life sorted and dealing with my father.”

"Of course.”

Pax yawned and played down on his side, his hand still pushing a car.

“Looks like someone is ready for bed,” I said. “Pax, sweetie. Let’s pick up the toys and get ready for bed.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I know. But it’s time.”

“That’s my cue to go,” Victoria said. “Can you give me a hug, Pax?”

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