Page 109 of Baby, Be Mine

Impatience threatened, but I managed to bite my tongue. “About Emma?”

“Oh, right. Yes, she bundled up that little one of hers with bags of clothes and diapers. I’m pretty sure she even took the bassinet. And off they went before ten this morning, I think.”

“Ten?” I’d definitely texted her after that.

And who was the man?

The father?

I didn’t know much about Pierre, but I got the feeling the professor wasn’t exactly a mountain of a man.

She’d just left without telling me?

“Is the baby okay?”

“Oh, yes. Poor thing has a touch of colic. I don’t envy Emmaline with that one. My Timothy had it, and oh, the sleepless nights.” Shetsked with a shake of her head.

“Thanks for the information, Mrs. Turner.”

“You’re welcome. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.” She went back inside, and I could hear her murmuring to her dog as she closed the door.

Would she really go without talking to me at all?

And where had she gone?

I went back to my truck and got in. I popped open the to-go container of fries and ate one. I’d missed lunch, as usual, while talking to Penn.

On a hunch, I opened my email and sure enough, there was something from her there. It had only come in an hour ago.

Mason,

I loved working with you. Your family is amazing, and I wish every happiness to Gina and Jared on their upcoming wedding.

First of all, Adriana is fine. However, she will need far more attention from me than I can give her and work with you. I’m sure you understand that my little bean has to come first.

I know my job was a trial basis and I’d hoped for more time.

More time with you.

Even more time with your beautiful restaurant and the MJ2, but especially time with you.

My mom and dad have been asking me to come home, but I’d hoped I could stand on my own for once. I guess this was a sign that it wasn’t the right time for that.

I don’t regret anything between us, but I do regret putting Adriana second even for a night. I just can’t let that happen again.

I hope you understand.

Emma

PS: Don’t work so hard all the time. Maybe that was the lesson for both of us.

I tipped my head back and bounced it on my headrest a few times. Every reason I’d told myself not to hire her was here in black and white. But it didn’t make my chest hurt any less.

I tossed my phone into the cup holder and started my truck.

I couldn’t fault her for choosing her kid above me. Above The Mason Jar or the barge even.

I drove back to the restaurant, but instead of stopping there, I kept driving around the lake and parked on the grassy hill and stared out on the lake until the sun slipped into the tree line, and finally dropped out of view.

---