Page 26 of Secret Baby with My One Timer

I sweep her up into my arms, cuddling her close as I stroll to the door. I latch the security chain before I unlock the door. “Hello.”

A man dressed in a charcoal three-piece suit, white shirt, and gray tie stands in my doorway. He must be six feet four and although he’s in forties, he’s handsome, even his silver fox hair looks smart and refined.

“Taylor...”

I groan. “Are you a lawyer or a private investigator?” I stare at him directly into his eyes. “Ooh.”

He nods. “She has got my family’s eyes. I thought Oliver was exaggerating.”

“What are you doing here?”

“To beg for forgiveness. My son had nothing to do with anything. I dragged him along to a lawyer without listening to him. I did that, based on my past and not on what he was telling me.” He sighs. “Can I come and talk to you? Can I meet my granddaughter?”

“What’s your name?”

“Leighton Peckham.”

“Tell me something to make me believe you’re who you say you are,” I ask.

“You’re refreshing.”

I laugh.

“I know my son fell in love with you at your first meeting. I know he told you he was a pilot. I know he virtually blackmailed his friend to get your information from Club X.”

“He did?”

Leighton nods. “I know he was here this morning, and you told him it was over and he’s currently in my home distraught. Not only because of losing Holly again, but also because he has lost you.”

I unlatch the door, opening it wide and say, “Do you want to meet your granddaughter?”

Chapter 11

Taylor

After another night shift, I spent as much time as my body would allow to sleep, unfortunately owing to my current state of mind, wasn’t very much.

I accepted Leighton’s Peckham offer to stop the legal action in replace for access to see Holly. I had to. I couldn’t afford to fight it and honestly, I want her to have more people in her life; family who love her.

He asked me to give his son a chance.

I just don’t think I’m ready to speak to Oliver, though. He could’ve warned me. He should never have allowed his father to railroad him without first speaking to me.

It doesn’t stop me from feeling miserable, not only with my mom’s illness, but at the way things ended with Oliver. I’m also feeling angry, not only at him but at myself, for letting him get so close to my heart without realizing what he was doing.

I thought he wanted us—Holly and me—and I let myself daydream that we’d be the perfect family. It hurts that he knew someone was spying on me.

I get ready to take Holly for a calming walk on the beach.

I know I’m wallowing. But I’ve showered, dressed, even if I am in a hoodie and leggings. I’ve brushed my hair, even if it is now scrunched at the top of my head in a messy bun.

I almost feel like myself again. Not quite... Just almost.

I smile as Holly runs around the beach, finding the shiniest pebbles and shells on our journey, placing them in her little blue bucket. Later, we’ll glue them onto a picture frame hanging on her bedroom wall.

After twenty minutes of walking, Holly is done with the stroll and pulls my hand to the ocean where she fills another bucket with water and we find a nice dry patch of the beach for her to make sandcastles, just like she does with my mom.

Tears sting my eyes, hugging my daughter as I sit on the beach and stare at the ocean.

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