Claim My Baby (Crescent Cove 2)

Winning what, I wondered, but she was probably around Laurie’s age and I didn’t want to make her mom uncomfortable. I didn’t recognize her, so maybe she was new in town. Not that I knew everyone, but I knew a lot of people, especially working at the diner.

“Y-you’re welcome.” Without realizing it, I’d clamped an arm protectively over my belly.

“Are you okay?” The woman frowned, pushing back the long red hair that had escaped from her sturdy-looking hat. “You look pale.”

“Sure thing. I’m fine. Hey, look at me. Plenty of padding.” Laughing a little, I got to my feet and brushed off my snowy, wet butt. Glad I’d spent so long picking out this cute eggplant-colored velvet skirt and pairing it with my gray leggings.

Now I was a soggy mess. At least I’d done a good deed.

The little girl ran off to join her friends—or a class, I realized. There were too many kids running and laughing to be just one family’s children. I shivered. If one woman had borne all of them, God save the queen. There was another woman trying to herd them. A class monitor, maybe, or assistant.

“You’re not her mother,” I said, retaining my title as queen of the obvious.

The other woman laughed and held out a hand. “No, I’m her teacher, Kelsey Ford. I live in Turnbull right now, though I’m moving to town soon. I’m new to Crescent Cove Elementary. I took over one of the kindergarten classes.” She cast a look skyward. “Midyear replacement. Always the best.”

I pumped her hand before releasing it. “Oh wow, yes, I pick up my bestie’s daughter from half-day kindergarten sometimes, but she has Mrs. Pollock.”

“Oh, yes. Technically, they could combine the two small half-day classes, but personal attention with the teachers in our non-traditional kindergarten setting is a big selling point for the school. Goodness knows I have my hands full as is. The full-day teachers deal with much more.”

“I just bet. Nice to meet you.” I returned her smile, still clutching my wet backside with the other. Classy. “I’m Sage Evans. My family owns the bed-and—”

I stopped. Nope. That wasn’t me anymore. I knew that. So why had I slipped? It wasn’t as if I’d fallen into a time warp and the past year hadn’t happened.

“Oh, the bed-and-breakfast right up the street? That pretty purple and gray one with the huge porch?” She angled her head, her lips pursing. “Funny, I thought I saw a sign when I drove by there today. Future site of condos or something? I was so unhappy, thinking what clowns didn’t see the architectural value in—” She broke off and flushed the same color as her hair. “I’m sorry. Diarrhea of the mouth is a weakness.”

“You too? I can see we’ll be fast friends.” I laughed loudly to stop the tears already stabbing my eyes from having free rein.

Condos. How could this be happening? How could my parents have sold our home right out from underneath me to people who didn’t even care about the place and all the memories that had been made there?

That was wh

y I wouldn’t spend that money. Not for me. If I was having a baby, it would be different. I’d use the money my parents had given me to ensure his or her future. But I would never use those profits for my own gain.

“Hey, are you sure you’re all right?” Kelsey smiled at me gently. “Did I say something I shouldn’t have about the bed-and-breakfast? I’m sorry. I’m so new here. I don’t know a single soul except a few of the other teachers and Principal Gentry.”

“No, no. You didn’t do anything.” I waved off her concern. “My parents sold the bed-and-breakfast. Progress and all that. I used to work there, and now I’m a waitress.” I patted my hip. “Discounted meals, quite the bonus. Anyway, I should go.” Before I started to sob or something equally distressing. “So nice to meet you.”

“Wait, can we maybe have dinner sometime?” Kelsey flushed again. “I know, I know, I seem desperate for friends, but I guess I am. I just really don’t know anyone, like I said, and it’s Valentine’s Day and it’s totally lame to be alone.” She brightened. “Unless you’re free too tonight?”

I hated to say no. I had been in her spot. Not the new-in-town thing, but I understood the need to not spend another Valentine’s Day alone.

Except this time, I wouldn’t be. I wasn’t in a real relationship—probably not in the cards for me—but I wouldn’t be alone.

“I’m sorry, no, I have plans.”

“Oh, of course, you do. Pretty girl like you, you have to have a boyfriend.” Her eyebrows climbed. “Oh God, I didn’t mean that how it must sound. I swear, I wasn’t trying to pick you up—”

I laughed for real. This woman truly was my mouth-twin. “We are definitely destined to be friends.” I pulled out my phone from my purse and handed it to her. “Put in your number and we’ll set something up for next week. Maybe not dinner though.” Depended on if my food-poisoning-slash-baby was still a factor. “We could always do a movie.”

“Movies are good.” She typed in her number, and then I did the same when she handed me her phone. She wasn’t letting me get away.

Another way we were alike.

“So nice to meet you,” she said, backing up. “I have to get back to my class. Have a good Valentine’s Day with your boyfriend!” she called, jogging off.

And what did I do? Whip my head around to make sure we hadn’t been overheard.

God, I needed to get a grip.