Millie's Second Chance (The Town of Pearl 4)

“What?” Stacy and Anna asked simultaneously.

“Stewart’s doing.”

“What a loser!” Stacy stated with a scowl on her face and Millie smirked then chuckled.

“He is a loser. I guess I really know how to pick them.”

Anna reached over and touched Millie’s knee. “Not all men are like Frank and Stew. I can’t believe that Stew would stoop that low.”

“Well, he did and a few minutes after that phone call I received one from Frank. That was intense.”

“He said some bad things, huh?” Stacy asked and all Millie could do was nod and then rub a hand over her mouth as she took a deep breath then released it unsteadily.

“I had no choice but to leave New York. He said he was coming to get me. So I took the time to grab some things and pack, then called you and headed here.”

“Is this detective going to stay in contact with you and investigate where Frank is and if in fact he’s out of prison?” Ben asked.

“He called before I boarded the plane to tell me that Frank was definitely released early on good behavior and that the parole office said Frank declined the recommendation of heading toward a shelter because he had a place to stay. I think he meant my apartment.” Millie took a deep breath.

Anna squeezed her hand. “We’ll protect you here, Millie. You can stay here for as long as you need to.”

“I don’t know what I’m going to do. Things were getting crappy back in New York anyway,” she admitted as she looked at her clasped hands.

“Honey, what else was going on?” Wyatt asked her. She swallowed hard and she hoped that Wyatt and the others knew it was difficult for her to talk. Maybe it was best that she talked with Anna and Stacy first. Not that she was uncomfortable in front of their men, but she was embarrassed by her stupid decisions. Things could have been worse.

“I’m going to stay in touch with Detective Flynn. I know you trust him and he seems like he’s concerned over your well-being,” Wyatt quickly added.

“Yes. I trust him. When Stacy stopped Frank from killing me, Detective Flynn followed minutes later. He did everything he could to get Frank the maximum sentence. That’s why it’s so surprising that he’s out in under two years’ time.”

“We’ll check it out and keep on top of things. You be sure to let us know if Frank tries to contact you,” Ben added.

“I will, guys, and thank you for everything.”

“Hey, that’s what family is for,” Stacy added, and Millie smiled.

* * * *

Stacy stood by the counter in the kitchen making a pot of coffee. Anna sat in a chair at the table while Millie held baby Hope in her arms.

“I think she’s out cold, Stacy,” Millie whispered as she smiled down at Hope.

“She is such a good baby. She hardly ever fusses.” Stacy turned the coffeepot on and walked over toward Millie.

“I’m going to go put her in the crib for the night.”

Millie lifted Hope up toward her mother and smiled as the tears reached her eyes.

“She’s beautiful, Stacy. I can’t believe you’re a mamma.”

“Who would have thought that Stacy would be the first one out of the three of us to start a family?” Anna asked.

“She seems to be doing all the firsts, doesn’t she?” Millie whispered then smiled.

“You mean the ménage relationships?” Anna asked and Millie nodded.

Anna stared at Millie a moment and she saw the emotion in her eyes.

“Tell me what happened the other night, before the call from Frank.”