Susannah blew air out of her lips and shook her head. “No, I was joking. It’s a small mountain town hundreds of miles from any city. The only people we will get in over the next two hours are utility workers and Bob.”
“Who’s Bob?”
“Marika’s dad. He started the coffee shop back when Marika was born. Sometimes he comes in real early, like when he worked here. Along with his dog, Bernard. He’s a sweetie.”
I was wiping down the counters to make sure they were clean for when customers arrived when I heard the bell by the door.
A customer came inside. I looked up, expecting to see a worker or an old man with a dog, but it was my brother.
“Eric? What are you doing up this early?” My brother was never an early bird. Something had to be very wrong.
“I need to ask you something.”
“Okay. You couldn’t have texted me?”
When Eric had first found me, we exchanged numbers. I thought it best, instead of telling him where I lived for fear he’d randomly show up.
“It’s about Jenner.”
I put down the rag and came out from behind the counter. “What’s wrong?”
Blood rushed through my veins as I feared the worst. He ran. Jenner changed his mind about Jenni or about me.
I twisted the bracelet on my wrist as I watched my brother hop from foot to foot, which was something he only did when he was nervous or excited. And right now, he didn’t appear excited.
Just when I thought I had the little family of my dreams, Jenner bolted. I may have made a mistake the first time when I got pregnant and ran instead of talking to him, but I apologized and owned up to that mistake.
Jenner knew better. He knew the damage running from someone you cared about did to a person. Yet, still, he left.
“Have you seen him?” My brother glanced around the coffee shop.
“We just opened, Eric. He wouldn’t be in here.” I let out a deep breath, bracing for the worst. “Has he disappeared?”
He groaned and sat in a chair at one of the small square tables. My eyes burned. I tried to swallow back a whimper so my brother wouldn’t see me cry, but I wasn’t strong enough.
A tear fell.
“What’s wrong, Lola?” Eric’s wide eyes quickly filled with anger as he hopped to his feet and grabbed my arms. “Did Jenner hurt you?”
“If you can’t find him, then that means he ran...” My voice wobbled. “I should have never let him meet Jenni.”
“Who’s Jenni?”
My hand flew to my mouth as Eric stepped back, letting me go.
Oh no. I meant to keep Jenni a secret. Jenner and I were going to tell him together. If Eric became angry, Jenner had promised to take the heat.He promised to protect us...
But he was gone, so I needed to step up. I’d protect Jenni like a mom should.
“I have a daughter. Her name is Jenni.”
Hurt and confusion contorted Eric’s face as he rubbed his neck and shook his head. “But I would have known that.”
“How could you have known that? I kept this a secret from you and Jenner. The only way you would have known is when I told Jenner a few days ago.”
“But I knew you were here six months ago. Why didn’t my investigator mention a baby?”
My brows shot up. “You hunted me down?”