Can't Help Falling in Love - Samantha Chase Page 0,1
the right time to say anything.
Or change her mind.
“What if they all find alternative childcare while you’re on maternity leave and don’t come back?”
Shrugging again, Katie replied, “It’s a possibility, but I’m not overly worried. I don’t really need to work right now; I just happen to enjoy it. You know I went to school for early childhood education and always dreamed of working for a preschool. This was a great way to help Kira socialize and to meet some new friends without overly stressing myself.”
“Still, I’m sure it hasn’t been easy while you’re pregnant.”
“Actually, it’s been a wonderful distraction. I miss Brian so much and I think it would be so much harder for me to cope if I didn’t keep busy.” With a smile, she reached for Violet’s hand and squeezed it. “And now you’re here and everything is going to be even better!”
With a smile of her own, Violet knew there wasn’t anything in the world she wouldn’t do for Katie. They were more than best friends, they were sisters. They had met thanks to the foster care system–both of them had been placed with the Michaels family. Violet had been twelve, Katie was thirteen. A bond had been formed from the moment they met and had yet to be broken.
Getting placed in foster care had been devastating.
Meeting Katie had pretty much saved her life.
The sound of Katie hissing as her hands flew to her belly snapped Violet out of her reverie. “Are you okay?” she asked, mildly panicked.
“Yeah…just…give me a minute.”
There were a dozen questions on the tip of her tongue, but as she watched her friend silently count backward from ten, Violet knew the best thing she could do was stay quiet.
Finally, Katie’s eyes opened, and she smiled. “That’s the third time it’s happened today.”
“The third time what’s happened?”
“Contraction. It’s no big deal.”
“Are you sure? Should we call someone? Where’s your doctor’s number? I should have that, right?” Frantically, Violet looked around and wondered just what she was supposed to do when Katie went into labor.
“Okay, first of all, relax. I’ve got another six weeks to go, so there’s nothing to worry about. There’s a paper on the front of the refrigerator with all the important phone numbers on it. I had to put it up there when Brian’s mom moved here to try to help.”
“When did she move here? You didn’t mention it before.”
Sighing wearily, Katie rubbed her belly again. “Yeah, um…sorry.”
It seemed like an odd statement to make, but Violet figured there was a good reason.
“Two weeks ago, Rose just…showed up on the doorstep. There was a suitcase in her hand and a U-Haul in the driveway.”
“No!”
Nodding, Katie continued. “Oh, yeah. She said she knew I’d tell her not to come, and Brian had already told her not to, but she claimed she just knew she was needed here.”
“Wow.”
“I know.”
“So…where is she?”
“Luckily, I was able to convince her to find a place of her own.” Pausing, she rolled her eyes. “It was exhausting.”
“I don’t know. It sounds sweet. Like she’s doing the mom thing and coming to take care of you.”
Shifting, Katie leaned forward slightly. “Normally, I would agree. When Kira was born, Rose came and stayed with us for a month. It was awkward and uncomfortable and…I don’t know. I kind of resented her hovering and not giving me and Brian time to bond as a family.”
“Katie…she’s Brian’s mother and Kira’s her grandchild. Maybe she just…”
“Oh, I didn’t resent her coming and wanting to visit, I resented her staying in our home for a month–five weeks actually–and…” She groaned. “I know I sound super ungrateful…”
“Just a little.”
“Look, you know me better than anyone, Vi. My mom was a drug addict, and that’s how I ended up in foster care. I always dreamed of having kids of my own and loving them the way I always wanted to be loved.” She sighed. “It was hard to settle in and do all the things I wanted to with someone looking over my shoulder.”
“Okay, I get it.” She squeezed Katie’s hand. “You just need some boundaries.”
“Exactly.”
“Then that’s what we’ll have. You just tell me what it is you want, and I’ll make sure it happens.”
“She’s really not so bad.”
Violet nodded.
“And she did quit her job, sell her house, and move here to be closer to us.”
Another nod.
“Just promise me something.”
“Anything.”
“You’ll help me encourage her to start making friends of her own and going out and socializing.”
“Sure! Maybe I’ll tell her about the single seniors' cruise