Take a Breath (Take #1) - Jaimie Roberts Page 0,28

to be coming from a nearby hedge. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, and I look up. Even though it’s still light, I can’t see anything or anyone who could have made that noise. Shaking my head, I walk back into the house and head for the sofa as I continue to flick through the rest of the mail. Most of it is for Jake, of course, but I spot one with very familiar handwriting, and it stops me in my tracks. It’s my mother’s handwriting. I would recognize it anywhere. The script is very bold and distinctively large. Also, she curves her A’s in a certain way. I put the rest of the mail to the side and sit on the sofa to open the letter.

Dear Ana,

I’m sorry I left without a goodbye, but I needed to get away. You’re old enough to look after yourself now, and I’m sure you would have preferred to stay where you are. You’re settled with a good job and have your whole life ahead of you. I, as always, have gotten itchy feet, and I need to keep moving. Please tell Jake that I am sorry for everything and that I didn’t mean to hurt him. I think this is for the best. Take care, and I’ll be in touch soon.

Love, Mum

I’m quickly snapped out of the letter and back into reality by the sound of Jake coming through the door.

“Hey, Ana.”

I don’t look around. “I left some rice and chicken on the side for you to eat.”

I hear him walk past me. “Thanks. I’m really hungry.”

He disappears into the kitchen for a while, and I sit on the sofa with my head buried in my hands, which are still clutching the letter. I can’t believe my mother has truly done it again. She just took off without a goodbye—without anything—and now, three weeks later, she decides to send me this crap. How could she do this to Jake and Matthew?

After a few minutes, I feel a dip in the sofa, and I realize Jake is sitting next to me. “Ana, what’s wrong?”

I look up with tears in my eyes and can clearly see the look of worry on his face. I can’t believe my mother left him like this. He’s the kindest, most caring, and most thoughtful man I have ever met. Before I was introduced to him, I just assumed he was another loser. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. He’s nice to us, and when I learned he had a son he had brought up all on his own, my heart melted for him. Right then and there, I was smitten. I really thought my mum was going to stick around this time.

Jake points to the letter in my hand. I look at him for a moment and then at the letter. In the end, I pass it to him. He has to know. As he reads it, his expression quickly turns into a frown. He bites his lip with a sigh.

“I’m sorry, Jake. I’ve expected this from my mum in the past, but I didn’t think she would do it this time. I thought that she really loved you and would stay. I’m so sorry.”

He looks up at me, confused. “What do you mean?”

I can’t bear to keep these secrets in any longer. “She has been doing this my whole life. She moves from one man to the next, and she’s been dragging me along for the ride. You probably hate me now. I’ll find a place to stay and move out as quickly as I can. I know you can’t possibly want me around any longer—especially now that you know she’s not coming back.” I move to get up, but Jake stops me with his hand.

For a moment, he seems to be in shock, while he just looks at me. Then, seeming to snap out of it, he shakes his head. “I don’t want to hear another word about you moving out. This is your home, and I could never punish you for what your mother has done. She left the family—your family—and we must move on. I just hate the fact that she left you without at least saying goodbye. You’re her daughter, for fuck’s sake.”

My eyes widen at his sudden outburst. He spies my reaction and sucks in a breath. “Sorry. I’m just so angry. Not so much because of what’s she’s done to me, but because of what she’s