Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 Patrice Lewis (i read book txt) 📖

“That’s what my folks have always been called by the grands. Sam decided on Paw since they already call Maverick Grandpa. And I’m Nana.”

“We went from having one grandpa to four new grandparents in two days.” Madison skipped beside them.

“I bet not many kids do that.” Stacia’s enthusiasm was finally unforced.

“We grocery shopped on the way home, so you get to relax tonight. I’m cooking.” Karen let go of Stacia’s arm and hugged her. “I better get started.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“No. But I want to. It’s the least we can do since we showed up and rocked your world out of the blue.” Karen hurried toward the house.

“Nanny has the coolest store,” Mason piped up. “Kind of like ours, but different.”

“I’ve been there. It is cool.”

“You know Nanny?” Madison frowned.

“I do. I’ve shopped in her store. But I didn’t know she was y’alls nanny until recently.”

“Uncle Ross talked about you a lot.” Mason rolled his eyes.

Stacia’s breath stilled. “He did?”

“I think he’s sweet on you.” Madison giggled. “He said he missed you because he’s used to spending the day with you in the store.”

Her heart fluttered at that. “I think he was probably just being nice.”

“I don’t think so.” Madison shook her head. “Wouldn’t it be cool if you and Uncle Ross got married?”

“Yuck.” Mason gagged. “Mushy stuff.”

“Don’t worry.” She tousled his hair as they climbed the porch steps. “There won’t be any mushy stuff between me and your uncle.”

“I’m gonna go help Nana with supper.” Madison darted inside.

“I’ll go see what the menfolk are doing.” Mason sounded so grown-up as he followed.

Stacia’s knees were suddenly weak and she sank to the porch swing. Had she misjudged Ross? He knew she couldn’t have kids, yet he’d claimed to have feelings for her. But he’d told Madison he hoped to marry and have kids someday.

Even if the feelings he’d professed for her were real, she could never take the chance of getting pregnant. She knew what it was like to lose a mother. And a sister. She could never risk leaving behind motherless children.

Could his feelings really be as genuine as hers? Why would he be willing to give up the possibility of biological children for a future with her?

She hurried inside, bolted up the stairs for her room.

But Daddy met her in the hallway. He held an envelope toward her. “You need to read this.”

Foreboding crept a chill down her spine. “What is it?”

“A letter. From Aunt Eleanor. I should have given it to you back when I first got it.”

“When was that?” Her voice quivered.

“After Callista died. She sent me one too. Took me about a year to read it. I read yours as well, to help me decide if you needed to. They’re both quite enlightening, but I knew it would stir bad memories and I was afraid it might bring back the nightmares you used to have. So I held on to it.”

“Until now?” She swallowed hard.

“I think it might help you. To move on.”

Aunt Eleanor’s actions had colored her life, her perception of other people. Her perception of Ross. Her perception of God. Daddy was right. She was stuck.

Her hand shook as she took it from him.

“Want me to stick around while you read it?”

“No.” She darted for her room, shut the door. On wobbly legs, she leaned against it, sank to the floor. The envelope sliced into her trembling finger as she fished the letter out and unfolded it.

Dear Stacia,

You’re an adult now and I hope you’ll accept my heartfelt apology.

If only I hadn’t made such a mess of things. Instead of having a relationship with my nieces, I ended up hiding behind a tree at Callista’s funeral. I loved her.

And you.

Please keep reading as I try to explain. Right after your mom died and they found the hereditary heart condition, I was mourning my sister and worried about my own health since all of the women in our family died young, but no one ever figured out why. Until your mom.

So I went to see my doctor and learned I have the defect. He told me not to have children. I was distraught, so of course I shared the news with my fiancé.

Since he wanted kids, it was a deal breaker for him.

For the first time, Stacia felt empathy for her aunt. Mourning over her sister, and then the man she planned to spend the rest of her life with dumped her. What a jerk. Even though Stacia hadn’t been in love with Adrian, and he hadn’t known about her medical condition, him rejecting the twins had hurt. She kept reading.

I knew your father needed help with you girls and I wanted to get away from my situation, so I came to live with y’all. It was all innocent to begin with. But as time passed, I got it in my head that things would be easier on your dad if I took you girls off his hands. And that if I had two girls to raise, Thad would come back to me and marry me.

It all made so much more sense now. Still twisted, but the story helped her understand her aunt’s state of mind back then.

I’m not a bad person. I’m really not. But I’ve been punished more than any prison term could have done. I could have adopted children, gotten on with my life. Instead I wasted my heart on a man who was unworthy of me—I never married and spent most of my life alone. If only I’d realized Thad was a clod sooner, I could have had a relationship with my nieces and my great-niece and -nephew.

Of course I saw them at the funeral. I assume they’re Callista’s and was hoping I might come see y’all one day. Just promise me, you’ll pray about forgiving me. About restoring our relationship. I really do love you, Stacia. And I’m truly sorry. Your loving,

Aunt Eleanor

Stacia pressed the letter against her heart. It brought back all the memories she’d tried