Her Lost Teddy by Marybeth Hale (beach read .txt) 📖

nice.” Carla said as she tried to move her face to look at Harold even though her face was actually facing the wall. Harold got onto his knees taking a bag from under the sink and taking all the money he could find on the body. He stood up breathing heavily and rolled the bag up and put it in his pocket and grabbed Carla. “I know, baby. I’m sorry.” Harold said as he placed Carla into the hall. “Please be out here, baby. Daddy will be out soon.” Harold said before he walked into the room again. Carla walked to the receptionist’s desk and felt everywhere as she tried to adjust to her new life. 

“Mr. Kisses? Where are you?” Carla asked while she got on top of the receptionist’s desk while he was copying some papers. She giggled as she played with a bottle of hand sanitizer and squeezed it into his coffee. “Oh, hey little one. Here you go.” He said as he saw Carla and put her on the floor. Carla giggled as she walked around and ended up at the room while Harold poured flammable liquid all over the lifeless body. “We come to you for help. And you don’t actually help. Some doctor you are.” Harold said as he lit a match and threw it onto him. “Good bye, scumbag.” Harold said quietly before he left, grabbing Carla walking to his car. The receptionist noticed the hand sanitizer in his coffee and started to choke and slumped over dead. “Have a good day.” Harold said, waving his hand back not knowing his daughter killed the man. While he walked to the car, Harold looked back and watched as he unintentionally caused the office to explode.

“Oh crap.” He said before he quickly went to the car and immediately strapped Carla in. Carla giggled as she held the teddy bear, even though she still knew that he wasn’t Mr. Kisses. “What do you say, sweetie? Wanna go home?” Harold said as he looked at Carla. “No, we can’t. Mr Kisses is still out there.” Carla said, whining a little before Harold looked forward. “I knew that you were gonna say that. Ok, Let’s go.” Harold said before he drove away. He had hoped that he didn’t hurt Carla when he asked the question and watched her sleep after he stopped at a red light. “My sweet Princess. I hope you don’t feel anger towards me because of that question.” Harold said while he looked at his phone and then he drove to his bank. “Time to add to my account.” He said quietly smirking to himself as he held the huge amount of cash. He pulled into the parking lot and parked the car.

“Where are we, daddy?” Carla asked as she stretched and watched Harold get out of the car. “I have important stuff to do. I will be back soon, baby girl.” Harold said before giving Carla’s head a kiss. “Please take me. I don’t want to be alone.” Carla whimpered as she reached out for Harold. “No, baby. I will be quick. Don’t be afraid.” Harold said as he closed the doors and made sure that they were locked and walked into the bank. After Harold walked into the bank, Carla held onto the teddy while crying her eyes out. “I’m so sorry, my princess. I will be there soon. I surely hope so.” Harold said as he looked at his car and saw her holding the bear. He knew that Carla was crying without even having to hear her. “What’s wrong, sir?” A girl asked while holding her pregnant stomach.

Chapter 11

 

Harold rubbed the back of his head unsure what he was wanting to say. “Oh, nothing ma’am. If I may ask you, where’s the father? A young good looking woman like you needs a man to help take care of his family.” Harold said, getting embarrassed of what he was saying. The woman giggled and turned and looked at him. “You are so sweet. My ex ran off with another girl when he found out.” The woman said before Harold shook his head. “Well, would you like you and your child to join me and my daughter?” Harold asked as she looked at him shocked. 

She stayed quiet as Harold looked away, starting to regret what he asked. “I would but I don’t want to add more stress onto your life.” She said before Harold looked at her. “Oh not at all, ma’am. My daughter and I are taking a worldwide trip looking for her teddy.” Harold said before she smiled at him. “Well then, Me and my child would love to join you.” She said as Harold knew Carla was getting more upset. “Let’s go to my car. I am sure my little girl is becoming more upset.” Harold said before they both left and went to his car. “I know. I know I should get a RV.” Harold said before the girl looked at him. “I didn’t say anything about it.” She said before she got in. “Oh.” Harold said before he got in and started the car. “Well, maybe we should start getting to know each other.” The girl said before Harold smiled at her. “That’s a great idea. You ask some questions and then I do?” She asked before Harold nodded at her as Carla slept. She smiled as she felt like she belonged though she was new to their family. 

“What’s your name, cutie?” Harold asked as The girl blushed while looking at him. “Um, my name is Pearl Ware.” Pearl said as she looked around before Harold looked at her. “Do you want me to get you a phone?” Harold asked before Pearl looked at him. ”Why don’t you ask me to marry you while you're at it?” Pearl asked as they reached a red light as Harold looked at her. “I am going to. One day.” Harold said, making Pearl look at him surprised. He looked right back at her and smiled before she looked forward, staying quiet. “Did I say something offensive? If I did, I am so sorry that I did.” Harold said as he started to panic. Pearl shook her head as she looked at him. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s just that no guy has ever told me that.” Pearl explained as she put her hand before she shook her head. “But now is not the time to focus on the past. We have the present and the future to worry about.” Pearl said as Harold nodded at her. “Ok. Two more questions.” Pearl said as they both smiled at each other while Harold drove.

“Hmmm. You can slap me after I park. But how along are you?” Harold asked as he drove towards a restaurant. “Five months.” Pearl said as Harold smiled at her thankful that she didn’t slap him. “That’s amazing for you. I will be here for you.” Harold said before Pearl held his hand. “Thank you.” Pearl smiled as she looked at Harold. “No problem. I love children. You can ask me anything but first let’s go out and get something to eat.” Harold said as he got out and helped Carla and Pearl out. Even though Pearl and Harold just met, Pearl knew that she was meant to be by his side as they walked into the restaurant. “Do you have anything to ask me?” Harold asked as they walked to the table. “I do. I do.” Carla said as she raised her hand while unintentionally walking in the wrong direction. Harold shook his head and then picked Carla up as Pearl giggled. “Yes, baby girl? What’s your question?” Harold asked as they all sat at a table. Carla moved her face so that she could face and point at Pearl. “Who is that?” Carla asked as Harold looked at her shocked. Harold was amazed to know that Carla knew that Pearl was near them even though she couldn’t see. “How did you know she was there?” Harold asked before Pearl looked at him confused. “I can hear her breathing. She is exiting month five and entering her sixth month.” Carla said before Pearl gasped. “Uh, let me explain Pearl. She lost her eyesight.” Harold said before Pearl put her hand on her mouth. She didn’t know what was going on with Carla and she felt bad for her.

“I’m so sorry.” Pearl said and watched as Carla felt around and walked to her. Pearl grabbed and hugged Carla as she started to cry. “What’s wrong, Ma’am?” Carla asked as a teardrop fell onto her head. “Nothing, hun.” Pearl said as she wiped her tears away. “You can talk to us now. We are your family.” Carla said as she hugged Pearl’s pregnant stomach. Pearl nodded with more tears going down her face as Carla went back to her seat. Harold and Carla worked on ordering her meal as Pearl watched out the window rubbing her stomach. “Well, hello. I see a family that wasn’t a full family before.” The rude waitress said after they reached the table. “Hey.” Harold said as he wasn’t excited to see her. “You guys have a few minutes to leave.” She said gleefully, making Carla follow her as she left as Harold watched the waitress angrily. “Do you want me to talk to the manager?” Pearl asked before Harold shook his head smirking. “Me and Carla have our own way of dealing with people who mess with us.” Harold said, smiling. He held Pearl’s hand so that she couldn’t stop Pearl.

Chapter 12

“Mr. Kisses?” Carla said as the waitress fell into a freezer. Carla started to go into the freezer and then walked out as she felt the cold air. “It’s too cold for Mr. Kisses. He wouldn’t be in there.” She said before she closed the door causing it to lock and then tried to walk to Harold and Pearl. “Over here, Carla.” Harold said as he spotted her and smiled as she ran to them. “Is that her name?” Pearl asked, watching him pick her up. “Yeah. I named her that.” Harold said as he watched Carla settle into her chair. “That’s cute. What’s your name?” Pearl said before Harold shook his head. “I’m so sorry, my dear.” Harold said before kissing Pearl’s hand. “I am Harold Byrd. And this is my daughter, Carla Byrd.” Harold said as he looked at a menu.

Pearl smiled as she watched them. “You would like what you want?”