First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

to pee again too. She got herself upright and took care of the carrots and dip before leaving the kitchen.

“Oh, good, there you are,” Robert caught her in the hall. He stood blocking the bathroom. “You’re coming too, right?”

Leah hadn’t realized she was invited. Now standing, the urgency on her bladder was worse. It made thinking hard.

“Sure,” she agreed quickly so she could be on her way.

“Excellent!” Robert kissed her cheek and dashed off.

Several hours later, Leah realized she should have recognized the trap. The dinner turned out to be a surprise baby shower and it was perfect. It was at a restaurant, so dinner was still the main theme and it was not a scary room full of ladies staring at her. There were couples and families, people from work, old friends, and a few of Robert’s family members. A happy, eclectic mix. Lily had nailed it.

The dinner party was all about her and yet it wasn’t. Leah was able to relax, enjoy herself, and have fun. The gift-giving was surprisingly minimal. Because of the venue, Lily had suggested that people consider group gifts or gift cards. It worked out great. Leah only had a few items to open and she didn’t feel on display. Better yet, no party games!

Once they were home again, Robert carried in the car seat/stroller combo she’d received. Her nieces helped by carrying in the only other gifts she’d had to open. Emmie hugged a stuffed elephant, obviously reluctant to give it up, and Allison hefted a large box of diapers.

Leah didn’t have to lift a finger. Lily had over a dozen cards tucked away in her purse for her to open later. Leah suspected they were filled with cash or gift cards. Despite her curiosity, the cards would have to wait for tomorrow. She was too exhausted to go through them tonight.

Chapter 39

Saturday morning, Leah sat in the living room with her stack of cards from the night before. Most held gift cards and a few held receipts of items purchased off her registry that were being shipped to her.

Lily was with her, taking notes of who gave what so Leah could write thank-you notes later. Together, they cross-referenced her baby registry to make a shopping plan for the gift cards. It looked like they would be able to get almost everything that remained on the list. The only item she would need to purchase herself was a crib. Leah could not believe how blessed she was.

“So,” Lily asked excitedly, “shopping?”

Leah stalled, not answering. It was Saturday, the sun was shining, and she wanted to go to the park. She wanted to see Liam and Sky. Leah missed them. She kept waiting for more dreams, but there weren’t any. Last night would have been Sky’s dance and Leah was hoping to hear how it went.

“But . . . it’s Saturday,” she said and immediately felt stupid for stating the obvious.

“Yeah, I know.” Lily looked at her with a bit of concern. “That’s why we can go shopping.”

“Can we go tomorrow instead?”

“Sure . . .” but Lily did not sound convinced.

Luckily, Emmie entered the living room providing a distraction. The little girl crawled up on the couch and snuggled in between the sisters. She looked up at Leah expectantly.

“It’s Saturday,” Emmie said.

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Lily asked, her voice hinting at annoyance.

“Saying what?” Allison joined them now too.

“That it’s Saturday, like I don’t know it. I know what day it is. I’m old but I’m not stupid.”

“You’re not old!” the girls giggled.

“Gee, thanks, but is someone gonna let me in on the secret?” Lily said.

Emmie turned her face up to Leah.

Leah could not get over how perceptive her niece seemed to be. She did indeed have a secret, but Leah had no intention of revealing that one today. Leah tapped Emmie on the nose and smiled.

“Mom, it’s Saturday,” Allison joined in. “Aunt Leah takes us to the park on Saturdays. It’s like our thing!”

“Can we go?” Emmie asked. She looked back and forth between the two adults before settling her gaze steady on her aunt. “I think Mom should come this time too.”

The seriousness on her little face caught Leah off guard.

Lily was so thrilled to be included, she missed the exchange. She rushed around grabbing snacks and drinks.

Leah sat, still unnerved by her niece. All of a sudden, she wasn’t as excited to go as before. Finally, she shook it off and got herself ready.

After being at the park for only a half hour, Leah was already on her bench. She watched as Lily followed the girls from the slide, to the swings, and other various pieces of playground equipment, doing all the things Leah’s pregnant body could no longer do. She did not mind too much; it felt amazing to just sit in the sunshine and enjoy the fresh air.

Since she didn’t have to focus on her nieces, Leah’s gaze kept wandering to the parking lot. She saw the black car drive through twice, then park, but the driver did not get out. The behavior appeared so odd, Leah was glad Lily was here with the girls. Even then, she didn’t feel completely settled because she still had not seen Sky or Liam. The car and its mystery occupant distracted her so much she missed Liam’s approach.

“Miss Leah?” Liam appeared out of nowhere.

She gave him a big smile, truly happy to see him. But the little boy seemed unsure. Leah’s smile began to slip until she remembered her hair cut.

“Hi, Liam! Do you like my haircut?” She put a hand to her hair self consciously.

Liam looked her over and nodded, but Leah could tell something was still bothering him.

“You okay?” She wanted to take him into her arms. Instead, she patted the bench and he hopped up. She watched him kick his legs, work boots flying. Finally, he stilled and spoke.

“I don’t understand how they work,” Liam looked up at her. His brown eyes were full of