in, eager to open the packages.
Nick said, “Girls, can you help me take the packages to your bedroom? Your mom is a little tired and needs to rest a few minutes.”
Missy and Steffi agreed at once and began gathering packages to take to their bedroom. Annie first went to Jennifer and touched her on her hand, looking at her with big eyes.
“I’m fine, sweetheart,” Jennifer said, hugging the little girl. “I just need a few minutes, okay?”
Annie nodded and picked up the leftover packages and silently followed her sisters.
On the way to the girls’ room, Nick gave Jennifer a warm, bolstering smile over his shoulder. That was when he noticed the tears glistening in her eyes.
BY EARLY EVENING, JENNIFER had pulled herself together and prepared dinner for her family. When she called the girls in to set the table, Missy asked, “Where’s Nick?”
“I’m sure he’s at home. He’s not part of our family, Missy. You know that.”
“But Nick is our daddy! He should be here for supper!” the child said firmly.
“I’ve told you before, Missy, he’s not your daddy. He’s our neighbor, that’s all.” And, she reminded herself, that was all he’d ever be. “Now, help your sisters set the table.”
When the phone rang, Jennifer grabbed the kitchen extension, which had a long cord so she could finish fixing dinner while she talked.
“Jennifer?” said a wavery voice she recognized at once.
“Grace, how are you?”
“I’m fine, but I need to pay my rent.”
“Uh, Grace, aren’t you at the assisted-living facility?”
“Yes, but it’s not as nice as my apartment.”
“But do you think you’ll be able to return to your apartment?” Jennifer asked, confused.
“Oh, yes.”
“Have you told your nephew that?” Jennifer asked. Grace Windomere had been a good friend of her grandmother’s, which was how she’d gotten the apartment.
“Why would I?”
“If you’re subletting the apartment to your nephew, you’ll need to tell him.”
“What nephew?”
Jennifer froze. Then she said, “Your nephew, Nick Barry. He said you sublet your apartment to him.”
“I don’t think I have a nephew.”
“Grace, are you sure?”
“Well, I should know.”
“Yes, you should,” Jennifer said, her mind racing. She found it hard to believe that Nick was a brazen liar. But it appeared he was.
Suddenly her breath caught and a wave of cold chilled her body. She’d left her children with the man. Whoever he was. She’d trusted him!
Putting the food on the table, she helped each child serve herself.
“Now, girls, I need to go say something to Nick. You stay here and eat your dinner. I’ll be right back. Okay? Steffi is in charge. You do what she says.”
With a backward glance, Jennifer hurried out of her apartment and banged on the door across the hall.
When Nick opened the door, she glared at him.
“Grace Windomere doesn’t have a nephew!”
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