Page 28 of A Package Deal

Today was the first she’d heard from Jackson since he’d driven her to the hospital. He hadn’t even called when they’d gotten her test results two days ago.

Pris had texted a few times, trying to break the ice and start what Nelie hoped might become a meaningful relationship. Nelie had responded, and they’d sent memes back and forth. Pris was trying, but Jackson was acting like a jerk.

Mrs. Hart and Suzanne had stopped into the Galley for lunch, and they’d asked her to join them, but she’d refused with a half-assed excuse. Her excuse had been so transparent Mrs. Hart had shared it with Gus, who had blown in the next day to remind Nelie she was better than that. “They’re trying, Nelie-girl. Meet them halfway.” Instead of falling in line and agreeing, she’d told him she wasn’t ready yet, and she needed more time. “I guess that’s fair,” he’d said, looking uncomfortable before giving her a hug.

Nelie feareduncomfortablewould be the norm for a while. She was a gift, not a burden. Nelie Peterson wasn’t Haven’s do-gooder good-girl anymore. She didn’t need to hustle and bend over backward to secure her place. She belonged. She was wanted. And she always had been.

Emily had also called, and Nelie had given her theI’m coping with itspiel.

Nelie huffed at her own stupidity. The only one who had made no overtures toward her was Jackson. Everyone else had made it obvious they wanted her in their lives.

“Nelie, are you okay?” Dr. Dahl asked, pointing his finger at her.

“Fine, yes, thank you. Just a lot to take in.” He nodded, and his quiet confidence reassured Nelie. She could do this.

“Well, if you have any questions, please reach out to me or my care coordinator.” They thanked him for his time and one by one Nelie watched everyone leave the virtual meeting room until it was just her, staring at the blank screen.

The girls will be heartbroken, Nelie thought, clutching the snowflake pillow to her as she curled up on her couch. Nelie had never broken a promise. And the worst part was she couldn’t explain to them why she needed to break it.Chet will be furious. My vacation is ruined. How did everything go so terribly wrong?

Nelie knew she needed to donate, and give Nate a chance at life, but did it have to be at such a high cost to her? Shouldn’t doing the right thing be easy? In a year, Jackson and Emily would have their picture-perfect family and she’d probably have nothing, not even her old life.

She took several deep breaths, hoping to ward off another crying jag. She had to hold on to her life. Surely, she could continue as if the kitchen table conversation hadn’t happened? Or maybe take the good parts and leave the rest?

Nelie was furious they’d lied to her, but she wasn’t mad she’d been adopted. That fact hadn’t changed. She’d had an incredible childhood with two loving parents. The only thing that had changed was her mindset: she was a gift, not a burden.

From what they’d said, everyone had done the best they could and what they’d thought was right. For Suzanne and her.Except for my stupid origin story. But that was on Stella, not the Harts.Oh, Mom,Nelie cried inwardly.Why did you do that?

But as confused and angry as she’d been at that table, she’d also heard regret and embarrassment in their words. Nelie didn’t want them punished now for what had happened then. Surely living with the lie all these years hadn’t been easy?

Nelie didn’t want people to know. She didn’t want the Haven grapevine feeding on the family cover-up. If they kept this information inside the family, Nelie’s life wouldn’t change, except for buying a few more Christmas presents and being the best secret aunt to Nate and any other nieces and nephews her half-siblings might have.

It would take time, but she knew Chet and the girls would forgive her for missing the spelling bee. And she’d need to come to terms with Jackson and his newfound crappy attitude. If she didn’t, someone from their friend group would catch on and want to know why.

The best course of action was to limit her time with Chet until everything calmed down. It was less than two weeks until her procedure and then a few more to recuperate, so it shouldn’t be more than three or four lonely, stressful weeks. If Chet sensed something was wrong, he’d ask questions and demand answers. Answers she couldn’t give to him. The family deserved privacy. She’d shove the beast—her heritage—into its box and exile it to the back of her brain. Once she was acting as her normal self—Nelie Peterson, owner of the Galley, who had no known family members other than her adopted dad, Gus—her life would revert to normal. It had to.

Chapter 17

Cheteagerlyopenedhisback door. He loved coming home on Mondays to Nelie and the girls. Piper was usually at the table where Nelie quizzed her on spelling words while she and Ava made something delicious for dinner. A meal on the table hadn’t been his intent when he’d concocted this plan almost two months ago. All he’d wanted was for Nelie to keep the girls safe. That’s. He’d even rearranged for the house cleaners to come on Mondays so Nelie wouldn’t clean up after them.

But on the second week, she’d taken the girls grocery shopping, and they’d cooked dinner together. Nelie had said it was fun. Who was he to complain? She was teaching his daughters a life-skill; they ate a delicious dinner together—usually with leftovers—and he had the pleasure of Nelie’s company. It was perfect. Nelie was perfect, and he missed her something fierce.

They’d talked and texted, but he hadn’t seen or held her since their lunch at his desk last week. Her staff had the flu, and she was exhausted covering for everyone.

A month ago, he would have felt guilty about the situation, but not now. It no longer felt like Nelie was covering for him on Monday and Thursday afternoons with the girls. Their time together had grown into something more than babysitting.

Chet hoped the bottle of Sauvignon Blanc he’d picked up on his way home went with whatever they’d cooked. Nelie needed a break, and he intended to wait on her hand and foot this evening.

His nose twitched as he walked into the kitchen, but he didn’t smell anything. The oven light was on, so maybe she’d just put it in there? His stomach growled at the thought of waiting, but it would give them more time together. Nelie smiled at him over her shoulder, saying, “Hi.” Chet didn’t like the dark circles under her eyes.

“Hi, yourself, stranger.” He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her cheek at the last minute. Instead of questioning her sudden shyness—they’d lightly kissed in front of the girls before—he asked where the girls were.

“They just finished—”

“Daddy!” Piper flew into the room and slammed into him.

“Oof,” Chet said, as if a linebacker had tackled him. Ava trailed behind her, rolling her eyes.

“How was school?”

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