Page 34 of This Heart
“I will.” He looked down at Winnie and then back at me. “Thank you, Aurora, for your help with the whole nanny thing.”
“Of course.”
He stared at me momentarily as if he wanted to say something else but wasn’t sure what to say. His eyes almost looked like he was longing for something. Or someone. For the briefest of moments, I wanted that someone to be me, but pushed that away when I realized that what I was seeing in his eyes was solely for his longing over his old life with Hope. Not me. And why on Earth would I think it would be for me? I was going to have to think this whole thing over when I was alone. Liam’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“What time will you be over tomorrow?”
“If you don’t mind, I’d love to spend time with Winnie before she goes to bed.”
A wide grin appeared on his face. “She’d love that. Come on by whenever, we’ll be home.”
Leaning down, I hugged and kissed Winnie. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Kay! Wuv you, Rora!”
“I love you too, princess.”
When I stood back up, Liam gave a quick nod. “See you tomorrow.”
Before I could say anything, he turned and practically ran to the door, dragging Winnie with him.
“See ya later,” I said softly as I placed my hand over my chest. I couldn’t catch my breath.
“What’s the matter?” Lou asked.
My head jerked up to look at her. “Nothing, why?”
Her arms folded over her chest, and one brow slowly rose. I had no idea how she did that, but it reminded me of our mother when she was trying to flesh out information from one of us.
“I know you well enough to know when something is bothering you, Aurora.”
I chewed on my lip as I glanced around to ensure no one else was in the bookstore. Focusing back on my sister, I told her all about Kim Thompson and her sudden reappearance in Liam’s life.
“You don’t trust her?”
Shrugging, I replied, “I don’t know her. Harper said she had a weird feeling about her, and I have to say, I do as well. The fact that Liam just instantly hired her I guess is throwing me off. He accused me of trying to take Hope’s place because of her insecurities about me, and I was her friend. Does he somehow think Hope would like an ex-girlfriend watching their daughter?”
“Maybe you should talk to Jake and Opal about it?”
“And say what exactly? I don’t like that Liam hired an ex to watch Winnie. That only makes me sound like a jealous loon.”
“Are you? Jealous, I mean?”
My mouth fell open. “No! I’m not jealous at all. Liam is a friend, I’ve never thought of him as anything other than that.”
“Okay. Then what does Mom always tell us? Pay attention to your instincts. If they’re telling you something, listen.”
I exhaled. “I don’t know what to think, to be honest with you. I think Liam panicked when he realized he needed to figure something out and went with a safe option.”
“But you don’t think she’s safe?”
With a slow shake of my head, I exhaled. “I don’t think she would ever hurt Winnie if that’s what you mean. The way she looked at Liam though. And the fact that he didn’t know she was on the schedule because she was added last minute, that feels more off than anything.”
My sister shrugged. “The only thing you can do is trust Liam’s instincts on this one if you don’t feel comfortable telling him how you feel.”
“You’re right,” I said with a nod. The bell above the door alerted us to customers. Turning on my heel, I went over to greet them, letting Liam and his new nanny completely slip free of my thoughts.
For now, at least.
