Ex-Convict Nanny and Billionaire Single Dad novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: The Boathouse

The church office still had the same brown carpet and the same smell of burnt coffee.

On Tuesday morning two women from the altar guild were at it, folding Easter bulletins.

My mother sat at her desk behind the counter with her reading glasses on.

She looked up when the bell rang over the door.

"Holly," she said warmly, for the altar guild. "What a surprise. Ladies, this is my older daughter."

The two women looked at me.

"I never called you," I said.

My mother took off her glasses and folded them.

"I'm sorry?"

"I didn't hear your voice that whole day until you walked into the hospital at six. Check your phone bill. Check mine."

"Honey, you were very confused that day. You'd been drinking."

"I had not been drinking."

My mother smiled at her, a sad, patient smile.

"Would you two give us a minute? Take your coffee to the fellowship hall."

They went, fast, with their bulletins.

My mother stood and came around the counter.

"Lower your voice," she said. "This is my church."

"It was mine too. You took it on television."

"I said what had to be said." Her face was smooth and calm. "You want to know why? Because your sister lost her boyfriend on Saturday. Because of you. Because you can't stay in your lane."

"You survived prison. You were always the strong one. Strong ones carry things." She touched my cheek with two cold fingers. "Shelby isn't built for it."

I stepped back from her hand.

"Then I'll tell him," I said. "I'll tell everyone."

"Tell them what? That you lied under oath?" She tilted her head. "You pleaded guilty, Holly. You told the police you fell asleep. You told the judge you were sorry. Every word of that is on paper."

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