“So much for trick-or-treating.” I’d have to settle for a stop at the hotel, where Eloise had a bowl of candy. Then we’d go home.
I just wanted to be home.
With Drake’s seat latched, I slid behind the wheel and brushed away the unshed tears. Then I squared my shoulders and drove to The Eloise, parking beside Knox’s truck in the alley.
I ducked my head as I walked inside so the flakes wouldn’t fly in my face. The blanket I’d put over Drake kept him dry
until I made it to the break room, where I went about changing my son into his actual Halloween costume.
The pumpkin suit was stuffed in the trash.
It would be easier if Jill didn’t like Drake. So much easier.
What kind of mother wanted her son’s caregiver to dislike him? A jealous one.
“Why am I such a mess?”
Drake stared at me but didn’t give me an answer. He’d stopped crying on the drive over.
I had to get over this issue with Jill. This had to end.
She bugged me. God, she bugged me. It was her attitude toward me that rubbed raw. But I didn’t have a lot of options.
There weren’t other daycare centers with infant openings.
I’d called every single one last week. And it wasn’t like I could talk to the owner. What would I even say? Tell your niece to stop loving my child so much?
Jill spoiled him. So what? I could not. That was my sad reality. I couldn’t afford an expensive costume or to stay home with him all day, carting him around on a hip. Somehow, I had to get rid of this gnawing envy and just let her favor my son.
And I’d settle for the moments that were mine. Like tonight.
I tugged the hat I’d made over Drake’s hair and blew a raspberry on his neck, earning a smile. “I’m not so bad, am I?”
He kicked his legs, squirming to be picked up.
I lifted him into my arms and kissed his soft cheek.
“You’re a cuter lamb than you are a pumpkin.”
I’d taken a white onesie and glued cotton balls all over it, then done the same with a white cap. Then I’d pulled the onesie over a long-sleeved black shirt and matching pants.
With a pair of black felt ears, he was a little fluffy lamb.
The majority of the trick-or-treating would happen in the local neighborhoods tonight, but Eloise had made sure that any kids who stopped by here wouldn’t leave empty-handed. She’d splurged on king-sized Reese’s Cups, Butterfingers and Twix.
I expected the leftovers would be in the break room tomorrow morning. Hopefully I could snag a Snickers for breakfast.
With his car seat stowed in the corner of the room, I carried Drake to the lobby, where a cluster of people were gathered around the candy bowl.
“Memphis.” Eloise waved me over to the huddle. She was wearing a black witch’s hat and held the broomstick she’d been toting all day.
“Hey, Memphis.” Winslow stood beside a handsome man who looked a lot like Knox—which was why I thought he was handsome.
“Hi, Winn.” I’d seen her a few times at the hotel when she’d come down with her grandfather for lunch. As the chief of police, she usually wore her badge and gun. Tonight, a baby boy about Drake’s age, dressed as a lion, was propped on her hip instead.
“I’m Griffin Eden.” His blue eyes crinkled at the sides as he held out his hand. Though he had the same height and build as his brother, Griffin lacked the tattoos and bearded jaw.
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Griffin was one of the last Eden siblings I had yet to meet.
Lyla visited the hotel often, usually bringing along a tray of her pastries from Eden Coffee. Mateo, the youngest, worked as a front desk clerk. The days when he was around I’d walk through the lobby and usually see at least one woman flirting with him at the counter. It was always a different girl.
Now the only sibling I had yet to meet was Lyla’s twin, Talia. She was a doctor at the hospital and I’d meet her at Drake’s four-month checkup next week. When I’d called to make my appointment, they’d told me I’d be seeing Dr. Eden.
In my short time in town, I’d learned that the Edens were practically famous. An Eden had founded Quincy and their family had lived here for generations. Their ranch was one of the largest in the state and they had their fair share of businesses in the area, in addition to the hotel.
Apparently the Edens were a big deal in Quincy.
In New York, a family of prestige would have flaunted it.
The Wards certainly did. But every Eden I’d met seemed so humble. So real. Like Knox.