Page 39 of Second Chance At Love

Anxiety churned in her stomach. Her inward thoughts were interrupted as Oliver gave her a hug.

“It’s okay mom,” he murmured against her, sensing she was stressed. Cora returned the hug, grateful for him.

“Mom!” Caiden came up to the group in a rush with his friend Cece in tow. “We have a question.”

Technically only Bentley and Jackson were Kelly’s sons. Caiden and Avery were her stepsons but they called her mom and Bently called Dillon dad.

“Could I come over for Easter weekend?” asked Cece.

“You know you are allowed to come over whenever you want, but don’t your parents want to spend time with you over the holiday?” frowned Kelly.

“Dad will be working. He always works and Mom has some charity thing,” Cece rushed to say. “Please can I come? You would be saving me from having to go to the charity event and wear heels and a dress. Pretty please? I can help in the kitchen.”

“It’s only one more person,” added Caiden. “I can help with dishes and stuff too.”

Kelly shrugged. “Okay, as long as your parents are good with it.”

“Yes!” grinned Cece. She gave Caiden a high five. “I better get going. The housekeeper is here to pick me up.”

Kelly gave Caiden the keys and the boys hurried out to the vehicle to wait for her as she and Cora walked along. Oliver and Nick joined Kelly’s kids, chatting while they waited for them.

“I worry about Cece a little,” admitted Kelly. “I haven’t met her parents yet and she’s constantly at our house. Not once has Caiden gone to her place.”

“Maybe she just likes your family. She’s an only child, right?” asked Cora. “I remember always wanting to go to my friends' houses to play with their brothers and sisters as well. My house was boring compared because it was just me andmy parents.”

“Maybe that’s it,” shrugged Kelly. “Can I come by later? I can check on Henry while I’m there.”

Kelly was a nurse and often was available to help with family health issues.

“Henry seems to be doing okay with his appointments, but if you could give me your opinion and how I can better help him, I would appreciate it,” confessed Cora.

“We can text each other to set up a time,” agreed Kelly. She looked at Cora in concern. “And don’t mind what Susan said. Everyone at Livingston Academy knows she’s a grasping harpy. No one is going to believe her.”

Cora had an uncomfortable nod. In the distance she could see Susan chatting with a group of other women. The entire group looked Cora’s way and she had the sinking feeling Susan was helping the gossip make the rounds.

Collecting Oliver and Nick, they drove home with Oliver chatting blithely about his day as Nick stayed silent, looking out the window. At the house, Nick went straight upstairs.

“What’s up with him?” asked a curious Henry from the sofa as Oliver petted Daisy.

“I’m going to take Daisy for a quick walk,” said Oliver as he found Daisy’s leash.

“Don’t be too long. Dinner will be ready soon,” replied Cora as she checked on Adam who was still sleeping peacefully.

Henry sat up and yawned as Oliver took Daisy outside. “See, everything was fine. You were even gone longer than the normal ten minutes and we both survived.”

Everything was not fine, reflected Cora. There may have been some small truth to what Susan Hythe had said. While they weren’t in a relationship, Cora was moving on from Nate. Technically, she had moved on years ago, she just hadn’t had the courage to physically leave.

“So, what happened with Nick?” frowned Henry.

“I think he had a bad day at school,” evaded Cora. “Perhaps we should just let him be for now.”

She turned, heading to the kitchen to check tonight’s dinner. She wasn’t ready to confront her feelings for Henry or to talk to Nick to find out how he felt about the rumors swirling around. Cora knew she would have to talk with Nick soon, but she just wasn’t ready when she didn’t know her own heart.

Chapter Thirteen

Henry was seated at Jake’s kitchen table in his condo. Sterling, Bree, Everett, Addison, Lincoln, Ben, Parker, and Temple were also there. Everyone had been doing some investigating into the strange things that had been happening with the Ramesly family.

They were laying out all the information they had, which was very little, in Henry’s opinion.