Imperfect Love (39 page)

Rodney dangled a set of keys on the end of his finger. “I’m way too organized for you Scallangers.” He shook his head in a taunting motion, earning him a slap on the chest from Jane.

“What is it with you women and slapping?” He rubbed his chest.

“Those thanks to daddy?” Holly snorted.

“Whatever. You are going to live like a queen because of my daddy.” Rodney wiggled his eyebrows.

Jane laughed. “At least your daddy pays for things like that.”

Holly rolled her eyes.

“I don’t get your father. He still wants you to pay him back?” Rodney queried.

“Every month.”

“He sucks.”

Both women laughed.

“Grandpa Charles doesn’t suck.”

“Okay, missy, he doesn’t suck
that
much,” Rodney teased again.

Jamie loved her grandfather, but then she got away with murder every other weekend when she visited him.

Holly blew out a breath and her lips quivered as she tried to push back tears.

Rodney grabbed her suitcase, and Jamie helped by taking hold of the smaller bag.

Holly picked up her handbag and slung it over her shoulder, and then tucked a pillow under her armpit for the long trip.

Both Jane and Jamie walked down to the ground floor where Rodney had parked his Toyota. It was a typical ‘doctor starting out’ type of car; it huffed and puffed when starting it, but it got you where you needed to go.

He placed Holly’s suitcase on the back seat with the rest of her stuff.

She snorted when she thought back to when she’d left Boston. The situation was practically identical, and now she was going back in a similar fashion.

Holly turned to Jamie and crouched down to her level. Her baby had tears in her eyes, so she pulled her in for a tighter than tight hug. To keep her voice from breaking, she cleared her throat. “Remember what mommy told you?”

Jamie nodded, while still in Holly’s arms.

“I’m going to miss you so much, but I promise to speak to you every day over the phone and to chase down every rainbow I can find, okay?”

Jamie smiled and every time she did so, Holly smiled back. How she was going to break the truth to her one day was a conundrum she’d have to figure out. She just hoped that when the time came, Jamie would understand why she’d lied.

“Love you, Mommy. Be good.”

Holly snorted. “You be good, and no ice cream after eight.”

“What we are going to do is none of your business,” Jane butted in.

Jamie giggled. “Yes, it’s our little secret, Nana.”

Jane covered Jamie’s mouth playfully, making everyone laugh.

“I’ll know,” Holly said, closing the door, and then rolling the window down.

“Love you, Mommy.”

“Love you more.”

“Love you more than more,” Rodney said, picking Jamie up. “I’ll see you on your birthday, okay?”

“Promise?” she asked.

“I’ll try my damn best.”

“Rodney!” both Holly and Jane yelled.

“Oops! Sorry.” He glared at Holly. “I’ll try my damn best,” he whispered in Jamie’s ear, but Holly knew exactly what he’d repeated.

She merely shook her head.

“Big kiss, and a biiiiig hug.” He made a grunting sound and Jamie flung her arms around his neck, squeezing tightly.

Jane winked at Holly.

Holly winked back. “Love you,” she mouthed.

“Love you more,” Jane answered softly.

Rodney put Jamie down and climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Drive safe and call me the second you get there.”

“We’ll do,” Holly promised.

“Last touch.” Jamie snapped her hand out, grazing Holly’s elbow just before the car pulled slowly away.

Holly tried to touch her back, but Jamie had squirmed away, giggling loudly.

“I love you, Jamie!” Holly shouted, halfway down the road.

“Love you more, Mommy.”

Holly watched her little girl until Rodney turned a corner. When the coast was clear, she finally broke down and bawled her eyes out.

                
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Isabella White lives in South Africa with her family.

She writes many genres under many aliases. Her first debut novel was written under the name of Adrienne Woods, which she uses to write her YA/fantasy series.

Imperfect Love is her first contemporary romance (new adult) work, and is part of a three novel series.

If she isn’t writing, she spends her time with her family and friends, loving life.

You can find out more about Isabella White a
t

WEBSITE: www.authoradriennewoods.com

FACEBOOK PAGE: The 4ever series

TWITTER: erichb3