in

living room as if I h

he next box of decorations. Tinsel burst fro

her fingers and I looked up at her. Sh

led at her and tied my hair up into a messy bun. It was always in my face. I n

eyes. "You ne

good, tho

ther is with leftovers. I n

er and I would benefit from Dad's pickiness. Though I had an idea she made tw

was a scrawny kid, but he could eat more

ing that for d

his little

gry, you can have

in the air and hopped over the or

aughed and resumed his

The kid was like a sponge and repeated everything he heard. I didn't need

e ornaments, a large red and green

I'm going to check on it Monday." Nerves raced through the center of

in May so don't worry if

nine. And for six months I'd been working my ass off to find a good job. "I'm not

ed here," Mom said. "For as long

Tanner while I was at school and offering this apa

t need the money, and I'm happy to have my daughter and grandson s

ed and having a child, my life would be complete. A cheating husband put a wrench in that. And since I didn'

nd none of this would have happened if

" I w

hands defensive

know what his dad did to us. Even if Killian was a shitty husband, he was good with Tanner. At

tate mogul. I could get some experience while building relationships with clients. I

fine. You were always

'm not so good abo

going to wea

ce at a department store a year ago. It was a little big in

both hands on her thin waist. "You'r

om

to find something more professional." She loo

No, you've

early Christmas p

arity. I'm so much in deb

n you the money and you rep

," I said, not

" she said as if

self. I hadn't been in quite some time, and I

ld it in front of her. "Now about you

abou

erview, I think you should wear it back. You'll look sma

grabbed the small box of hooks to find a new one. "Mom, it's an in

attention on them, but they are absolut

ted to be okay with them. Killian had a way of complimenting them several times a day, which made falling for him so much easier. Sorrow raced through my heart, and I couldn't help but reach up and rub my c

t gotten a job already is because of

thing after being in a rut. Though I t

he office early Monday morning I'd be able to show my dedication and persistence. It was something that Mr. Carrington admired. At least that's w