chapter 7

Samantha

When they were done, I began clearing the table and said, “Jason, can you help Henry get ready for school? I’ll get things cleaned up here.”

Nodding, Jason helped Henry down from his chair and took his hand to lead him back upstairs.

When I was alone, I sighed, bracing my hands on the kitchen sink and hung my head. I didn’t want Jason to know that I was barely holding it together.

Things were a lot tighter than he knew. I was barely scraping by with my job at the bookstore downtown. I loved working there and knew I could have a future there if I was able to stick it out just a little longer.

I was determined to make it on my own, though.

For six years, I’d taken care of myself and Henry without anyone’s help. Not because I had to, but because I refused to rely on anyone else for anything. I’d put my faith in another person before, and I’d been left burned and heartbroken…and pregnant.

Gritting my teeth, I forced my mind not to go there, not to think of him.

I heard footsteps