The Twin Bargain

She stiffened. “They spend time with Maisie’s dad, Jake.”

“Not that much. The girls need a strong male role model.” ErmaJean’s eyes softened. “Unless you think your dad might—”

“My father isn’t likely to ever be in their lives.”

Amber tucked a stray tendril behind her ear. She was aware of the statistics. Girls who grew up without a father were far more likely to experiment with a host of unhealthy life choices.

“Ethan is hardly father material, Miss ErmaJean.”

“How about we let him try? Who knows? He might surprise you.” ErmaJean’s too-observant gaze probed Amber’s features. “Or is that what you’re really afraid of?”

Was she afraid of Ethan? Or just afraid of herself? This arrangement would mean the girls wouldn’t be the only ones spending time with him over the next two months. She’d see him, talk to him—every time she dropped off the twins and picked them up.

Panic bubbled inside her chest. “Suppose the girls get too attached. When he leaves, they could be devastated.”

“Why don’t we cross that bridge when we come to it?” ErmaJean rested her shoulder blades against the chair. “Don’t borrow trouble. Get through school, and let the good Lord work out the rest of the details.”

“What if the girls don’t like him?”

ErmaJean laughed. “When have girls ever not liked my grandson?”

Ain’t that the truth. As in, never. Amber gnashed her teeth.

ErmaJean waved her hand. “Lucy already likes Ethan. And Stella doesn’t dislike him.”

Her slower-to-warm child had trust issues. Amber winced. Just like Stella’s mother.

“I have no doubt, in her own time, Stella will be no more able to resist Ethan’s charm than the rest of us.”

Amber had a sinking feeling ErmaJean was right. Seeing him in the hospital lobby yesterday had brought back so many feelings. Feelings she believed she’d forever buried in the graveyard of her heart.

“What do you say?” ErmaJean opened her hands. “Shall we give it a go, Amber dear?”

Spent of objections, Amber took a deep breath. “We have a deal. But if either of the girls are unhappy... Or their presence hampers your recovery... Or—”

“Or pigs fly.” ErmaJean smiled.

Amber didn’t smile. “Or Ethan decides to bail.”

ErmaJean inclined her head. “Then we’ll reevaluate the terms of our arrangement. Agreed?”

“Agreed.” Amber swallowed. “For now.”

What choice did she have? None, if she truly wanted to finish school and make a better life for her children.

ErmaJean plucked her cell phone out of her pocket. “I’ll give Ethan the good news. And you two can work out the details.”

Would this be good news to Ethan?

Soon after, the physical therapist bustled into the room, and Amber said goodbye. Heading down the corridor, she had the disquieting thought she’d just agreed to something irrevocable. Had she set up not only herself but her children, too, for more pain?

This would not turn out well. This could not turn out well at all. Where she and Ethan were concerned, it never had.