Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 426

“Nancy’s on a business trip to Harrisburg. She should’ve reached your place by now. Have you seen her yet?”

Dennis Williams squinted, glancing at his phone. “Yeah, I’ve seen her.”

Old Mr. Williams chuckled warmly on the other end. “Good, make sure you let her stay over tonight, alright? It’s not safe for a young woman traveling alone.”

Dennis, ever the straight-shooter, replied honestly, “I already booked her a hotel room. She’s probably checking in as we speak.”

“You what—?”

Mr. Williams was so shocked he nearly choked. “It’s late! She just got off a flight, and you’re sending her off to a hotel by herself? You’ve got a whole mansion with empty bedrooms—couldn’t spare her one?”

Dennis stayed cool. “I could, but it’s not really appropriate having her stay here.”

The old man’s mustache practically quivered with indignation. He felt like Dennis was trying to give him a heart attack. The man was still holding out hope for great-grandkids, and here Dennis was turning away a perfectly good opportunity.

“You’re going to be the death of me, Dennis!”

With that, Mr. Williams hung up, his voice still echoing with annoyance.

Dennis knew why his grandfather was upset, but he just shrugged it off and went back to what he was doing. He didn’t let little things like this bother him.

***

The next morning, Camila Davis was still sleeping when she felt something snuggling insistently into her arms.

Half-awake, she opened her eyes and found a fuzzy little head pressing against her.

She couldn’t help but laugh, giving Lillian’s tiny bottom a gentle pat. “You’re up early, waking Mommy like this! Aren’t you afraid I’ll tickle you?”

Lillian, her voice sweet and sleepy, said, “Mommy, get up! Daddy’s coming back soon. We promised we’d go out today—you can’t sleep in!”

Camila looked into her daughter’s sparkling eyes, so full of hope, and couldn’t say no. She smiled and stretched. “Alright, I’m up.”

She’d heard all about Lillian’s plans with Dennis the night before. She hadn’t been able to talk them out of it—what else could she do? The least she could do was not ruin Lillian’s excitement. Especially since her little one was still recovering from her cold.

Camila got up, washed, and helped Lillian get ready for breakfast, dressing her up for their day out. She pulled out a white sweater, a pale pink pinafore, and a soft jacket to match—her daughter looked every bit as sweet as a cupcake.

Susan came over to help, braiding Lillian’s hair into neat plaits and tying little jingle bells at the ends. With every bounce of her head, a cheerful chime followed—adorable enough to melt anyone’s heart.

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