The Homemaker (The Chain of Lakes #1) Read Online Jewel E. Ann

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Angst, Contemporary Tags Authors: Series: The Chain of Lakes Series by Jewel E. Ann
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Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 92371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 462(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 308(@300wpm)
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I set up my folding chair well behind the lineup of parents. And just as I sit down, Cameron’s dad stands to chat with the new coach. The two men laugh at something, then the coach removes his baseball hat to scratch the back of his head.

What the fuck?

It’s Murphy. He’s the new coach? I grip the arms of my chair, anger building deep in my belly. How could he? I was very clear about not interrupting Cameron’s life. What has he done? What has he said? I push out of my chair, feeling the anger climb up my neck and settle into my cheeks. That’s when Murphy’s attention drifts past the sidelines and lands on me.

He grins so big that a few of the moms, including Cameron’s, glance behind them to see what’s caught his attention.

I want to die, but not before I kill him.

He waves me over. “Come meet the parents, honey!”

Come meet the parents? Honey?

What has he done? My stomach twists as I shuffle my feet on wobbly legs closer to the field.

“This is my wife, Alice,” he says.

My eyes widen, body stiffens. Wife? WIFE!?

“When did you get back from Paris?” Cameron’s mom asks me, tightening her short, blond ponytail.

This is the fourth wall that’s never supposed to be broken. I’m so scared, yet my heart feels something new and unexpected as this pleasant woman who’s been raising my child smiles at me, asking about a trip to Paris I know nothing about.

“Late last night,” Murphy answers for me when the pause gets too awkward. He takes my hand and pulls me into his body. After he turns his cap backwards, he whispers, “Hi” and gives me a soft kiss.

I don’t kiss him back because I can’t move or speak, let alone kiss my …. husband?

“Bring your chair closer,” Cameron’s mom says. “We’ll scoot over to make room for one more.”

“I have to get back to the boys,” Murphy says. “Enjoy the game.” He winks and rights his hat before sauntering to the middle of the field.

“I’m Rose and this is my husband, Jonathan. Babe, grab Alice’s chair for her.”

“Oh, I can get—” Before I can get my brain and mouth to fully cooperate, Jonathan is halfway to my deserted chair.

“These are our two girls, Casey and Aurora.”

The two blond girls don’t give me a single glance. They’re too busy sorting their M&Ms by color on their laps.

“Thank you,” I find two more words to offer when Cameron’s dad sets my chair next to Rose.

“Our son is the next one in line to kick the ball. The one with the shaggy brown hair. He needs a haircut,” Rose laughs. “His name is Cameron.”

“Cameron,” I murmur softly.

Tears burn my eyes, so I slip on my sunglasses. This is awful. It’s also wonderful. I’m freaking out, fighting back tears.

Happy tears.

Fearful tears.

What is happening?

“So Murphy told us you’re an executive assistant for some wealthy businessman. Do you get to take lots of trips around the world?” Rose asks.

“Um,” I clear my throat, keeping my focus on the players and their coach, “not usually. My job involves more mundane tasks at his residence. The Paris trip was a surprise.”

“Do you speak French?” she asks.

“No. Not really.” A nervous laugh escapes. “Not at all actually.”

“Well, if you ever need help, Jonathan speaks fluent French. Right, babe?” She rests her hand on his knee.

He keeps his focus on the field. “Oui.”

I feel my first genuine smile. She’s the golden retriever in their relationship and he’s the black cat.

“He’s taught all the kids to speak French, but I’m the worst. We’ve been married for fifteen years, and I think I’ve learned less than ten words.” She laughs.

A new round of tears pool in my eyes. I like her so much. And my son speaks French?

The game begins, and my heart can’t keep up with so much emotion. I don’t know what Murphy’s been up to for the past two months, but somewhere along the way he decided Cameron is his son, something we will never know for sure.

I don’t know if that makes him delusional or the best man who ever lived.

After the win, all the parents clap and cheer, and so do I because I have a boy on the field too. The teams line up to shake hands, fist bumps, really.

Cameron runs toward Rose and Jonathan. Thank god for my sunglasses. I wipe my tears before they slip into view. My heart might burst. Aside from the day I gave birth to him, the day I let him go, this is the closest I’ve been to my son.

“Good game, baby.” Rose hugs him.

My heart is in my throat.

“Nice job, champ,” Jonathan says when Cameron gives him a hug.

“Cam, this is Coach Paddon’s wife, Alice.” Rose introduces me to my son.

I can’t speak, no matter how hard I try to swallow past the lump in my throat. So I smile, and I hope that says it all.


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