Page 77 of Dreams Do Come True

“So on a scale of one to ten, how bored were you?” I ask Cam as we drive away.

Cam laughs. “Not too much. It’s good to see what that group does for when Nix and I adopt.”

“Well, any baby or toddler practice you want, I have two you can practice on,” I say, grinning, before parking just down from the bakers. “You can start now by babysitting while I buy goodies.”

Cam chuckles. “I can do that.”

I get out of the car and walk inside. Thankfully, there is only one person in front of me, so it doesn’t take long for me to get served and buy up all the Chelsea Buns.

Patty, the owner, laughs. “Hungry?”

I grin. “In need of sugar and sharing the love with the others. How’s life treating you?”

Patty smiles as she bags up my order. “Perfectly. Melody is simply perfect and loving and kind and gorgeous and just everything.”

“I’m happy for you, Patty,” I reply.

“Thanks, and congratulations on your boys, you and Kean must be over the moon.”

“And tired, mustn’t forget the tired,’ I say, grinning.

Patty burst out laughing as she put all the individual bags into a shopping bag for me. I see her add another bag, but I didn’t see what she put in there.

“Just a little cake for your oldest, my treat.”

“Thanks, Patty. Lyric will love that.”

I pay for my order and thank Patty. As I walk outside, I bump into Sly. “Hey, Sly.”

“Titus, having cakes?” he asks, nodding to the bag.

“Yeah, we've just finished the babies and toddlers’ group, and I needed sugar. What are you doing on your own?”

“Ebby is making his chocolate egg orders, and I’ve just dropped the boys off at the library. I was going to sit in the bakery until they finish.”

“You can always come back to ours. I bought extra cakes,” I suggest, holding up the bag, in temptation.

Sly smiles. “I will do, thanks.”

“We can take my car,” I say, nodding to it.

As we walk towards the car, I'm suddenly hit with a feeling of unease. I reach the car as Cam jumps out, looking concerned.

“What’s wrong?” I ask him quickly.

He nods behind me. “I think Lizzie is over by the hardware store.”

I spin around and see a woman with her back to us, but she looks like my mother, even down to the long, old-fashioned black dress. I turn back around. “Cam, Sly, I need you to get River safely back to the manor,” I say as I shove the bag at Sly.

“I’m not leaving you,” Cam growls out.

“Neither am I,” Sly adds, looking like the very idea was stupid, while grabbing the bag so it doesn’t fall.

I look at them. “Two people with the children remember. I can deal with my mother, but I need River safe,” I all but plead.

“Okay, we’ll be back as soon as we’ve dropped River home,” Cam says.

“Thanks,” I reply, as I turn away and stride off to see why my mother is here.