Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

10 Vouchers

From the moment I had taken a peek into my bank account and saw four digits in there, I had been itching to go home and surprise Mom and Caleb by filling our small pantry. I had never seen that much money under my name before. My mind rushed to how this money could make life at the trailer more comfortable for Mom and Caleb. Then I would cook them a really nice meal, probably with a tub of ice cream on the side. Today was that day. It was finally my day off.

I had been meaning to ask Siobhan if I could visit my mom and brother when I did errands for Beckett in the city, and her reply was kind of hilarious.

Why? Did that overgrown toddler tell you you can’t have your day off?!‘ Siobhan had been furious on the phone. “That is against the law, Andi. And don’t tell me not to give him an earful. This is not part of your work anymore.‘

‘Uhm, I didn’t know I had a day off, was my only reply. That was three days ago. And I had been looking forward to this day like a kid waiting for Christmas Eve.

Some girls my age dreamed about buying a new cellphone, bag, branded clothes and shoes, but me, I was only dreaming of coming home with grocery bags in each hand.

The bag handles were cutting into my fingers by the time I reached our house. I couldn’t believe how much I missed the noise of the men at work on the other side of the road, the dust on my shoes as I walked in the unpaved park, and the noise our neighbors made each morning.

I felt eyes on me when I entered the park. We have a good community here, but our neighbors loved peeking into each other’s lives.

“Mom! Caleb! I’m home!” I nearly dropped everything when I pushed open the door.

Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast, and Caleb was just walking out of our room in his school uniform.

“Andi!” Caleb and Mom said in unison. My heart swelled when I heard their voices and felt their arms around me as they welcomed me home.

I’m finally home, I sighed as I hugged them back.

Mom instantly dropped her gaze to the grocery bags on the floor, and Caleb’s eyes lit up.

“Did you rob a supermarket?” Caleb teased.

“Don’t tell anyone,” I shot back, grinning. My chest grew tight at their reaction. Pure shock with a pinch of happiness and confusion bottled in one. I knew they had many questions, but we could get to that later. What I was interested in was the food Mom prepared on our small dining table.

“Ohh, I miss your waffles, Mom,” I said, rubbing my hands together, abandoning the grocery items on the floor, and picking up a waffle with my bare hands.

This was a perk of having a tiny home. Everything was within arm’s reach.

Mom slapped my hand; her glare was a warning that I had lived through since I was a kid.

“Aww!” I dropped the waffle and rubbed the back of my hand.

“Wash your hands first,” Mom berated me, a smile on her face. I bet she missed me as much as I missed her

With a pout, I washed my hands, and Mom took the liberty of picking up the grocery bags and placing them on the counter

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2:16 pm

pw

Chapter 15

TO VOUCTORS

“Let’s take care of that later,” I said. “I’m starving.”

“You two eat. I’ll prepare waffles again since you didn’t tell us you’re coming home,” Mom said, pulling out another waffle mix and starting to make the batter.

1 giggled meekly. “Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

She shook her head, her gray curls swaying as she did. I stared at her back as she mixed the batter and started making waffles. I hadn’t seen her for six days, and she had already lost a few more pounds. The floral dress she was wearing looked as if it were hanging from a clothes rack.

I glanced at Caleb. He smiled meekly, silently telling me not to comment on the quick change in Mom’s physique.

“How’s everything here?” I asked no one in particular, enjoying Mom’s waffles.

“We’re good,” Mom said. “Caleb is happy he has the room to himself,” she cajoled.

“Mom, that was our secret,” he groaned, and I glared at him, punching him in the shoulder. “Aw…”

“And here I am, missing your loud snoring at night,” I joked, not really meaning those words. The estate and my quarters might be luxurious, but I really missed sleeping in our rickety bed. I missed feeling the bunker shake when Caleb rolled in his sleep. Even the stale scent of our kitchen and bathroom was something I surprisingly missed.

“How’s work?” Caleb’s voice turned serious. “Is your boss treating you well?”

I sent him messages every night to let him know I was okay, and I’m telling him the same now. “It’s fine,” I said. “It’s tiring because I’m the only house help in there, but it’s a good change from the bar.”

Caleb looked at me, perusing. He was trying to read through my lies, but he couldn’t break through my walls. I’d been lying about how good work was since he was in preschool.

“I’m happy for you, Andi,” Mom murmured as she placed a new plate of waffles. Caleb had to take his plate to the couch and let Mom sit in his chair. This had been our routine forever. “Maybe you can finally save up so you can go back to school.”

I had already given up on myself. I accepted the fact that I would forever be at the mercy of people like Beckett and Sloane, but Mom had never given up hope. She always reminded me there could be more for me, that I could be more.

“We’ll see,” was all I could say. My future at Beckett’s estate still hung in the balance. That day after the breakfast disaster with Sloane. Beckett had thrown ten sacks of tennis balls in the pool again. And the next day, the dogs played in the mud and ran around inside the mansion, leaving the pristine white floor a chocolate puddle.

“What time will you be home, Caleb?” I asked, standing to make two cups of coffee for Mom and me. I looked over my shoulder when I heard no response from Caleb. It was just in time to catch him staring at Mom meaningfully as if there was something he couldn’t say to me. “What?”

“Uh… ah,” he scratched the back of his neck. “We have a group project at school, and we’re doing it at Sam’s place.”

Our house wasn’t really an ideal space for any of his group projects, so I understood. But why were Caleb and Mom passing weighted glances at each other? I knew them too well not to know they were hiding something from me.

I opened my mouth, ready to dig deeper into whatever they were hiding, when a heavy knocking on our thin door exhood,

“I got it,” Caleb volunteered, sounding weirdly relieved for the distraction.

“Are you expecting any visitors?” I asked as I placed the coffee cups on the table.

Mom shook her head no.

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2:16 pm

Chapter 15

“Whaa… Holy shit,” Caleb gasped. “Beckett Hale? Are you for real?”

10 voleters

I choked on my coffee. A few drops spilled over my mouth and onto my shirt. I had my back to the door, and when I twisted at the hips, I saw my boss‘ huge figure looming over the doorway of our humble abode.

Beckett glanced over Caleb’s shoulder. His gaze on me was blazing.

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