Page 16 of Nanny's Mate

Beatriz regarded Karla with a broad grin. She had sunk deeper into the couch while the kids presented her with both wolf and dinosaur toys that she had surely seen before. It was sweet how much they loved and missed their mother. It was also sweet how much attention she gave them despite a long and arduous day of already giving so much of herself.

Karla met Beatriz’s smile and flashed her own.

“You are reading my mind, aren’t you?” she said, flipping a brontosaurus between her palms.

Beatriz laughed.

“Look at them. They are so happy you’re home. Let me get the bag for you. It’s not far.”

Gratitude washed through Karla’s eyes. It really was the least she could do as a woman helping another woman. They needed each other.

“Would you really? That would be wonderful.”

Beatriz gave her a friendly nod, then walked over to the kids. She gave them each a kiss on the head, which they were oblivious to in their mother’s presence.

“Of course, Karla. It’s not like you’re asking me to go to the moon. They miss their mom. I won’t be two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Karla beamed. Beatriz felt a glow inside.

“Thank you,” she said, her tired eyes warm with appreciation.

Karla gathered her things and headed out to Indulge, the wine and tapas bar that was set to open anytime. When Beatriz walked in, she couldn’t help the memory of her first encounter with the one and only Mike Lewis. The memory cascaded through her body like scalding hot water.

The place was pretty much finished with renovations and felt a bit eerie looking so empty. Soft piano music played as she immediately spotted Karla’s bag tucked under the bar.

“Hey, Beatriz.”

Ellie came out of the back room with Wallis trailing behind her. Her full bulging belly was as round and firm as a basketball, protruding in front of her but not hindering her gait whatsoever. Her stride was confident and lively as she gave Beatriz a hug.

“God, you are ready to go, aren’t you?” Beatriz said as she rubbed Ellie’s shoulders.

“Oh, I really am,” Ellie replied, rubbing her belly like a genie’s lamp. “This little one is going to come out doing backflips, I swear.”

Beatriz sat at the bar while Ellie curled around it, eyeing the various sparkling selections of vintage and modern liquor bottles. Her eyes were nearly identical to that of her mother's, as were her fair skin, rosy cheeks, and nearly platinum blonde hair. She had an air of authority about her that Beatriz liked, yet she wasn’t intimidating in the slightest.

“So I heard about you and Mike,” Ellie said, raising a frisky eyebrow. “Mom said he was late for a meeting with Dad because he was at your cabin.”

Her expression was playful, but Beatriz still felt the hot rush of heat prickling her cheeks and neck. She tried to turn away, concealing her bashfulness, when Ellie leaned over the bar.

“Don’t be embarrassed. I get it. Mike has some good moves. You must have really enjoyed yourself,” Ellie said with a wink.

Jealousy pummeled through Beatriz like a punching bag, her wolf emerging to protect what she desperately wanted to be hers.

Ellie must have noticed. She held her hands in the air and reassured Beatriz of the innocence of the interaction.

“No, no, I meant I know his moves from combat training. He tried me in combat. That's all I meant."

Beatriz softened, her envy vanishing into thin air. The two women locked eyes and then burst into hysterics. It was a lovely feeling.

“Oh, lord, the look on your face!” Ellie sobbed through tears. “That could have really turned out bad.”

Beatriz bent over the stool, holding her stomach as the laughter bubbled up. Ellie was doing the same but then suddenly stopped, her face contorted with a grimace.

Beatriz leapt to her feet and hurried around the bar as Ellie groaned. She placed a hand on her back and began to rub her in soft circles.

“Are you all right? Come on, let’s sit you down.”

She led Ellie, who was still somewhat hunched over and wincing, to one of the black booths next to what would be a stage for acoustic performers. Wallis must have spotted them because she rushed out from the back, her face stricken with worry.