Dragon Whelps
Earth Dragons Series: Book 3
Charlene Hartnady
Copyright © June 2019, Charlene Hartnady
Cover Art by Melody Simmons
Copy Edited by KR
Proofread by [email protected]
Produced in South Africa
[email protected]
Dragon Whelps is a work of fiction and characters, events and dialogue found within are of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, either living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews no part of this book may be reproduced or shared in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including but not limited to digital copying, file sharing, audio recording, email and printing without prior consent in writing from the author.
Created with Vellum
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
About the Author
Also by Charlene Hartnady
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Georgia looked down at her finger. What? She checked her other hand. Nope! Her papercut from that morning was gone. How was that possible? She obviously hadn’t cut herself as badly as she thought. Then again, it was just a papercut. Sore but hardly deep or deadly. No wonder it was gone. Without a trace though? She realized she was still looking at her fingertips when Ian Joyce spoke to her.
“What about the father?” He leaned forward, folding his arms on the table. He looked the picture of calm. The tight lines around his mouth told a different story. “You mentioned that he isn’t aware of the situation.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he scrutinized her.
Georgia worked hard at sitting still. She shook her head slowly. “You don’t have to worry about him, he’s not in the picture. It was one night…” She felt her cheeks heat, the need to squirm in her chair increased. “A mistake.”
Oh boy, was it ever. That night was the mother of mistakes!
“Yes, but he’s bound to find out about this…” He glanced down at her distended belly. “It’s hard to miss that you’re pregnant.” He smiled in a way that was kind and understanding. The lines around his mouth didn’t soften, however. “You have told him, haven’t you?”
“We’re worried we will get our hopes up only to have them…dashed.” Christine Joyce smiled as well; her smile was sad. “It’s happened before.” She looked at her husband who gripped her hand tightly in his.
“The father isn’t from Dalton Springs. He was here for one night.” She shrugged. “I only know his first name. He was supposed to be in town for a convention for martial arts or something.” She frowned. “I’ve tried to find him based on that, and his first name, but no luck. I tried at the hotel he was staying at, but I couldn’t remember the room number. The hotel wasn’t forthcoming about previous guests anyway.” She pushed out a breath. “He’s long gone. It’s not like Dalton Springs is much of a tourist destination. I doubt very much that he’s ever coming back here. Even if he did, I doubt he would want anything to…” she cleared her throat, trying to tamp down on her emotions, “do with this baby. He told me he didn’t want kids.” She put a hand to her belly, feeling the baby move inside her. It only made her feel worse. Feeling the life inside her. Growing every day. A part of her. A part she was having to deny. She couldn’t grow too attached. Couldn’t afford to, for her own sanity.
Georgia removed her hand, placing it on her lap instead. She ignored the little kicks in her womb and focused on the couple in front of her. The couple who wanted to adopt this baby. They would be perfect parents. They seemed like good people. They had money. Christine was leaving her job as an accountant to focus on being a mom full time. She’d make the best mom. The kind who went for walks with the baby in the stroller. The kind who took their kid to the park. Who walked them to school and back every day. The kind who helped with homework and baked cookies. They would be able to offer this child everything she couldn’t. Everything and more. The kid would have both parents and a loving home with means.
“Okay.” Ian Joyce nodded, some of those lines disappearing. “So, the father is most likely never going to be an issue. What about you Miss Hewlett? You might change your mind.”
Mrs. Joyce sniffed. “Please don’t misunderstand, we are desperate for a child. We want you to pick us. We don’t want to sound like we’re being difficult, but,” she swallowed, “it’s happened before. After the birth. As soon as the mother held the baby, she decided she wanted to keep her.”
I want this baby.
I want to keep this— “That’s not going to happen.” Her voice was firm. Georgia sat up straighter in her chair. “I can’t be a mother to this child.”
Christine Joyce leaned forward. “How can you be so sure? It might all change when you hold him or her in your arms.”
“I’m very sure. It can’t happen.” She shook her head vehemently. “You see, I have no other choice but to give this baby up. None!” She shook her head again.
“There’s always a choice, Miss Hewlett,” Ian said. His hair had the beginnings of grey at his temples. His eyes were crinkled around the edges. She could see desperation in their depths.
“I work two jobs to make ends meet.” She looked from Ian to Christine and back again. “I have no support.” Her voice cracked as she said the last. “I’m sorry.” She cleared her throat. “I can’t afford to take any time off work. I can’t afford daycare.” She shrugged. “My baby would be better off,” she rubbed her lips together, “in a loving home with two parents who can look after him or her. That’s the bottom line. Short of some kind of miracle, I literally can’t keep this child.” She swallowed thickly. “I’m doing what’s best for my baby.”
“That’s commendable.” Mr. Joyce’s eyes looked solemn. She couldn’t help but notice that some of the tension had left him. “You’ve asked for visitation?” He raised his brows and looked at his wife, who widened her eyes. “Truth is…we’re not sure how comfortable we are with that setup. It might be confusing for the child.”
“We wouldn’t have to tell the child about me being their biological mother until they were old enough to understand, but yes, it’s important to me that I am a part of this kid’s life. I can’t afford to keep this baby but that doesn’t mean I want to cut all ties either. I can’t be a mother to my child, but I can be there.”
“Thing is,” Christine said, “we want to start our lives as a family without interruption or… It’s a strange request, that’s all. It would leave things open for you to—”
“This baby would be legally yours. You would have all the say. The two of you would be the parents.” It hurt her to even say the words, but she forced them out. It was how it had to be. “I would be a friend of the family or something. We can figure it out. I won’t be at your house every day or anything. Maybe bi-weekly.” She shrugged.
Mr. Joyce shook his head. “It might be more difficult for you if you see the baby r
egularly versus cutting ties. Have you thought of that?”
“All I do is think about it. I don’t care about myself…I’m not important. It’s my baby who is most important. I think this child would ultimately want to know that they were loved…in the long run, that is. That I made an effort. That I didn’t just abandon him or her.” Her eyes welled but she blinked back the tears.
“I can’t help but think that it would be a confusing arrangement. I’m just not sure it would work for us…” He looked like his mind was working a mile a minute.
“I’m afraid I have to insist.” Georgia pressed her lips together for a moment. “There are other couples interested.”
“Oh.” Christine looked down, she clasped her hands together and squeezed.
Georgia really liked the Joyces, she hadn’t planned on playing this card but what choice did she have? They needed to understand the bigger picture. They were good people. They ticked every box. They also lived fairly close by. Only thirty minutes’ drive. All the other couples were far away. Not only that, the one couple didn’t look all that happy together. They pretended to be. Tried really hard, but the cracks were there. The other couple was wealthy but too focused on their careers. The third couple was very young. They didn’t feel right for this child. They’d also let slip that they were hoping for a girl. Georgia had no idea what the sex of this baby was. “I’m going to be honest,” Georgia said. “I’m leaning towards the two of you for the adoption.”
Christine smiled brightly and clutched her chest. “Really?” she gushed. “You had me worried there for a moment.”
“Yes, really, but I have to be a part of this child’s life. I won’t interfere. He or she will be yours. I have made peace with that.” Her chest clenched tight. “It will be more difficult for me this way. To watch him or her grow up. To hear them call you mom.” The clenching tightened. “It will be almost unbearable, but it is something I will endure. I have to give my child away. There is no other option for me, but I refuse to abandon this baby. I hope you understand that.”
“Okay.” Ian nodded. “We will need to discuss it, but it is more understandable now that you have explained.” He smiled at his wife who beamed back.
“I agree, it makes more sense now.” Christine turned to her, still beaming.
“Let us know when you’re ready and we can take care of the paperwork.”
“Okay.” She nodded. Sooner rather than later would be better.
“The lady from the agency said you are around six months along. I know it’s not an exact science but what is the due date?”
“By my calculations, it should be early June.”
Christine frowned. “Your calculations? You have been to see a doctor?”
Georgia felt her cheeks heat all over again. “I’m afraid not. I haven’t been able to afford it.”
Mr. Joyce frowned deeply. “Why? Have you applied for Medicaid or…?”
“I can’t,” she shook her head. “I earn above the minimum threshold.”
“But then surely—”
“My mother is ill. She has Alzheimer’s.” Georgia pressed her lips together.
“Oh.” Christine covered her mouth. “That’s terrible.”
“Yes,” Georgia paused. “It’s been three years since she was diagnosed. It’s very rare if she even remembers who I am anymore. Although, she still has the occasional good day.”
“Must be tough.” Mr. Joyce looked uncomfortable. He shifted in his chair.
“She’s in a home and needs full-time care. Thankfully, she is on an insurance plan, but it doesn’t cover all her needs. Not even close. I am all she has. I’m responsible for her wellbeing. Every spare cent goes to her needs. I make do. I live on very little but the debt is slowly mounting. I can’t work any more than I do now.”
“Such a burden on you,” Mr. Joyce interjected, shaking his head.
“I don’t see it that way.”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t mean it like that. I—”
“I know you didn’t.” Georgia smiled, trying to diffuse the situation. “This has been really tough on me. My mother has to come first. I knew I was most likely pregnant but didn’t take a test for weeks. In truth, I buried my head in the sand because I knew I would have to give this baby up. I’ve reached a point,” she blinked back the tears, “where I can’t do that anymore. I have to face reality. I have to do what’s right for this baby.” She was wrong not to have sought medical help. She was wrong to have waited this long. Facing up to reality had been an impossibility for her. “Going for an ultrasound would’ve cost a whole week’s worth of food. I quite literally had to choose between eating or going for a check-up. It’s no excuse, of course.” Guilt rolled around inside her. She lived with it.
“You really don’t have to explain, Miss Hewlett. Give it some real thought. When you are really ready, you give us the word,” Mr. Joyce looked a little flustered, “and we’ll help out.” He shrugged. “You need medical care. You will need to see a doctor to ensure all is well…um…before we can proceed, but that’s just a formality. You need vitamins and,” he looked down at the dress she had squeezed herself into, “maternity wear…healthy food. We’re here for you now, Miss Hewlett.”
She nodded. Her first instinct was to turn him down. “Okay…thank you.” She nodded again. She couldn’t say no. She had to accept the help, for the baby.
“Just give us the go-ahead and we’ll arrange everything,” Christine added, with a smile. “You’re not alone anymore.”
Funny, she still felt alone. Very alone. Then the baby kicked, and a tear trickled down her cheek. “Okay.” She wiped her face. “That’s great.” She smiled.
Chapter 2
That evening…
Georgia turned the corner, heading for the east wing. She waved at the approaching nurse. “Hello,” she called out.
“Your mom isn’t having a great day, I’m afraid.” Nurse Tanya frowned, pushing her hands into her pockets.
“Okay.” Georgia acknowledged. “Thanks for the heads-up.”
“I know it isn’t always possible, but mornings are better. She tends to go downhill as the day goes by.”
“I know.” Pity she had to work most mornings. She was an admin clerk at a marketing agency. She’d had to meet the Joyces during her lunch break.
The other woman gave her a pat on the arm as she walked past. “You’re a good daughter,” she said. “Your mother is lucky to have you.”
Georgia smiled and nodded once. She didn’t always feel like a good daughter. There were days when she wanted to leave and never come back. She always would though.
Georgia sucked in a deep breath as she arrived at her mom’s door. She turned the knob and went in. “Hi, mum!” She closed the door behind her on a soft click.
Her mom looked her way. There was zero recognition in her eyes. “I don’t want any tea,” she announced, looking back at the television, which was on but set to mute. Loud noises tended to aggravate her. Closed spaces aggravated her sometimes as well. She liked to watch the television. Usually. Sometimes even that was too much.
“I don’t have any tea,” Georgia said as she approached her mom’s bed.
“I don’t want lunch!” her mom yelled. “No lunch!” she shouted, shaking her head. Her hair was mussed.
“Okay, mom…that’s okay. You don’t have to have lunch.” She shook her head slowly.
“No lunch!” Her mom’s eyes widened. “Stop calling me that.” Her voice had taken on a desperate edge. She sounded upset and confused. “Who are you? I don’t want lunch. You shouldn’t call me that.”
“I’m here to clean your room.” It was definitely one of those days. Georgia walked over to the closet and took out a broom. “Just to clean.” She held up the cleaning equipment. Georgia began to sweep. She risked a quick glance at her mom, out of the corner of her eye.
She had, thankfully, calmed down and was quietly watching the television. Some days were like this. The bad days. The
terrible days were worse. At least there was still the odd good day. Georgia lived for those days.
She swept the floor twice before putting the broom away and sitting down next to her mom who completely ignored her. Georgia was content to sit there. It was one of those nature programs, something about penguins. Her eyes began to feel heavy.
As much as she wanted to, she couldn’t give in to it. Three orders for cover designs had come in that day. She needed to get cracking when she got home. Two of the covers were customs. Only the one was a pre-made.
Her second job was designing e-book covers for the romance indie writers’ community. Hours of work for mediocre pay, but hey, she wasn’t complaining. It was a job. It was money. Not nearly enough, but money, nonetheless.
Georgia hoped to be able to go back to her position at the agency quite soon after the birth, considering her role wasn’t physically taxing and also since she wasn’t going to be raising the baby herself. No maternity leave required. Maybe a couple of days to get over the worst.
She couldn’t afford any kind of time off, since it would be unpaid. She’d checked in with her boss, who hadn’t been very helpful.
Slap! Pain exploded on the side of her face and she turned away to avoid being hit again. Georgia jumped to her feet, her face on fire.
Her mom was watching the television as if nothing had happened. “I told you,” she rocked back and forth in her chair, “I don’t want any supper.” She rocked harder.
Dragon Whelps: Earth Dragons Series: Book 3 Page 1
