Maid by Mistake

by Miley Maine

  She tipped her head up and met my eyes. “Neither am I. That would have been more than fine with my parents. But I am not going to be that kind of mother.”

  “It would not have been fine with my parents, not at all,” I said.

  “I'm glad you've seen good parenting. Because I haven't.”

  “I think everybody flounders at first when they’re raising a baby, no matter how good their childhood. You are going to be an amazing mother.”

  “I'm glad you're confident about that.”

  She underestimated how compassionate she was, and how patient, and how committed. “I am. I don't worry about your mothering at all.”

  “You haven't even seen me with a child.”

  “That's not true. You were great with the fire chief's daughter. And I saw the way you took care of Jenny.”

  She smiled. “I still don't think those two situations necessarily apply to an infant, but I will take the compliment.”

  I wasn't sure how long it would take for ava to see herself the way I saw her, or the way everyone else saw her. “Good, because it's true.”

  “So neither of us wants to parent from a distance and have the baby with us part time. So what's our solution?”

  First, I needed to address our relationship. I thought I had been very clear that I wanted to be with Ava, in a romantic relationship, not just a partnership of co-parents. But it didn't seem obvious to her. “I want to be with you, in a committed long-term relationship. What do you want?”

  Ava leaned in closer to me. “I want that too.”

  “Then that's solved.” I took a deep breath for this next part. “I'm willing to move to Chicago.”

  Ava’s eyes went wide. “You are? Since when?”

  “Since that's where you live. And that's where our baby will be.”

  “I thought you hated the city.”

  “I don't love the city, that's true. But I do love you, and I love our baby. I'm willing to put aside my own preferences. I know people there. I can get a job in private security easily, if you’d rather me not work a more dangerous job with the Chicago PD.”

  She sat up and stared at me with her mouth open. “But you're the elected Sheriff here.”

  “Barrett can take over for me. Or hell, anyone who wants the job can run and get elected. I love Pine Hills, but it’s not more important than our child.”

  She didn’t say anything.

  I was beginning to wonder if she didn’t want me to move to Chicago with her. “Pine Hills will be fine without me. Our child won’t.”

  She wiped at her eyes. “I hate how emotional I am now. It’s ridiculous.” She pressed her hands to her face for a moment and then over at me. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said. I’m going to write that in the baby book.”

  “You don't have to decide right now. We have plenty of time.”

  “I know what I want.”

  “So tell me.”

  “I want to stay here. We’d be insane to leave your mother and sister, and Barrett too. We have such a great support system. Now that I’ve been reading about child raising, everyone agrees that having people around that you trust is crucial. We don’t have that in Chicago.”

  If she truly wanted to stay here, then that was a better solution than I’d hoped for. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes.”

  “My mother is going to be beside herself.” I took her hand and kissed it. “What about your career? There’s not many opportunities for journalism here in Pine Hills.”

  “I’ve thought about that. There are online companies I can work for. I can do freelance articles for larger publications.”

  “No more gambling ring investigations though, okay?” I said. I’d had enough of watching Ava risk her life.

  “No. No more of those.”

  She wrapped her arms around me. “We’re really going to do this. We’re going to be parents.”

  Ignoring the twinge in my side, I scooped her into my arms and kissed her. “Yes we are.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Ava

  For several days, my phone screen had been flashing. The screen read, ‘Dad. ‘

  I didn’t answer. I’d already listened to his messages.

  Two days after Thanksgiving Tyler woke me up from a nap. “Your father’s been indicted on federal charges,” Tyler said.

  I felt like I’d been holding my breath for a week.

  I pushed the afghan off of my legs. “I should go visit him. He’s been calling me non-stop. Every voicemail begs me to forgive him and asks me to come back home.”

  Tyler put his hand on my belly. “I don’t know if a visit is a good idea right now.”

  “It will be fine. You know he’s been writing me letters and sending them via email. Will I be allowed to see him?”

  “You can. He’s already out on bail. But he’s only allowed to travel about five hundred feet from his home.”

  I wasn’t going to put this off anymore. I wanted it over before I was too pregnant to travel far from home. “I’m going to text him and let him know I’m coming up.”

  “Let him know that we’re coming up. You are not going alone.”

  As Tyler drove closer to the city, and the vibrant blue water of Lake Michigan came into view, he reached over and tugged on a lock of my hair. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I’m sure.” I wasn’t sure, not at all. But I wasn’t going to pass up this opportunity. My father had called me twenty times and left ten voicemails.

  My father was at home, but he wasn’t allowed to leave, so if I wanted to see him, it was up to me.

  We pulled up to the imposing white mansion on the edge of the city, closest to Lake Michigan. “Turn left here,” I said and I guided him to my father’s house.

  “So this is where you grew up,” Tyler said.

  I tried to picture it through his eyes. A thirty-million dollar mansion, 20,000 square foot home in the middle of the bustling city, surrounded by a wrought iron fence, with manicured shrubs that surrounded the property.

  Nearby there were museums, schools, restaurants and boutiques.

  Oddly enough, it didn’t feel like my home anymore. My home was in Pine Hills now, in a rambling white farmhouse.

  I rang the doorbell.

  My father answered the door. “Hello,” he said.

  I’d never seen my father answer a door in his life. I’d also never seen him so hesitant. He shuffled to the side a little when he saw me looking around. “No staff now,” he said. “For obvious reasons. The FBI let me give everyone a severance package, at least.” He pulled the door all the way open.

  I’d miss seeing all of our staff, although I doubted they’d miss us.

  Tyler stepped into the marble foyer and held out his hand. “Mr. Ackland. I’m Tyler Whittaker.”

  At that moment, he was not meeting his girlfriend’s father. He was every bit of the sheriff I’d seen in action. I watched my father’s face. He could tell Tyler was less than impressed at being here. My father was no longer able to hide behind his name and his wealth.

  My father smiled ruefully as he stuck his own hand out. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Tyler didn’t let go. “I hope you understand that Ava’s been through a lot, all of it as a direct result of your choices. If you upset her, we’re leaving.”

  I smiled to myself. I didn’t need Tyler to protect me at that moment, but it sure was nice to know I had backup.

  My father swallowed hard. “I understand. I don’t want to upset her either.”

  “Then don’t,” Tyler said. He wrapped his arm around me, and the three of us walked to the dining room.

  “I made us some spaghetti,” my dad said.

  That was another first for my father. Cooking. I peeked into the empty kitchen. “It’s hard to imagine our chef not being here.”

  “Yes. It’s been an adjustment.”

  Tyler pulled my chair out for me, and waited for me to sit down. I noticed my f
ather watching him. He didn’t know I was pregnant yet. I wasn’t sure if I was going to tell him yet or not.

  Once I was settled, Tyler sent me a look. I could tell that the look said, ‘Are you okay with this? Do you want to leave?’

  I sent him a small smile back. I was fine. I still wanted to do this.

  He settled into his chair, but managed to still look just as imposing as ever. I even caught my father casting a wary look in Tyler’s direction.

  We ate in silence. The food was good. If I wasn’t so ravenous all the time, I probably wouldn’t have had an appetite, but the baby made me so hungry it overrode my emotional state.

  Finally I couldn’t take it anymore. “Why did you ask me to come?”

  My father put his fork down. “Because I wanted to apologize.”

  I kept eating, curious what he would say.

  “I am so sorry for what happened. I should have known better. The night when Christopher first found out you were investigating our business, I should have taken you out of the country then, and found you a safe place to stay. I took a huge risk when I let him leave that night.”

  “I was watching you on the security camera,” I said. “It was obvious even to me that he wasn’t satisfied with your answer.”

  “I don’t have an excuse. I wanted to believe he would let me handle it, so I did.”

  “You wanted your fantasy world to stay intact.”

  “Yes. But once you were gone, they both became more erratic. I started to realize they weren’t going to give up. Then I realized your life was in danger. By then, I couldn’t find you, but I started to suspect they had an idea where you were.”

  “Did you really plan to walk away from the business?”

  “Yes. I bought two plane tickets to Paris that night. I thought we could escape for a while, and when we came back, they’d be satisfied with having a larger share of the profits.”

  “But I ran.” Tyler’s large hand moved over to cover mine. I felt the strength in his fingers as they intertwined with mine.

  “Yes. Understandably so.”

  “And that set them off?”

  “Yes. They were consumed with finding you. They tried to act concerned, but I grew alarmed too, and I started looking for you. I panicked, and I didn’t plan. I should have called the FBI then and confessed, but instead I called the police when I knew they were out looking for you.”

  “That’s when they were arrested on minor charges.”

  “Yes. They broke into your office.”

  “At the newspaper?”

  “Yes.”

  “God. I need to call my boss there.” I returned my focus to my father. “So how did you end up indicted?”

  “I called the FBI.”

  “You turned yourself in?”

  “Yes. When Christopher and Carl left town, I assumed they were trying to find you. I thought going to the Feds was the most effective strategy. I knew once I provided evidence that all three of us would be taken into custody, from anywhere in the country. I just didn’t realize they’d find you so quickly.”

  I wasn’t going to admit it to my father just yet, but I was impressed. And touched. He’d allowed himself to be indicted, and possibly spend some time in federal prison so that he could save me. “So what happens to you now?”

  “It’s possible that I’ll get a minimum sentence since I reported the crime myself. I’ve handed over every relevant document. The house will be seized and so will most of my accounts.”

  I wasn’t ready to offer my father a place to live yet, but I also didn’t want him living in a car somewhere. “If you need money, let me know.”

  “I’ll be fine. I consider myself fortunate. You’re alive, and that’s what matters.”

  “You won’t be tempted to go back? You won’t miss the deal-making?”

  “No. I don’t think it would be possible; I assume the Feds will keep tabs on me for the rest of my life. But even if not, I’m relieved. I’ve already got a therapist, and I’m doing telemedicine with her while I’m on house arrest.”

  Therapy? My father? I was shocked. And once again, impressed.

  If he’d gone to the FBI to save my life, then I could at least let him know he was having a grandchild. “I do have something to tell you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  He’d been more contrite than I’d ever expected. I wasn’t sure I was going to ever feel comfortable dropping our kid off to go fishing with grandpa, but if he stayed out of prison, I would be willing to let him see our child and spend time with him or her. That was something I couldn’t have fathomed just an hour ago.

  “You’re going to be a grandfather.”

  My father dropped his napkin. He scooted his chair back and stood up. He started to lean forward as if he was going to hug me, and then he stopped. “That’s wonderful news. Congratulations.” He looked at Tyler. “Congratulations to you both.”

  “Thank you.”

  I wasn’t hungry anymore, but I was tired. And I was ready to get out of this mausoleum of a house. “We better get back on the road.”

  My father walked us to the door. “Thank you for coming, especially in light of the situation.” He hugged me, smiling down at my stomach, and he grasped Tyler’s arm. “Thank you for taking care of her.”

  I wanted to add that I didn’t need taking care of, but the truth was I liked Tyler’s brand of taking care of me.

  “I’ll write. Paper letters. My therapist said it will be good for me.” He wrung his hands together. “If you’d keep me updated on the baby, and on what you two are up to, I’d love that.”

  I could do that.

  Once we’d closed the wrought iron gate, I stood on the sidewalk and looked back at the mansion I’d grown up in. I hated the house, but I still needed to say goodbye.

  “Are you sad that this house won’t belong to you?” Tyler asked.

  “No. I grew up here, but it isn’t home. Not the way the farm house is home to you and your family.”

  Tyler tugged me closer. “Do you want me to take a photo of it with you in front?”

  “No. I’ll leave it in my memories.”

  I don’t know how I ever thought I’d go back to Chicago. Not after I’d found Pine Hills, and not after I’d met Tyler. How could I ever have thought Chicago was more important than being with the man I loved?

  Tyler got us back on the road.

  “Do you want to stay longer?”

  “No.” Someday I’d want to share more of my previous life with him. I’d want to show him the fashion magazine I’d worked for, and the office where I’d barely worked before having to run. I’d show him the offices my father had owned, and the private prep school where I’d attended elementary school. I’d show him the university I’d loved, and then eventually, the streets where I’d spent so many hours trying to uncover my family’s crimes.

  I was relieved that Jenny was safe at her rehab center. She’d probably be there for months.

  I still had friends there, but I’d text or call them for now. And we’d be back to visit my father from time to time too.

  But not yet. I wasn’t ready yet.

  “How are you doing?” Tyler asked. As usual when he drove, he reached his hand over to rest on mine.

  “Actually I’m doing pretty well. I’m looking forward to moving on with our lives. For the first time since I met you, there’s not something crazy hanging over my head.”

  “And you don’t have any more secrets, right?” Tyler’s mouth curved up into a half smile, but I knew this was a topic he took very seriously.

  “Not one.” I adjusted my seat belt and turned in my seat so I could look at him. “I promise I won’t keep secrets again. I hated every minute of keeping them from you.”

  He laced his fingers through mine. “We both agree not to do it again. I trust you.”

  I wasn't sure how that was possible, but I wasn’t going to argue with his forgiveness. I was too glad to have it. His mouth ticked up again. “I
might know a little bit about keeping things to myself.”

  “We haven’t had a chance to talk about the future in any more detail. It’s been such a whirlwind. I know that I want to stay in Pine Hills. But how do you want to raise the baby? Do you want to live separately and split custody? Or do you want to live in the same house?”

  Tyler’s fingers tightened over mine. “I want us to live together.”

  “Perfect. So do I.”

  As soon as we got back from Chicago, I applied for a job at the local paper. Pine Hills had a tiny publication that had a partnership with the other small town in the county. It didn’t pay much, but we didn’t need much either. Tyler owned the house outright, so there was no mortgage payment. He still received benefits from his time serving in the SEALs, and his sheriff salary more than covered everything we needed.

  Chapter Thirty

  Tyler

  I’d told everyone in Pine Hills that I’d come back home for a peaceful life post-military.

  Ha. Now it had become something of a joke between me and Ava. There hadn’t been a lot of peace. I’d been elected sheriff, had a fake maid move in to my home and had to rescue her from a deranged thug.

  Now my girlfriend was pregnant, and I was going to be a father.

  It was not the life I’d planned, but it was exactly what I wanted.

  The only thing lacking was having Ava as my wife. She’d never mentioned marriage. She’d never even mentioned getting engaged.

  I wondered if she thought she was too young, or if she assumed I wasn’t interested. Or I wondered if it simply hadn’t been a big deal in the circles she associated with in Chicago. Many young professional women her age who lived in the city were putting off marriage and children until their mid to late thirties. She was only twenty-four.

  Maybe she wanted to raise the baby with me, but not be tied down. That was understandable. But I wanted her to be my wife.

  I was going to propose.

  When she’d asked me if I wanted to live separately and split custody, or live together, it had stunned the words right out of my mouth. As a country boy at heart, I’d taken it for granted that we’d be getting married. I hadn’t really thought about when, I’d just assumed we’d make it happen sometime before the baby was born.