Read Online The Doctor's Secret Bride (1) by Ana E. Ross - Free Book Online Page B

year.  And beside, Precious was scared of horses.  But her father was too wrapped up in himself to notice.
    Michelle believed Erik loved his daughter and wanted the best for her, but knowing that some of the best things in life were free and spontaneous, she’d ignored the itinerary.  Since she had to go to Manchester to get the rest of her stuff from Yasmine’s apartment, she saw no harm in canceling Precious’ classes and taking the little girl to her old neighborhood playground where she spent a couple hours playing with Yasmine’s nephew, Peter, and some other kids.
    Michelle knew she might catch hell from Erik for her impetuous behavior, but what was done was done.  The important thing was that Precious had a great time, and she’d found a new friend in Peter.
    “Grandma!  Grandma!”
    “Wait, Precious!”  Michelle raced after the vanishing figure and turned a corner to see Precious enveloped in the arms of a woman who looked young enough to be her mother.
    “How’s my favorite granddaughter?” she said, grinning at Precious.
    So this was Erik’s mother?
    “I’m your only granddaughter, Grandma.”  Precious giggled.
    “Yes, you are.  But you’d still be my favorite even if I had a hundred.”
    “Oh, Grandma.”
    The woman stared at Michelle.  “Is this your new nanny?”
    “Uh-huh.  Her name is Michelle.”
    A subtle smile lit her face as she lowered Precious to the floor.  She held a hand out to Michelle.  “I’m Felicia, Erik’s mother.”
    “Hello, Mrs. LaCrosse.”
    She chuckled.  “No dear, I’m not Mrs. LaCrosse.  It’s Felicia Ryce, but you can call me Felicia.”
    Erik’s mother was tall, with bouncy, black shoulder-length hair.  She didn’t look anything like a grandmother at all.  She was classy and beautiful with a face that reminded Michelle of Diahann Carroll.  Her smile was warm and genuine, as was her handshake.  But why was her name Ryce and not LaCrosse like Erik’s?  Precious had told her about her two grandmas, Felicia and Danielle.  She knew Erik’s father was married to Danielle and living in the resort mountain town of Granite Falls.  She’d assumed that Felicia had kept her married name after divorcing Erik’s father—lots of women did that.  Perhaps she’d remarried to somebody named Ryce…  No, there was no ring on her finger, so…
    “How do you like the job so far?” Felicia asked.
    “I just started yesterday and I’m tired already,” Michelle said, giving the woman a wide smile.  “Your granddaughter has more energy that a fully grown thoroughbred.”
    Felicia grinned.  “I know what you mean.  You definitely have to take your vitamins to keep up with Precious.”  She frowned as she inspected her granddaughter.  “Why is she so dirty?  She looks like she needs a good scrubbing.”
    “I went to the park, Grandma.  And it was so much fun, and I met Yasmine and Peter.  He taught me how to spit, real far.  You want me to show you?”
    “Not in the store, baby.  You only spit outdoors.  Aren’t you supposed to be at piano right now?”  She directed her question to Precious, but her eyes were centered on Michelle.
    “I canceled her lessons,” Michelle said with quiet emphasis.  “She was out late last night and I thought she needed a day off from her rigid schedule.  Erik said they stopped by to visit you.”
    Felicia started laughing, almost doubling over with the humor.
    Michelle frowned, wondering what on earth could be amusing the woman so.
    “They did, and now I understand why he didn’t want to go home,” she said, sobering up a little.  “Precious, baby, why don’t you go to the end of this aisle and get your grandma two cans of tomato soup, and a can of lentils?  Take your time.”
    She gave Michelle a whimsical grin when Precious was out of earshot.  “I like you already.  It’s about time a woman stood up to that boy of mine.  My son is a wonderful man; he was a great husband, but Lord he