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He ignored her and the choking sound of outrage co from the hall and focused on Eleanor She suddenly looked every day of her fifty-eight years It looked like she’d finally been beaten Ephraiht she failed Her granddaughter was un itself and she was helpless to stop it She didn’t want to see another child go through life without a real family, without love
Ephrai hand into his "Eleanor, she’s not Emma She’s not Emma"
Eleanor looked so lost "Eleanor, she’s not sixteen and she’s not alone You kno s around with I wanted to marry her anyway You need to know that she will be taken care of and want for nothing in this world Our child will grow up in a loving home with both parents We will never hurt our child the way Emma hurt Madison Do you understand?"
"Yes," she whispered
"You,to stay right here and be a faether I promise you I will be the father to all four children that they deserve"
Eleanor gave hiood father to theood for the kids to have a goodthe best part"
"Oh?" She looked confused
"This will be the first grandchild you get to hold as a baby since Madison The first of ht shot through her She sucked in a deep breath "That’s right" She grinned hugely "Can I help with the nursery?" Her eyes brightened with excitement
Ephraim pressed a kiss to the back of her hand "I’m sure you, Madison and Jill will do a splendid job"
"Oh, there’s so ot to call the girls so we can start on baby blankets and clothes"
"You can’t do this! She can’t have a baby!" Enored her as she left the roo a baby!" the older woman cried happily He heard all the air rush out of Madison’s lungs froave her
"And a wedding! Don’t forget the wedding!" Ephraiet that part He was sure Madison would come around eventually
"I’!" Eleanor said as she hurried to the kitchen no doubt where she would beseveral dozen calls
"Ephrai!" Emma shrieked
He turned his attention on her "Oh, what don’t I know?" His voice was deceptively calood" She pushed her thick dyed blonde hair back over her shoulder She spoke in a cal manner "She’s done this before"
"Excuseand unexpected
Candy nodded syical liar It pains htenand wondered how long it would take her to calm down before she stor I wouldn’t have to, but apparently she’s got you under her spell" She sauntered over to the couch and sat down He took the seat Eleanor vacated minutes earlier and waited
"Since she was very young I’ve had to deal with her proble She would steal and I would have to of course cover for her Things got bad when she hit puberty She slept around with every boy she encountered Soon she began drinking and doing drugs"
"I have never seen her take some much as a sip of alcohol since I’ve known her," he pointed out sharply