Where the Streets Have No Name
Chapter 111
Bella felt the swirling pain of humiliation shoot through her heart.
He didn't trust her with his daughter.
She was only trying to distract Ella so she'd stop crying. And it was working too. She knew she didn't have the credentials or formal training in childcare, but that didn't mean she was going to let any harm come to Ella.
"I'm sorry. I didn't realize..." Bella spoke with a downcast face. "Mom needed to load the laundry, so I told her I'd keep Ella company. She'll be back any second. I wasn't gonna... I wasn't gonna let anything happen to her. We were just playing..."
Confusion, and then remorse, flashed across Edward's face. He hadn't even noticed that Renee wasn't present until now. Then he snatched Ella away from Bella almost as soon as he got into the room.
Could he possibly muck things up any further?
"No, no. I didn't mean to suggest that you would. I'm sorry, this is all coming out wrong. I just didn't want Ella to be a bother to you. I apologize if I made you think differently. Ella looked really happy. That doesn't happen very often. Especially in the mornings.
"But you're a guest here. This is your vacation... of sorts. I just didn't want you to... uh, feel like you have to work," he said remorsefully.
Bella observed the frantic look on his beautifully pained face and couldn't help but believe him. She still didn't understand his objections. Not really. But it was clear that the prospect of hurting her feelings bothered him greatly.
Why would he be so apologetic about her spending time with Ella? Did he really think the only way anyone would want to play with her was if they were paid for it?
Yes, Renee cared for Ella for a salary, but she loved the little girl too. And she was beginning to understand why. Ella was demanding and willful, but she also had the most spectacular smile that made one forget the hardship in the blink of an eye. She could see herself falling love with Ella if she remained near her much longer. If she hadn't already.
"It wasn't any trouble. Really. She's adorable. I... I didn't think of it as work. But if you don't want me to, I'll respect that. I'll be gone soon anyway," she said. The thought of leaving came with a relief, as well as a pang of regret.
"I know. I just... I thought maybe Ella... I just didn't want Ella to take up the little time you have. She cries a lot. Most people get irritated fairly quickly. I'm... I'm-"
He couldn't finish his sentence as Renee entered the room with a shocked expression on her face.
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