Woven Wishes (Whispered Wishes Book 4) by Karen Pokras

music. I’ve been waiting all year for my turn, and then I found out I came closest to guessing the correct number of jellybeans in the giant jar on Mr. McKinley’s desk. So guess what I won?” She reached into her book bag and pulled out a giant sack of candy. “Yup, all the jelly beans. They’re mine now!”
    “Wow,” Tessa said, taking the enormous bag from her. “You really did have a great day. That’s wonderful, sweetie.”
    “Amazing,” Nicholas chimed in with a huge grin. “So just how many jellybeans are there?”
    “Eight hundred and thirty-seven. I guessed eight hundred and sixteen,” she stated proudly. “Only off by twenty-one.”
    “Impressive,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “This is definitely a day to remember.”
    “And it’s not even done yet, because now Mommy and I get to spend the rest of the day together and have movie night! I’ve been waiting all day. What are we seeing first? Hey, can we eat jelly beans while we watch?”
    Was this really happening? Did Scott really think he could just come and go as he pleased? She didn’t have to tell Sophie. She could hit delete and pretend the email never existed. Her daughter would never know. They could snuggle on the couch, watch movies, eat jellybeans, and have the perfect ending to the perfect day. Except … she’d know. It would forever hang over her head, and she’d never be able to forgive herself.
    “Honey, before we get started, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
    “Is this about the puppy?” Sophie asked, hopping up onto the couch to snuggle in close to Tessa.
    “No, we’ll have to save the puppy talk for another time. There’s actually something else we need to talk to you about.”
    “What is it?” she asked.
    Tessa looked up at Nicholas. Nothing could hurt them now. Their lives were secure. She had this amazing man who adored both her and her daughter. Even without his riches, he made their lives complete. The money, house, and other perks were nice, but they weren’t what mattered to Tessa. What mattered was that their lives were filled with an unconditional and unbreakable love. That alone was stronger than anything Scott could ever offer Sophie or try to take away from them. Still, just the thought of Scott’s email was enough to suck her back into a dark place she’d tucked away years ago. Tessa concentrated on Nicholas’ compassionate eyes and began to play with her daughter’s hair as she spoke. “Sweetheart, Aunt Holly and Aunt Ava told me you were asking about Scott yesterday.”
    “Yes,” Sophie said, a sadness pushing through the bubbly tone she’d had just seconds earlier. “I got upset at school when I was working on my family tree project and didn’t have anything to write next to Scott’s name. I mean, I know I have Nicholas, but I still don’t understand why my other dad isn’t around. Sally Hart’s mom got remarried, and her first dad still visits her every weekend. She asked me why mine didn’t, and then some of the other kids started teasing me about it.”
    “I’m so sorry that happened to you.” When Tessa pulled her in for a hug, she could feel her eyes starting to well up. “I’m sure if Scott could have been here he would have been,” she lied. She was always lying when it came to Scott, and it killed her to defend him. But in the end, she had only one goal: protecting Sophie from the pain of knowing her dad didn’t care enough about her to stick around. She was determined to meet that goal, no matter what.
    “I know, Mommy. It just makes me sad. You said one day he might come, and so far he hasn’t.”
    “Sophie, if Scott does come to Forest Hills, do you think you’d want to see him?” Tessa asked.
    “Of course,” her daughter exclaimed, her voice perking up again. “I would love that. I’ve been waiting so long.”
    It was the answer Tessa both expected and dreaded. Nicholas continued to look at his wife with kind eyes and a caring smile.