Mommy in Training. Shelley Galloway

he was just as successful and worthy as they thought he was. Even though inside he didn’t feel worthy at all…just a fake.

      And then there was the whole Minnie thing. He found her attractive. He found himself thinking about her at odd times, in the middle of the night. Or in the morning, when he had a cup of coffee outside by Wanda’s pool.

      He wondered about his attraction to Paige’s little sister. Was it because she reminded him of Paige?

      Or because she was a link to the past?

      Or because he felt bad that the store he’d pushed into Crescent View was going to put her business in jeopardy?

      Or was it none of those things? Was he merely attracted to her because she touched something in him that made him feel valued and good inside, and worth more than his dad had ever guessed? He wanted her to need him. He wanted to be her protector.

      Minnie Clark, the darling of the neighborhood, her family and the town, still seemed so alone.

      Was he the only one who thought that was strange?

      Chapter Seven

      It was Back to School Night. A whole week had passed since the first day of school. And, like the Texas summers that hung with tenacity through August, Minnie felt as though her efforts to get a handle on things were never ending.

      With a frown, she tossed yet another sweater set and skirt on the bed and looked down at it. She needed to figure out why she was so nervous and change her attitude, fast. It wouldn’t do for Kimber to get a whiff of her vibe. She’d be sure to catch it and adopt a bad case of the shakes, too. Just like the flu.

      She knew what was wrong. Plain and simple, Minnie was nervous about being a parent and doing parent things. Hmm. Funny how knowing what the matter was didn’t help things in the slightest.

      Kimber rolled in with a stuffed bear. “Whatcha doin’?” she asked, hopping up on the rumpled bedspread.

      “Trying to get ready to meet Mrs. Strickland.”

      “She’s nice.”

      Forcing a smile, Minnie said, “I’m anxious to meet her. She’s going to tell me all about what you’ve been doing at school. I want to hear about your progress.”

      Kimber looked away before speaking. “I wrote my name and made a book.”