Free Finding Forever by Melody Anne

sleep very well last night. You see, I got stuck in the storm, and then the thunder kept me awake …” She trailed off at the innocent look on her niece’s face. Why was she trying to explain herself? Ally wouldn’t and shouldn’t have a clue about the kiss and more that her aunt and uncle had shared.
    Just the thought of her niece knowing anything about it horrified Whitney even more.
    “You promised to make a snowman with me today; remember?”
    “Yes, of course I do, baby girl. Why don’t you go and get snow clothes on? I’ll take a shower. Then we’ll have some breakfast and go outside.”
    Ally jumped from her bed, more than happy to accommodate her aunt now that she knew she was getting what she wanted. Whitney threw herself back on the pillows and took several deep breaths. She couldn’t keep staying in Felton territory. It was messing with her mind.
    But the thought of taking away the kids when they were doing so well made her heart ache. And the thought of leaving them there, even though she knew they would have a much more privileged life than she could give them — well, even knowing that, the idea almost made her heart stop.
    Closing her eyes wasn’t the best idea, though, because the second she did, all she could see was Liam’s face moving toward hers as he prepared to kiss her.
    “No. This isn’t going to happen. Today I won’t have inappropriate thoughts about Liam Felton. Not once,” she said as she climbed out of bed.
    Whitney finished her shower, dressed with warm clothes for the nasty day, and walked down the quiet hallway to search of Ally. She saw a group of the household staff at the large windows on the rear side of the home, and her curiosity drew her to the spot. One of the servants turned at the sound of her footsteps and gave her a welcoming smile.
    “Come join us, Ms. Steele,” the woman said.
    Whitney walked to the window and looked outside. It took her a moment, but she spotted Liam and Brayden riding on horseback in the lower pasture. Her heart swelled with joy when she saw Brayden’s face blossoming in a beautiful smile.
    He looked so at ease down there with Liam, and had the air of a budding young man; he no longer seemed like the angry little boy he’d become this last year.
    All her worries really were unnecessary. It was more than clear that she’d made the right choice in bringing the children to their grandfather’s home, even if her heart was breaking a bit each day at the thought that she might lose them to this family.
    No. It wasn’t about her; it was about their happiness and safety. And if being with their lost family was best for them, she’d somehow be able to accept that. She’d do anything to make sure her sister’s two children had the happiest possible life, filled with love, laughter, and opportunity.
    “It’s so good to see him smiling,” Whitney whispered.
    “Yes, I agree with you, Miss. It’s also nice to see that smile on Mr. Liam’s face. It’s been a very long time,” the maid said with a sheen of tears in her eyes. “I shouldn’t say this, but he was given so much responsibility after his brother left, and he’s taken that on his shoulders with no complaints. But I haven’t seen joy on his face in a long time. He really does like having you and the children here.”
    “Oh, I’m just along for the ride. This is all about the kids,” Whitney said with a laugh she didn’t feel.
    “You’ve brought a brightness to these cold walls that was really needed here, and we’re all thankful for that,” Mr. Smotter said as he joined them.
    Whitney hadn’t even heard the man approach. A blush spread over her cheeks.
    “You have all been so kind to me since I got here. I couldn’t ask for anything more than that. Thank you,” Whitney told them, and then she fled.
    If they’d said anything more to her, she might have fallen apart. And with Christmas not that far away, and with the happiness of her niece and nephew on the line, she