Free Make Me Forget by Jacqueline Anne Page A

counting on the time alone in July to edit the folder of book files she had sitting on her hard drive. How was she going to handle that pile of work and two boys who were always on the go?
    Celeste watched cartoon images race each other on the video game—Jackson more adept with the sensitive controls than Malcolm, even though he was the younger of the two. As she observed them joking and trading mild insults, her mind raced as to her next steps.
    It was too late for camps. She’d known that while talking on the phone with Charles. Most of the decent camps were full and those that had openings weren’t appropriate for boys aged eight and ten. Money wasn’t a huge object, but she wanted them to do something wholesome for the summer, not engage in overpriced activities that would leave them jaded to the simpler things in life.
    She left the boys to their game and wandered to the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of iced tea and took it out to the deck overlooking the pool. If she had her way, they’d stay at home with her, but how would she manage two active little boys and work too?
     
    * * * *
     
    “Get a nanny.” Lynn crossed her legs and took a delicate sip of her Cosmopolitan. Her pink tennis racket leaned against the wall behind her. A matching pink and white towel hung over the arm of her chair. “Go on one of those websites and order yourself one.”
    Celeste shook her head and tipped her glass to her lips. “I don’t like the idea of some girl I don’t know staying in the house.”
    Lynn fanned herself and lifted her braids off the back of her neck. The heat was killer at this time of day. “At this point, you can’t be too choosy. You’ve got a ton of work to do and no babysitter. Even someone who comes during the day would be a help.” She took another sip of her drink and glanced around the tennis club bar. “There’s no way that you can do quality work and run after those two little bundles of pure energy.”
    “But how does that look, me being home all day and hiring a babysitter?” Celeste twisted her silver and diamond bracelet around and around on her wrist. What kind of mother doesn’t take care of her own children?
    Lynn waved her hand in a pooh-poohing motion. “Who cares how it looks? Charles tossed this on you at the last minute—”
    “It was an emergency.” Celeste was careful not to bad-mouth her ex-husband. One never knew what would trickle down to her children’s ears.
    “Exactly. An emergency. He’s footing the bill right?” Lynn leaned forward then tapped the table with a candy pink polished nail, her hazel eyes bright with her idea. “You’d hire someone if you had a nine-to-five job, right?” She reclined in her chair. “Hire someone. Use Charles’ money. That’s what he gave it to you for. Then take the tax deduction for child day care.” She jumped up from the table and grabbed her racket. “Let’s play another set.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Celeste stared at the number she’d gotten from a mom in Jackson’s class and scribbled on her blotter. The mother had recommended the agency highly, but was doubtful that Celeste would be able to get someone on such short notice. After making a play date for Jackson, Celeste hung up the telephone and sat tapping her fingers on the inked digits.
    Hire someone. Lynn’s voice echoed in her head.
    Not live in . While the home had an in-law suite with a separate entrance from the house, she was antsy about having someone stay in her home. Privacy was a priority and to have a stranger invade her space would cause her much tossing and turning at night.
     
     
     
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About the Author
     
     
    Struggling through health issues, Jacqueline Anne discovered her love for reading romance. Writing then became her escape and in some ways, a depiction of her spirit. She enjoys creating strong female characters who overcome hardships, reflecting on some of her own adversities, trials and triumphs. The