Free The Secret Wife by Susan Mallery

here.”
    “Interesting. All this time, I’ve always envied you.”
    Her eyes widened in surprise, but he turned away before she could ask any more questions.
    The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activity as he and the other staff members rounded up children from the audience and the cast and put them onto the bus. Twenty minutes later they pulled on to the private road that led to the orphanage.
    As they rounded the corner he saw that all the lights were on in the dining hall. Millie’s Mercedes was parked in front. As the bus pulled up, the older woman walked out and waved.
    “I couldn’t make the play, but I did want to help celebrate,” Millie said as Cole stepped onto the driveway. “There’s cake and ice cream for everyone.”
    He hugged her briefly. “I couldn’t make this place work without you.”
    “I know,” Millie said. “Don’t you forget it, either.” She turned her attention to the children. “Come on, come on. There’s plenty for everyone.”
    She led the way inside. Cole stayed out in the cooling night air and made sure all the kids got off the bus. Elissa was last and she carried a sleepy Shanna in her arms.
    “But I’m not tired,” the eight-year-old insisted, then yawned. “There’s cake ‘n’ stuff. I want some.”
    “I’ll save you a piece,” Elissa promised, giving Cole a quick smile. “I’m going to put this one in bed.”
    “I don’t wanna go to bed,” Shanna protested, leaning her head against Elissa’s shoulder and closing her eyes. “I always miss the fun stuff.”
    He didn’t want to think about how right she looked holding the young girl in her arms, or how much he wanted to walk with her to the dormitory and share the domestic scene. Before he could offer, Tiffany came over.
    “I’ll help you, Elissa,” the preteen offered. “Don’t worry, Shanna. I’ll make sure there’s still cake for you in the morning.”
    “Can I have it for breakfast?”
    Elissa rolled her eyes. “Don’t even think something that gross. Come on. Bedtime.”
    “It’s not your night to work,” he said. “I can do it.”
    “Don’t be silly. Go have fun with the other kids. I won’t be a moment.”
    He ducked into the dining hall because the alternative was to watch her walk away. It didn’t take long to get caught up in the celebration. After passing out cake and scoops of ice cream, he walked around the room, making sure everyone was having a good time. Before he could settle down himself and grab a piece of cake, Elissa was at his side.
    “You’ve got to come quickly,” she said, her eyes wide and dark with worry.
    “What’s wrong?” he asked as he signaled for one of the college students to take charge. He followed Elissa outside.
    “It’s Tiffany. She went into her room to get a sweater and when she didn’t come out, I went to check on her.” Elissa walked quickly, twisting her hands together as she talked. “She’s curled up on her bed, sobbing. She won’t tell me what’s wrong. I don’t think she’s sick, but I’m not sure. She’s crying as if her heart is broken.” She pulled open the dorm door and headed for the stairs. “I know I probably should have been able to take care of it myself, but I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry.”
    He took the stairs two at a time. The orphanage had a doctor on call. If Tiffany was sick, Cole could call, or take the child directly to the emergency room. Had she eaten something bad? Was it the flu? Was it…
    He paused at the entrance to the room. Four girls about the same age shared it, but Tiffany was the only one in there now. She lay as Elissa had described her, curled up on her bed, sobbing as if her world had been destroyed.
    Each choking sob ripped through him, as did a wave of helplessness. What did he know about raising children? Who was he trying to kid? He was the last person who should be in charge.
    He was about to ask Elissa to try to talk to Tiffany again when he spotted the crumpled