Three Wishes (Dreams Come True #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

her room and started reading our current book, A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I’m not sure who found our nightly ritual more relaxing, the five year old or me.  Soon enough, the questions began.
    “Can I have a monkey?” She smiled up at me with those pleading eyes, hands clasped over her chest.
    “No monkeys.” I rolled my eyes.
    “How about a kitten? Just one sweet cute little kitten?” She nuzzled against me and pretended to purr.
    “You know we can’t do that right now. When you’re better maybe.” I looked away in an effort to hide my fast accumulating tears. Already they threatened to spill over my bottom lid. Blowing out a breath, I stood quickly, jostling Ollie and wiping my eyes in one fluid motion.
    “Hey! I could’ve fallen.” She looked at me accusingly.
    “I’d never let you fall.” Turning, I put the book away on the shelf.
    Slowly, she lowered herself to the floor. “You could miss. Then the only thing that would make me feel better would be a kitten.” Ollie crossed her arms over her chest and made an exaggerated pouty face.
    “Please.” I rolled my whole head this time to remind her where her dramatic flair came from. “Time for bed, little one.” I jerked my head toward the bed.
    “What if I’m not tired yet? I’ve had a very exciting day.” She giggled.
    “You’re exhausting. It’s bedtime.” I lifted her into my arms and walked toward the bed. Together we dropped onto the mattress and I pulled up the covers.
    “Mama?” Ollie averted her eyes and pretended to concentrate on tracing the butterflies on her sheets.
    “What is it?” I held my breath. She was notorious for asking the tough questions when my guard was down right before bedtime.
    “I was wondering…” She looked up at me a moment, took a deep breath, then blurted out the rest of her thought. “Does daddy know I’m sick?”
    Expelling my breath, I tried to buy time for my answer. “Ollie, your daddy doesn’t even know you were born. How would he know you were sick?”
    For a moment, she avoided my eyes, but then suddenly, she stared at me with an intensity that broke my heart. “The news. Maybe he saw Ben’s movie.”
    I thought for a moment. “I doubt it. Your daddy didn’t really like the news. I’m sure he has a whole different life now. He might not even live in Montreal anymore.” I shrugged.
    “Tell me again. Tell me why daddy isn’t here.” Ollie settled in under her blankets.
    Gawd, I hated this story. There was no way to make Damien sound like a better guy. It was a terrible tale to tell even without explaining abortions and cheating. “Once upon there was a mommy who wanted a baby girl very much.”
    “That’s you, right?” She whispered it, same as always.
    I tickled her side and she giggled and wriggled beside me. “Of course, who else would it be?”
    Satisfied with my answer, she closed her eyes and waited for me to continue. “More please.”
    “So the mommy went to the doctor and found out she was having a baby.”
    “The baby was me, right?”
    I nodded. “Who else would it be, silly?”  She closed her eyes and yawned this time. “She was so excited to rushed home to tell the daddy.”
    “Only he wasn’t ready yet. Right, Mama?” Ollie shifted onto her side, her favorite sleeping position.
    “Right. So the daddy went to get ready. He still had a lot of growing to do.” I hated this part. It was far from the truth. Hell, it was a downright lie. I never wanted to lie to my daughter.
    “Maybe he’ll come find us. Maybe he’ll be ready since I’m five now, almost six.” She clasped her hands under her chin.
    “I don’t know, Olls. I don’t think you should wait for him.” I hugged her once, extra long before sliding off the bed.
    Rolling toward me, she asked, “You’re waiting for him, aren’t you?”
    Shaking my head vehemently, I frowned. “Not at all. Why would you think that?”
    “I’ve never seen any boys around you. Maybe a doctor