Novels by Eileen Pryce

RUBY"Today we found a kitten in the schoolyard," Austin began, starting storytime with Wyatt. This had become a regular occurrence since Wyatt requested it weeks ago, though it had shifted to a video call. It always started right after dinner and could end minutes or hours later. If Austin insisted on talking more, they would continue until bedtime."Oh, really?" Wyatt asked, curiosity flickering despite the tiredness on his face. "What does it look like?""It's cute and has orange fur like Garfield," Austin mentioned, referring to a character on the cartoon he watched. "But it's small, Uncle, and it looks weak. The voice is also tiny. The meowing sounds like crying, too." He described the best possible.Wyatt nodded. "It must be left after being born.""Miss Khan said so." Miss Khan was one of the teachers. "But Uncle, why is the mother being bad by leaving it alone?"Well, the question time came again. Austin had asked the same thing on our way back home from school before. The sto

WYATTI was aware that Foster had spread a nasty rumor about us. About me having an affair with Tina, causing me to divorce Ruby. Even far before that, they told people that Logan had set up marriage with Foster--Tina and me--which died down when I married Ruby. Still, they kept whispering that I was actually in love with Tina, and I just made fun of Ruby. And when the divorce happened, it was like a confirmation of their crazy theory.Then why did I let it happen?I didn't. Every time people ask about Tina and my relationship, Logan always replies the same way. Logan never intended to tie the knot with Foster, aside from the business matter. It was getting worse since the incident, and my family learned the truth. We cut off any kind of relationship with Foster. We even requested not to include Foster at the same event we attended.It should be like that, even though sometimes it didn't go according to plan. Tonight was an example."Tina Foster here."I heard Bugh clear, so my head s

WYATT"We arrive, sir," Ron said from the driver's seat after the car came to a complete stop. We were in front of a five-star hotel, one of the best in the world, which unfortunately wasn't part of Logan. And we were here not for a meeting or any related work — or, yes, if you consider the party as part of it. After all, attending a party was part of work, so it could be called a business party.I nodded in acknowledgement. "Text me if you start feeling bored," I uttered as I opened the door. A hotel staff member soon approached me.Ron chuckled. "Why should I feel bored, sir? It's a party," he replied, clearly knowing what I meant. Still, he went with his act."I don't know. Maybe because it's a boring party," I replied. Then I stepped out of the car without waiting for his response. But I could hear him laugh before he followed me and left the car key with the hotel staff."I will stick with you at this party until it ends," Ron spoke beside me. A smile already plastered on his fac

RUBYI didn't expect Susan to come to my store. But here she was. Alone and beauty. Even at nearly sixty, she looked radiant."Why are you alone? Where is John?" I asked after she was done with her order. We sat on a bench, designated for customers to wait for their turn or take a quick break before or after ordering."He is at home, playing with plants. He loves gardening."No wonder there were many plants in their house. It made it look green and relaxing."How about you? What's your hobby?" I asked again as I began enjoying my cookie. I knew she wasn't here only for the cookies. So I took one to accompany me while talking to her."I love sewing. When Brian and Daniel were kids, I loved making their clothes.""Really?" I was a bit taken aback. It was pretty rare to find someone who had such a hobby. At least I rarely saw one. Sewing requires many things: a machine, a large workspace, the material, and dedicated time, effort, and focus. "You must be great then. It is difficult to pro

RUBYI tapped my phone screen twice, and then again to turn it off after seeing nothing but the clock and weather forecast. It was almost nine on a sunny morning. No notification, text, or call—not even one from the person I kept checking for.Who was I waiting for?Wyatt.Yes, Wyatt.Not that I was waiting for important news or anything, like that he had arrived in New York safely. I couldn't see myself doing that, though. My day would go wonderfully as usual with or without him.However, this morning differed. Since Wyatt left my house, I had felt agitated and unable to focus. The reason was none other than Harry. I couldn't stop thinking about what happened.I was dying to know Harry's reaction after seeing me. What did he feel about it? Was he disappointed in me?And the only person who could draw these informations was Wyatt. Still, nothing from him.I let out a heavy sigh, then shifted my attention to the big bowl of cookie dough. I was weighing each piece of it."I don't know o

RUBYMy mind refused to work after hearing what Wyatt said. Someone from our past would visit me. It was against the deal.But it was Harry. Everyone knew his reputation—he never revealed secrets. His presence alone was enough.Still, he would see me, and I wasn't sure how to react to him.Wyatt seemed to read my mind because he then uttered, "Don't worry. I've asked him to wait outside and call me when he arrives."Hearing that, I should have felt at ease, right?However, my feelings were far from relieved. Instead, guilt enveloped me. Harry was a good man. Being with him reminded me that there was still the ordinary Ruby behind Mrs Logan, and I could show my true self without being afraid of being judged.Unfortunately, just as I had to leave others I loved from my past life without a word or a goodbye, I had to leave him the same way. And now Harry would be in front of my house, which I believed he didn't know was mine."You dont need to greet him," Wyatt said again, forcing me to

Anna peered through the common bathroom door on the first floor before stepping out casually as if nothing had happened. She walked past Dave, who was sitting on the couch in their living room and reading a report on his tablet, with Zach crawling on the floor."Zach, baby, come here." She called for Zach's attention, which was never hard to get. "Let's play outside."And his reaction was predictable. He was running toward his mother excitedly. His smile was so big that it was going to explode.Being a child seemed fun, didn't it?She followed him, running out of the house to their yard barefoot. She couldn't help her own smile from forming on her face at seeing him and another happiness she had just found out about today.She was pregnant with their second child.But be quiet. Anna wanted to make a surprise for her husband.Oh, she couldn't wait to see his reaction!"Zach, come here. Mommy wants to say something to you."Zach halted his running to look at his mother with an indescrib

Three years later.She watched everything. Their every move, laugh, giggle, scream, and more. She couldn't help but grace a wide smile over that. It was too good to be true. But it was what that was as it was the reality.Baby Zach was now three years old and in his active days. He had run on every corner of the house and was always excited to run outside.Although it tired their body from following him around, she didn't complain, especially Dave. He always had the energy to play with him and never ran out of ideas. He raised their child with all his heart.She shook her head to force herself back to her place. She couldn't only observe them all the time, as she needed to finish the cookie dough.Zach had the exact liking as hers for sweets. So she tried to be the best mom by baking them instead of buying them outside or ordering chefs to make them. It was cheaper and could adjust to her family preferences, which she wanted, not too much sugar.As Dave said, sugar was a killer.She

"Hi, baby boy. I'm happy you're awake, and I can hold you. Your mother must feel the same way. But she's resting now, so let's not disturb her and play with me instead." His voice was laced with happiness as his eyes flitted the same feeling. There was nothing happier than this moment when he finally held baby Zach. And the fact that he was born healthy was wonderful. It could be perfect if his wife's recovery went well.Baby Zach wriggled his tiny hands and managed to capture Dave's finger. He gripped it though his eyes were still closed. Baby Zach might sense familiar and safe, so baby Zach didn't cry, which made Dave's heart swell with pride and warmth. Only his touch could do that, and he couldn't be more proud of that."What do you think about this world? It's amazing, isn't it? You have me, your mother, and your entire family by your side. And in the future, you will find your own friends."Baby Zach was just quiet, and if his grip was not still on his finger, Dave might have th

A few months later.Anna was closing drawers after checking what was inside was still inside.It might be confusing. The point was Anna had just finished looking at their baby’s needs, such as clothes, diapers, socks, blanket, and more. She wanted to make sure everything was ready when the time came, which was soon. Her due date should be this week, and she couldn’t be more excited to finally welcome their baby.She moved to the only bed in the room. It was big and had four wooden walls on four sides to protect the baby from falling. And it was the one Dave said could accommodate her body while breastfeeding their baby. She even could sleep on it too.Her hand touched the doll on the nearby side and placed it neatly between another doll and the pillow. She had some, mainly cute animal characters, to accompany him while he was sleeping.Yes, him. Their baby was a boy.“Do you like it, honey? It’s nice, right? Your father prepared them for you.” She spoke as her hand caressed her so big

"I saw everything, Anna. I know what you hide behind your back." His eyebrows raised as if waiting for her to reveal it by herself. There was no point in hiding it anyway since it was why he approached her. He already saw her enjoying the ice cream!"What do you mean?"So she was going to play with him. Unfortunately, he didn't want to pretend that he did not see that. "The bowl. Ice cream."And she could only force a grin."Come here." His hand reached out to invite her to come near him."No. You will scold me.""That means you know you were doing wrong. How many bowls have you had?""Hmm. Five?""Count it correctly, honey.""Okay. Okay. Nine." She raised both her hands in the air and surrendered herself."No, honey. The bowl in your back is the eleventh."He actually didn't have a problem with her enjoying the ice cream. But Anna liked overeating, and she might have more if he didn't watch her."Good job Dave. She needs to be more careful with her health." Rebecca, standing beside h

Finally, the day they had been waiting for came. It was hectic but also fun. Their friends and families gathered together to celebrate the happy day. What was more pleasing than that?The vow went well. Although Anna felt more nervous, everything was perfect this time compared to the real one. Her father led her to the altar and handed her to Dave, which generally did at a wedding ceremony. And she and his husband stated their vow again and became husband and wife one more time.And to make it perfect, he sealed their vow with a kiss on her lips. Then cheers and applauses filled the hall.It was indeed a favorable moment. And it lasted until night."It's a pleasure to finally meet the newest Mrs. Byrne." Alexander greeted Anna and took her hand to land a quick kiss, like how a gentleman met a lady for the first time. "My name is Alexander Green.""Oh!" Anna couldn't help but show her surprise. She heard a lot about him from Dave, but this was the first time they met in person."Based