"Thanks," I replied, smiling.
"Well, I just stopped by for a second," she said. "I gotta get to work. Don't let me be part of what stresses you. I'm here. For both of you."
Annie stood up, and I walked her to the door, wrapping my arms around her and kissing her before she left.
As I watched her leave my house, I knew that it wasn't Addison who would have a problem with Annie. She would love Annie. It would be Heather.
17
Annie
As I stood in the mirror, checking my outfit, I still had a hard time believing that Richard had a daughter. It made me feel better about our relationship, though. Ever since that night at dinner, where he kept flowing in and out of our conversation, I suspected that he wanted to break-up.
Yet, as I admired my pink sundress and wedge sandals, getting ready to meet Richard and Addison, I had never felt so secure in our relationship.
I got into my car and headed to the lake, which was where Jake and Julianna had spent a romantic evening before meeting us for breakfast the following morning. The property had belonged to their parents and had stunning views of River Valley. I packed a bathing suit just in case we decided to go for a swim, too.
Even though I wasn’t upset at Richard for keeping Addison a secret from me those past few weeks, I was a bit concerned about Heather. She wouldn't let him have any alone time with Addison, and our day at the lake was the first time she wouldn’t be there to supervise. Heather sounded controlling and narcissistic.
My pink convertible turned left onto the road that led to the lake, and it couldn’t have been a better day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, birds were chirping all around us, and I could smell charcoal from the grill. After eating protein bars and grilled chicken salads that week, I was looking forward to some hamburgers and hot dogs.
From what Richard had told me about Addison, she was a stereotypical little girl who loved playing with dolls. So I took it upon myself to pick her up the latest Barbie, complete with a few outfits. It reminded me of how much Caley had loved playing with her Barbies at that age.
I made my way over to the lake, where Richard was sitting with Addison, and instantly remembered more about Heather from seeing her at a party several years ago. Even though she was the spitting image of her father, Addison resembled her mother a bit as well.
Richard and Heather never seemed to be a good couple. Despite practically swimming in money, he was always the more down to earth one. Sure, he enjoyed designer clothes and top of the line appliances. But Heather couldn’t be bothered to help other people, whereas Richard was continually donating money to charities.
Julianna had told me about one fight that stood out to me. Richard had donated fifty-thousand dollars to help a local homeless shelter. The amount of money it was receiving from the county barely covered its bills. As a result, many homeless people often went without having more than one meal per day, if that.
When Heather found out, she chastised Richard for giving too much money to ‘people who refuse to help themselves.’ She had brought it up over dinner at a restaurant, and he was utterly mortified. Richard told Jake that when they got home, Heather complained that he could have started his own company for that amount of money.
My biggest concern was Heather confronting me about our relationship, and that she wouldn’t want me anywhere near their daughter. That would be my worst nightmare.
I watched Richard and Addison playing together, and it was apparent that she had become the center of his world. I would have to be the bigger person when it came to Heather and go out of my way to prove that I could be a better mother figure. There was a good chance that she’d have a problem with me.
As I got out of my car, I reassured myself that no matter what, Richard would stick up for me.
“There’s Annie,” Richard said to Addison.
She stood there, waving and smiling at me with her little crooked front tooth, also wearing a pink sundress.
“We’re wearing the same color!” Addison ran over to me, and I instinctively bent down to hug her.
She reminded me so much of Caley at her age. “We sure are, sweetie. How are you?”
She pulled back and smiled at me, this time only a few inches from my face. There was no mistaking who her father was at such an up-close view.
“I’m hungry,” she said, “but Daddy says that I can’t eat until lunch. We’re having burgers and hot dogs!”
I laughed at her enthusiasm as Richard walked over to us.
“Well, before we eat lunch, do you want to go swimming?”
She nodded her head, then ran back over to Richard. He lifted her sundress, and underneath she was wearing a pink bathing suit.
“Can I use the guest house to change?” I asked.
“Of course.” Richard pointed toward the front door.
