The Switch by Heather Justesen Read Free Book Online

trembled as he held her to him.
    “Do you really think I’m not your daughter?” The thought made her heart sore. Hadn’t she endured enough already? How could this be happening?
    He was quiet for a long moment, then shifted back from her so he could look her in the eye. “I don’t care who your biological father is. You’re my daughter.”
    That soothed part of her pain away, but inflamed the rest of her worry. He really didn’t think he was her father. He thought her mother had stepped out on him. Of course, Mona had apparently given him reason to doubt her word, she admitted to herself. Still.
    “I better let you get to bed before you become sick.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I love you, honey.”
    “I love you too, Dad.” Tears flooded Tia’s eyes and she fought to stay in control. She watched her dad walk out into the night, pulling the door closed behind him. Tia took something for her head, then moved to put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher, wrap what remained of the fire truck cake she had made, and prepare for bed. She moved in a haze, the pain and shock slowing her movements. Her stomach rolled and her head pounded and she could still see lines and squiggles in her vision, but she pressed on—someone had to.
    Nichole came out of the girls’ room and joined Tia in the living room. “I don’t know how long they’ll stay there, but they’re asleep for now.”
    “Thanks.” Tia fought to stay upright. “I appreciate it. I better get to bed before I puke.”
    “All right. Let me know if you need anything else,” Nichole said before leaving.
    She was such a lifesaver, Tia thought as she slid into bed a minute later, praying the girls would sleep through the night, and she’d feel better in the morning.

Seven
    The phone rang again, but noticing her mother’s number, Tia ignored it and guided the stroller around the emergency preparedness fair. She was not taking Mona’s calls. Not right now when she needed strength and endurance. She texted her mom saying she wanted time to think, and please not to call anymore.
    The struggle with the truth—her parents had split up because mother had cheated on her father, and Ron may not be her biological father—was more than Tia could bear. Then an evil little voice whispered that Mona could be telling the truth. If she was, did it mean Tia wasn’t their child at all? She pushed the thought away as soon as it came, not wanting to consider the possibility. It was so far-fetched.
    Instead she’d moved through the day taking care of other things. Tomorrow would be soon enough to face her questions.  
    Tristi spilled juice down the front of her shirt and started to fuss, Samantha tripped over a cord that had been taped down on the floor. But she popped back up, her eyes still wide with excitement at all of the booths around her. She had a butterfly painted around her right eye and a purple balloon on a string as they wended their way through the crowd from booth to booth, picking up tips for severe weather safety.
    “Look, Mom,” Samantha said, pointing. “The ambulances and fire trucks!”
    Tia smiled wanly, already wishing they were done for the day and she could take a nap. “Let’s go check them out.”
    They peeked into the back of a truck marked “Tender” when Tia saw movement and looked up to see Danny stop beside her, wearing his uniform. “Hi,” he greeted her. “I hoped I’d see you here today.”
    “Hello.” Tia felt a small flutter in her chest at his smile. She noticed Samantha glance up and catch sight of him, the look of hero worship clear in her face. She waved from Tia’s other side and he greeted her.
    “You never came by to check out the ambulance,” he whispered to Tia.
    “We’ve been really busy.”
    “I’m sure you have.” He stuffed his hands in his back pockets. “You look tired.”
    That’s because I haven’t slept much in three days. She wasn’t about to say it, though. It would only encourage