The Secret Baby

Chapter One

Keeping the identity of your child's father a secret in a small town tends to earn you a reputation. I live in a small town in Kentucky, where everyone knows everyone. It's not that I don't know who my daughter's father is, it's the fact that he and I were a secret. He's two years older than me, but I was only 16 when we met. Now, I'm a twenty year old cashier, single mother of a two year old, and her father doesn't know she exists.

My best friend Josie, is the only person in this town who truly knows who Ashtyn's father is. My parents have been begging me to tell them the truth since they learned I was expecting, but I couldn't risk it. He became a director and moved to California when he graduated high school. After he moved, I found out that I was pregnant. I haven't heard from him since. I was madly in love with him, so when I learned he was still talking to his parents and his best friend, but not me, it hurt. 

I live in a two bedroom house, alone with my daughter. She's growing up fast, and doing everything myself is exhausting. I work lunch and evenings, and wake up with her every morning around 4 am every day. When my parents take her, I get a little extra time to sleep. Josie on the other hand, is a bartender and works nights.

"Hey, Charlotte whats the update today?" Josie called as she walked into my house. Josie came to watch Ashtyn today, while I work.

I walked out of the bathroom adding my necklace to my outfit. "She just ate breakfast before going down for her nap. When she wakes up, she's going to want lunch. Also, she's cutting another tooth so be aware she might spike a fever. Which also means she has a rash, just put fresh cream on every diaper change."

"This poor kid, is she almost done cutting teeth?" Josie sighed.

"Doctor said it looks like she will have all her teeth after this, because these are her two-year molars coming in. She's barely sleeping because of the pain. You know how much Tylenol to give her when she needs it, right?"

"I got it momma. Aunty Josie has her munchkin, you go to work." Josie said, taking a seat on the couch. I handed her the baby monitor and headed out the door. 

I drove ten minutes to work listening to the radio. I stepped out into the parking lot greeting my boss, Noah, on my way in the back door. I checked in with the baker and opened the display case in the front of the store. By the time Noah unlocked the front doors, the normal Friday morning work crowd came in. Couples came in to have a coffee before going their separate ways. I made my way to the lined up orders stuck to the top of the display case, and started serving people.

"Charlotte, you're looking good tonight." Declan, one of our regulars called out. "When are you going to let me take you out?"

"Declan, we both know you're married to your work." I laughed as I handed him his dark coffee. Declan was the town flirt, but was a happily married man. 

"How's your little girl doing?" Lydia asked as I approached her table. Lydia is the town's local realtor and helped me find my house.

"Doing good. Turns two in three weeks." I replied, setting her food down.

"Wow. How time flies." Lydia smiled as I moved through the crowd.

"Charlotte, remember the band is coming in at 11." Noah called out from the office. I nodded as I went behind the counter to pour some more drinks.

This is a crazy morning. A local band is coming to play, which tends to draw a bigger crowd. Hudson is taking care of the display counter, but I'll deliver drinks to my regular customers to help him out. The kitchen is crazy busy in the back as I go to grab food that my customers ordered.

"Table two just got new customers. They look new." Noah told me as I walked past the cash register.

"Great. I need a cappuccino and a flat white." He placed the drinks on my tray as I lifted it off the table and walked over to table twelve.

I walked over to table two and saw two boys talking. "What'll it be boys?" I asked in my usual manner.

"How about two black coffees, and a side of you." One of the guys answered, grabbing my ass. I pushed him away with a glare.

"Two black coffees coming up. Touch me again and I'll have you kicked out of here." Hudson called Noah out of his office to come and observe the situation. Noah has a zero-tolerance policy for rowdy customers. He always has my back. I went back and made drinks.

"Excuse me, can I get three coffees with cream and sugar?"A familiar voice called out from over the display. It's been almost two years since I heard that voice, and it still had the same effect on me.

"Coming up!" Hudson answered, going and pouring the drinks. I grabbed my tray of drinks and headed back over to table two, giving Hudson a smile.

When I got to the table, a few more guys had shown up. I put the drinks down with a smile. The man from earlier decided he was going to slap my hip as I began to walk away. I spun around and punched him in the face. Noah walked over and escorted him out of the building.

"Charlotte, you know punching customers isn't smart." Noah scolded with a smile. "Are you good, or do you need a minute?"

"I'm fine. Despite my reputation, I'm here to sell coffee and food, not myself." I snapped back. I went to the kitchen to grab more food. I continued my rounds, as the band began to set up. "Hudson, any idea where all these out of towers are coming from?" I asked as I grabbed drinks and sat them on my tray.

"No idea, but try not to punch anymore. Noah will send you home if you do, you know better." Hudson warned. I rolled my eyes as I walked away.

The band started playing and the rest of my shift continued without incident. The usual customers all began to leave, going home or going to work. I made my way over to a table with dish's left over from customers. When I almost ran into him, Jaxon Kelly. 

"Sorry." He smiled as he helped steady my tray.

"Thanks." I mumbled as I continued on my way.

"Charlotte?" Jaxon called as I loaded the tray.

I spun around with a smile "That's me, How are you?" It was hard to pretend I wasn't out of sorts, after not seeing him for so long.

"I'm good." He replied. "Wasn't expecting to see you in here, never mind working as a barista." 

"Barista, dishwasher, cashier, whatever needs to be done on the evening shift." I replied. "Excuse me, I have tables to clear." I walked away to continue my shift. Nine p.m rolled around and the band began to pack up. I sighed when the music stopped playing, and my ears stopped buzzing.

When Hudson called for the last call, most of the customers cleared out. I finished my shift by cleaning all the tables, sweeping the floor, and then mopping. I walked out with Hudson as we went to our cars.

"Charlotte, I wanted to talk to you." Jaxon's voice called out. He walked over to me as I unlocked my car.

"There's nothing for us to talk about, Jack." I replied, opening my car door.

"I've missed you. I was hoping we could hang out for old time sake."

I laughed, "That ship sailed almost two years ago. I'm not interested."

"Word around town is that you're quite the tease. I was hoping you and I could get to know each other like we used to." He said, reaching for my waist.

"Don't believe everything you hear. Not everything is true." I snapped getting in my car. I pulled the door closed, started my engine and went home. 

At home, I took a shower and checked on my baby. She was sound asleep in her crib. I sighed as I walked into my room, and crawled into bed. It was midnight and I knew Ashtyn would be awake in a few hours. I closed my eyes trying to clear my mind from the events from earlier.