Dawn of Eve, MJ Howson [lightweight ebook reader TXT] 📗

walls and ceiling, interspersed with twinkling stars.

Jacob followed Dawn into the room and stopped beside the crib. Eve lay nestled inside beneath a white cotton blanket, its eyes closed. Dawn reached in and adjusted the blanket, tucking it tighter around the doll’s body.

“Jacob, this is Eve.” Dawn ran her fingers through the doll’s curly copper hair and adjusted the bow. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

Jacob’s eyes darted back and forth between Dawn and the doll. “So, instead of a cat, you got a doll?”

“You make it sound so cheap.” Dawn picked Eve up and cradled it in her arms, causing the doll’s eyes to click open. “Look at that face. And her hair.” Dawn slid her fingers in the folds of the doll’s dress and retrieved the locket. “And look. She came with this.”

Jacob palmed the necklace and rolled it across his fingers. He slid a fingernail against the clasp, and Dawn yanked his hand away.

“Don’t! You’ll break it.”

“What’s the W for?”

“I don’t know.” Dawn began to sway back and forth, rocking the doll in her arms. The rhinestones on the edging of Eve’s dress twinkled softly. Dawn looked at Jacob and smiled. “See? Won’t I make a great mother?”

Jacob crossed his arms across his chest. He said, “Just as long as you know a doll isn’t the same as a baby.”

“Of course.” Dawn kissed Eve on the head and gently returned the doll to the crib. She tucked Eve beneath the blanket and took Jacob by the hand. The doll’s eyes remained open. “But it’s truly lovely having her here.”

“Why did you give her the same name you were planning for the baby?”

“I didn’t. The store owner told me that was her name. And her birthday was around the time our baby was to be born.”

“Birthday? Sounds like a scam artist to me. Did she tell you your fortune, too?”

Dawn ignored Jacob’s question and said, “The birthday’s on the back of the locket.”

“Really?” Jacob peered into the crib and flipped the locket over. His eyes widened when he read the inscription. “Okay, that’s kind of weird.”

“No, Jacob. It’s fate.” Dawn led Jacob back to the door. She stopped in the doorway and said, “I already know what you’re going to say. But, I was wondering if maybe you . . . you could spend the night. I’m . . . I’m sure you have clients in the–”

“I don’t. And yes, I’d love to spend the night with you.”

Dawn tilted her head back and looked up into Jacob’s mesmerizing brown eyes. She ran her fingers across his stubbled chin and against the scar that ran through his lips. “I’ve missed you so much.”

Jacob bent down and kissed Dawn deeply. Dawn slid her arms around his shoulders and allowed herself to collapse in his embrace. He moved her into the hallway and over to the staircase.

“Let me turn off the nightlight,” Dawn whispered. “I’ll meet you upstairs.”

Dawn watched as Jacob ascended the spiral staircase. She walked back into the nursery and paused beside the crib. Ribbons of light danced across her face as she stared at the motionless doll. Dawn leaned down and kissed Eve’s forehead, causing the doll’s eyes to snap closed. “I’m sorry, Eve, but you can’t sleep with me tonight. Jacob’s staying with me. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Dawn left the room, and Eve’s eyes clicked open.

Fifteen

Progress

Dr. Cole stared at the smartphone resting in his hand. The six-year-old device had seen better days. The shattered screen made the touch functions hit or miss, and minor fractures covered the dull red plastic case. With all the wear and tear, he’d been unable to deactivate the phone’s vibrate function. He adjusted his glasses as he scanned the blurry notifications on the screen. A knock on his office door startled him.

“Yes?” Dr. Cole opened his top drawer and dropped his phone inside, placing it next to a newer pristine blue-cased cellphone.

The door opened, and his wife jutted her head inside. Luna bolted between her legs and ran into the room. Flo shook her head and said, “Miss Easton’s here, Winston.”

Dr. Cole looked down at his notepad and frowned. He’d been so wrapped up in playing with his phone that he’d forgotten to finish prepping for his session. He licked his fingertip and used his damp finger to flip through his notes. “Okay, you can send her in.”

Flo tracked down Luna and snatched the tabby into her arms. She went back to the waiting room, leaving the door open. Dawn stopped beside Flo and looked at Luna. Flo said, “Be careful. She sometimes scratches.”

Dawn briefly held her hand out toward the cat but then pulled it back. She looked at Flo and said, “Is this your only cat?”

“Miss Luna here is my little princess.” Flo kissed the top of the tabby’s head. “She used to have a brother, but we lost him two years ago.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I . . . I understand you don’t have any children. Can I ask why?”

Flo turned and looked at her husband. He wasn’t paying attention. She pulled Luna close to her chest and said, “The doctor will see you now.”

Dawn entered and closed the door behind her. She said, “Good morning.”

“Good morning, Dawn.” Dr. Cole grabbed a blank cassette and quickly labeled the tape–Easton-D 9/13/19 #8. He then fumbled to get it loaded into the old Panasonic recorder. As Dawn got closer, he asked, “Are you still okay with our current seating arrangement?”

“Yes. If that’s okay.”

“Of course. You let me know if you ever want to change things up.”

“Thanks.” Dawn tossed her full-length cream coat on a nearby chair and then took her usual seat across from Dr. Cole’s desk.

“How are you today?” Dr. Cole asked.

“I’m great.”

Dr. Cole snapped the lid to the recorder closed and looked at Dawn. She was wearing her usual lack of color–a white blouse with a black pencil skirt. Her crystal blue eyes popped against her pale skin. A ruby-encrusted brooch pinned to her chest caught