Family. Not an outsider, an afterthought, or an employee.
Eve had called herfamily.Multiple times.
Her eyes watered, and her vision blurred. No one, not even her own mother, had ever taken the time to build the kind of trust necessary for her to feel safe and secure. For her to feel wanted and loved. Would she find that here? Would she even recognize it if she did?
Only time would tell. But right now—tonight—standing in the middle of a beautiful house and surrounded by more warmth than walls and a roof could provide, she very much wanted to find out.
“We can meet tomorrow to go over everything,” Eve said, patting Summer’s hand where it rested on the side of the bassinet. “We’ll figure out what we have, what we still need, and make a schedule. Work for you?”
Choked by the emotions flooding her chest, she couldn’t get any words out, so she nodded instead. Her head bobbing up and down in rapid agreement.
“Great. If you don’t need anything else tonight, I’m going to head to bed.”
“Oh, um, before you go…” She cleared her throat. “I was wondering about a name for the baby. It could be temporary until Jamie gets back, but I’ve read it can help with the bonding. The baby’s, that is.”
Eve grinned. “We thought about naming her but couldn’t agree on the right one. Any suggestions?”
“Gray mentioned her mother was from the South Pacific, so Halia, maybe?”
“That’s pretty. How did you come up with it?”
“It’s the heroine’s name in one of my favorite books. It means—in remembrance of a loved one.”
“Oh!” Eve’s hand shot to her chest, her palm resting over her heart. “That’s a perfect name for her. I love it, and I think Jamie will too.”
“Do you think he’ll be home soon?” Summer asked, curious about the man who’d left his little girl behind, and wondering what would happen to her when he did show up. Would she still have a job? A home? Safety and security? Or would it all be stripped away? Again.
“We’re not sure. But don’t worry about him too much. One way or another, we’ll still need you, and Halia will too.” She bent over to brush her lips against the baby’s soft cheek before straightening again. “We’ll figure things out and make any adjustments when the time comes. Sound good?”
“Yes. Sounds good. Thank you.”
“You ready for bed, princess?” Framed in the doorway, Adam looked a lot less intimidating when making googly eyes at his fiancée.
“Yes,” she said as they walked across the floor together. “Summer named the baby Halia.”
“Did she?” He took Eve’s hand and entwined their fingers.
“Yes, it means in remembrance of a loved one.”
“That’s kind of perfect,” he said, his gaze swiveling to her. “I like it.”
“Then Halia it is,” Summer replied, grinning like she’d won the lottery in addition to his approval.
“You have everything you need for tonight?” he asked, and she said yes. “Okay then. Make yourself at home, and we’ll see you in the morning.”
“Happy New Year, Summer!” Eve tossed a wave as Adam started to lead the way down the hall.
“Happy New Year to you too,” she called back, and after a wave of her own, she stepped back and closed the door. Quiet descended, and with it, a sense of peace and calm she didn’t often find with other people around.
She breathed deep. Felt the slow, steady beat of her heart. Then stifled a squeal as she took a running leap to land spread eagle in the middle of the bed.
Her bed.
One with clean linen. A multitude of down pillows. And enough surface space to sleep a family of five. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever thought she’d be this lucky.
She flipped over, hugged her arms tight across her chest, and with her insides overflowing with gratitude and hope for a better future, she looked at the vaulted ceiling.Please. Please. Please.She prayed, thinking it couldn’t hurt to ask for help in the luck department.Please let these people be normal in a quirky, freaking fantastic, non-cultish kind of way.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
