Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61868 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
West takes my hand in his, pressing featherlight kisses to my knuckles. "You'll always be safe with us."
Jack lifts my hair gently and nuzzles my neck. "Are you ready for us to keep you?" he asks. "Not just for a year, but forever?"
"Yes," I gasp.
His satisfied growl says it all.
And, as I lie between them, I realize that this is what it feels like to be home.
22
FINN
SWEET BABY BIRD
Laying eyes on Hallie for the first-time last night and witnessing Skye scooping up her tiny daughter is a moment that will be etched in my memory forever. Skye’s desperation and tension melted away in front of our eyes, and her tears were of love and joy rather than fear and anxiety.
Everything’s different.
Last night, she truly let go with us, and it was beautiful.
I guess the difference is trust, first and foremost.
And love.
When she came here, she had no one.
Now she has her baby back and the three of us to keep her safe.
We’re all connected.
It’s morning now, and we’re all watching Hallie sitting on her mom’s lap, tugging West’s beard with her chubby little hands. It’s heartwarming to witness the change in Skye and hear the sweet laughter. Our cabin is alive because of it.
The release of stress and tension is like a balloon bursting.
“Time for breakfast,” Jack says. He approaches the table with a plate overflowing with bacon, eggs, sausage, and toast. A feast for hungry men. In his other hand is a small pink plastic bowl that contains what can only be described as glop.
Skye lifts Hallie, places her on her hip, and carries her over to the table. We don’t have a highchair for her yet—we need to travel out of town to purchase one—so Skye sits at the table with Hallie on her knee.
I heap food onto my plate, ravenous after last night’s activities, and so does West, but Jack is focused on something else. He sits next to Skye, gently tucking a cloth into the neck of Hallie’s romper and feeds her the glop. She’s such a pretty little thing as she opens her mouth like a little baby bird, smacking her lips together as she consumes every spoonful.
Jesus. In a million years, I couldn’t have predicted the strength of the man’s paternal streak. He feeds Hallie breakfast with such tenderness and attention that I think he shocks himself.
So far, Hallie’s not showing any signs of missing Carter. She’s just so happy to be with her momma.
She’s like a mini Skye, and they even have the same scent: something warm, sweet and addictive.
I plant a kiss on Hallie’s chubby hand, and this time, it’s my turn to have my beard tugged as she giggles and babbles away.
I want to keep this little girl safe, always, and forever.
As we finish eating, there is a knock at the door. West strides over to open it.
Shona enters more confidently than the first time she crossed the threshold and searches for Skye and Hallie. When she sees them, her face lights up, and she strides across the room to kneel next to Skye.
Hallie immediately recognizes Shona and reaches for her, babbling about something we can’t decipher.
Shona touches her hand gently. “There you are, baby girl. Back where you belong.”
Skye beams and Hallie tugs the messy cloth from her neck, finished with her breakfast.
“Are you hungry?” West asks. “Jack went overboard on the food today.”
“I’ll take some coffee, black,” she says.
As we sit around the table, talking and laughing at Hallie’s baby talk and her love of beards, no one mentions Carter or what happened at Reggie’s.
It’s like it never happened, but it did.
Sometimes, we need to face up to our past, but sometimes, it’s better to leave it buried.
We’re drawing a line in the sand. The rest of our lives start today.
After an hour, Hallie begins to fuss and arch her back, ready for a nap already.
“I should go.” Shona rises from the table and scoops up her bag.
“Where will you go?” Skye asks her.
“I’m thinking the West Coast. Somewhere hot. I’m done with the cold winters.”
“I’ll miss you,” Skye says, bouncing Hallie to keep her calm. “Hallie will miss you.”
Shona smiles sadly but makes her way to the door. “Be safe,” she says.
“We will.” Jack tugs open the front door, and Shona turns to smile at us all, raising her hand in a simple wave.
She pulls a woolen hat from her purse and tugs it onto her head. Then, with a simple nod, she leaves.
Skye disappears to put Hallie down for a nap, probably because she’s upset. Shona’s a friend, and it’s hard to say goodbye.
I watch through the window as Shona climbs into her Toyota and drives away.
The last thread connecting Skye to her old life snaps.
It’s December first, and Jack insisted on driving us all into town. Hallie’s wrapped up snug in her stroller, and Skye is wearing an adorable pink fluffy hat that West bought her last week. The stores on Main Street are adorned with lights and festive decorations. Even Reggie has strung some lights around his bar.