Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132892 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 664(@200wpm)___ 532(@250wpm)___ 443(@300wpm)
They were so in love.
Carrie walked in from the kitchen, looking me over.
“You look good,” she said. “But don’t let Gage kiss you. That’ll ruin your makeup. Sadie is here, along with Janelle. They’re in the kitchen. She asked if she could see Joy before she goes out.”
Gage raised one scarred brow, a souvenir of a brutal attack he’d survived seventeen years ago, but he didn’t comment. It’d been an open adoption. Strained at times, but we’d done our best to give Joy a good life, and part of that had been realizing that Sadie had a role to play, even if she couldn’t be her mother.
“I’ll go check with her,” I said, heading up the stairs.
Joy was in our bedroom, surrounded by her bridesmaids as she twirled, showing off her gown in the standing mirror I kept in the corner.
“Hey Mom,” she said happily as I walked in. “I can’t believe it! Is it time yet?”
“Almost,” I said, smiling. “But I need to talk to you first. Girls, can you give us a minute?”
The gaggle scattered, giddy with excitement. Joy turned to me.
“If you want to talk about sex, Enrique and I have been sleeping together for three years,” she said dryly. I rolled my eyes.
“No. I wanted to let you know that Sadie Baxter is downstairs. Along with her mother, Janelle. They were hoping to see you before the wedding. I said I’d ask.”
Joy grew thoughtful, and she cocked her head at me. “You know that you’re my mother, right?”
“Of course,” I said, smiling. “I also know she gave birth to you, and she still loves you. But it’s your wedding day and you should get to make your own choices. Just tell me what you want and I’ll make it happen.”
Joy nodded slowly.
“I think it’d be okay,” she said. “But I’d like you to stay in the room. Is that all right?”
“Of course, baby. Whatever you need.”
With that, I left to find Carrie waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
“Send them up,” I told her. Minutes later, Sadie and Janelle climbed up the stairs, meeting me in the hallway. Sadie looked good—she’d really made something of herself over the years. It’d taken a while, but once she got away from Hallies Falls things had started to come together. We’d helped her through college and now she had a good job as an accountant in Wenatchee.
“Thanks for this, Tinker,” she said. “I don’t want to horn in on your special day, but I really wanted to see her.”
I nodded, then knocked on the door.
“Come in!” Joy called, and I pushed it open. Sadie walked in and stopped, staring at the vision that was my daughter.
“You’re beautiful,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
“Thank you,” Joy said, smiling. “It’s almost time. Was there something in particular you wanted to talk about, or did you just want to say hello?”
Sadie laughed. “I was hoping you’d let me give you a present. Something old, unless you’ve already got that covered.”
“There’s always room for more good luck,” Joy replied, and Sadie held out a jewelry box. Joy opened it, pulling out a small pin with a pretty, polished rock on it. It wasn’t anything special, and from the look on her face I could tell she was confused. So was I.
“I found that outside the hospital,” Sadie said, blinking rapidly. “The day after you were born. It was in the parking lot. I don’t think it’s worth anything, but I liked it. For a long time I kept it in my pocket. Sort of my way of remembering you. I’d rub it when I was feeling tired or sad, and think about all the amazing things you’d be able to do when you grew up. A few years back I took a jewelry making class and turned it into a pin. I realize it doesn’t go with your dress, but it’s just small. I was hoping that maybe you’d pin it under your skirts somewhere—just so a little piece of me could be with you when you walk down the aisle. You’re not my daughter, but I’ve never stopped loving you and I never will.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, and Joy shot me a look. I nodded, letting her know that it wouldn’t bother me.
“Would you like to help me pin it on, Sadie?” Joy asked, and Sadie nodded. Joy lifted her skirts, and Sadie knelt down next to her, fastening it to the petticoat underneath.
Then someone knocked on the door.
“It’s time,” Carrie said. “They’re all waiting for you.”
Joy gave me a sudden, panicked look and I laughed.
“You’ve been sleeping with him for three years,” I reminded her, my voice echoing hers earlier. “I think you’ll be okay. Now let’s get downstairs before your father gets bored and decides to go for a ride or something.”