“Finding out I was alive had to have been a shock?”
“Yes. I’m still getting used to the idea,” Eve murmured.
Trisha squeezed her hand. “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Not right now. Patrick had told me about how Father caught us when you tried to run and took me. He kept you away with threats.”
“Yes, that’s right. I tried everything I could. I don’t know how many people I asked for help. They saw your father as this good reverend, and I was a slutty wife who left him for another man. At least that was what he was telling everyone.”
“How are you doing now?” Eve asked.
Trisha smiled. “I couldn’t be better. I get to talk to my daughter. I have a great job and a nice place to live. I can’t ask for more. How about you?”
Eve looked over her shoulder at Patrick and smiled. “I have a wonderful husband, good friends, and I’m able to see my mom.”
Trisha’s eyes welled up, and she smiled. “I’m delighted. You deserve happiness, sweetheart.”
She bent forward and hugged her mother. “You do, too.”
The woman hugged for a long moment before Trisha sat back and wiped her eyes. “I’d like to get together with you. Maybe for lunch or something.”
“I’d like that.”
“Let’s plan on next week. Right now, I have to get back to work,” Trisha said and stood.
Eve also stood and hugged her mother one more time. “I’ll see you soon.”
Trisha looked at Patrick. “You take care of my daughter,” she warned.
Patrick wrapped an arm around Eve’s waist. “Your daughter is my whole life. She’s my top priority. You never have to worry about her.”
Trisha nodded and smiled. At the door, she raised her hand. “See you soon.”
Eve exhaled and turned into Patrick’s arms. She closed he
r eyes and realized it would get better. She was coming to terms with the fact she’d missed out on so many years with the woman, but she now had a chance to get to know her.
“How are you doing, baby girl?” Patrick said against her head.
She leaned back and smiled up at him. “I’m doing good. I’m happy I saw her today and that you were here. It helped.”
“I’ll always be here for you.”
She went up on the tips of her toes and pressed a kiss to his chin. “And I’ll always be here for you.”
He squeezed her tightly. “How about we go home and have another swimming lesson?”
She nodded. “I’d like that. I know I’ve only had a few lessons, but I’m already feeling good about being in the water.”
“I think you’re doing great, but I still don’t want you by the pool without me. Got it?”
“Yes, daddy,” she said sarcastically and then grinned. She screeched when his hand came down hard on her ass.
“Respect, young lady.”
Eve looked up at him through her eyelashes and smiled sweetly. “Of course, daddy.”
Patrick snorted, stepped back, and grabbed her hand. “I have a feeling you’re going to keep me on my toes.”