He would do the right thing for the girls no matter the cost to him. But he would miss them in a way he never thought possible.
“It’s cute.” Hailey sounded resigned.
Every house on this street looked right out of a storybook. Each was a different color, and all of them had brightly painted doors. Flower baskets hung off windows.
He took her hand. “We don’t have to go in. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want.”
“We do, though. She’s family.”
“So are we.”
Her gaze cut over to him, watching, assessing. He saw the moment awareness hit. “You know it’s funny. I always thought I’d missed out on not having siblings or aunts and uncles and all that. I guess because I never really had a lot of friends, it never occurred to me that I could make my own family.” She reached for his hand. “We did that, didn’t we?”
“We did.” Out of nowhere, his heart raced, and his skin went hot despite the icy wind whistling through the windows.
He wanted her. He wanted those girls.
He wanted his damn family.
She broke out in a bittersweet grin. “And we haven’t even known them a month.”
“You’d think time would matter. You’d think blood would, too. But if you asked the girls who their family was, they’d include us. They wouldn’t even question it.”
“Wow, that’s…” Tears glistened, and she smiled. “You’re right.” She brought their joined hands to her mouth and kissed the back of his. “You mean so much to me, Cole.”
“You’re everything to me.” He had to swallow back the tide of emotion that threatened to crush him. “Everything.” Because he had to stay focused on meeting Darren’s mom. He cleared his throat. “You ready?” He had to keep his head on right to make the best decision for the girls.
She looked past him to the stretch of grass across the street, the bench overlooking the snow-covered sand, and the sunlight-dappled lake. “The girls would love it here.”
He could see it so clearly. Both of them racing out the front door holding pails and shovels, their grandma reminding them to stop at the curb.Don’t cross the street without me. Yeah, they’d like it a lot. “Hey, let’s not undervalue my indoor lap pool.”
“Or the wrapping room. One day, that’ll be very important to them.” She unbuckled her belt. “Okay. Let’s do this.” She waited for him on the grass, and then together, they walked hand in hand up the walkway. “I’m scared.”
He could only take short, tight breaths. “I know.” If this family turned out to be the right one for the girls, if he had to let them go, he would feel it deep and hard. He’d never forget the first time Evvie had come charging toward him, lifting her arms and settling on his hip like she’d done it her entire life. Not once had she been hesitant around him.
She’d just taken for granted that he’d take care of her.
His muscles contracted, and he squeezed Hailey’s hand too hard. “Sorry.”
She gave him a weak smile. She understood.
Before they even rang the bell, the door swung open, and a red-haired woman stepped out. “Cole?” She fussed with the screen door handle before it gave. “Come on in.” The interior was warm and cozy and stuffed with furniture and tchotchkes. It smelled like freshly baked apple pie. “I’m Annie, Darren’s...well, you know.” She looked uncomfortable. “I don’t know what to say.”
“That’s okay. I’m Cole Montgomery. And this is Hailey Casselton.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Hailey shook the woman’s hand. “We were best friends with Darren and his wife.”
“You didn’t bring the girls with you?”
“No, the older one’s in school,” Hailey said. “The other’s at a play date.”
The woman wore jeans and cowboy boots, her red hair layered and down to her shoulders. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Cole didn’t like seeing her so ill at ease around them. He hoped she didn’t think they judged her about a decision she’d made nearly thirty years ago. “We’re okay, but thank you. Why don’t we sit down and get to know each other a little?”
“Yes, that’s good.” She sat on the love seat, offering them the couch. “I know you’re a hockey player.”
“Yes.”