Page 106 of When You Were Mine

Ah, hell.“That couldn’t be further from the truth, but I can see how you thought that. Hailey, I know I’ve been underfoot?—”

“Underfoot? What does that mean?”

Just say it. Bring it out in the open. “A couple of months ago, I was reading books to the kids before bed, and when I came out of Evvie’s room, I heard you and Cole arguing. You said you just couldn’t take one more person in your house. And I understand. You’ve got four kids. It’s a lot. But I thought I was helping, and?—”

“You are. Trevor, that is not—oh, my God—I can’t believe you heard that.”

“It’s okay. Honestly, I get it.”

“No, you don’t. You know what my childhood was like. You know my mom’s a ‘free spirit.’ Well, around September, she got a job making costumes for a singer here in town, and she wanted to live with us for a few months. I mean, I love her, but when she comes, she doesn’t clean up after herself. She leaves her dirty clothes on the floor, and she doesn’t put her dishes in the dishwasher. She’s?—”

“A fifth child.” He couldn’t believe he’d gotten it so wrong. “I’m sorry. I thought you meant me.” At least now, thanks to Elzy, he could see why. It was a knee-jerk reaction to being an imposition in his childhood home.

“Not at all. It’s not like we view you as a visitor or a guest. You’re part of us. The kids love you, Trevor.Welove you.”

“Yeah, I guess I should’ve asked you about it.”

“I wish you had. Is it too late? Can you come home for Christmas?”

She couldn’t know what that simple concept meant to him.Home for Christmas. Something he’d longed for. Sure, his dad always cut down a tree, but they’d never done more than hang a few ornaments. No one got around to stringing the lights. They had eggs and bacon for breakfast, and then, his parents went back to work.

“Those animals can’t feed themselves.”

But he had a whole new life now, and he could make it whatever he wanted it to be. “I’m heading home in the morning. I’ll be there.”

“Oh, thank God.”

“Hey, Hailey. Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“In the picture Cole sent me… Do I see seven stockings?”

She clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth. “Yes. Because there aresevenof us. And if you’re not here to open your presents, we’re going to have four very disappointed little girls.”

It seemed impossible for one man to have this many blessings. It filled him to the brim. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“You bet. What’s up?”

“Can you make an eighth one?”

“You mean for Darby?”

“No. I mean for Jessica Elsworth. She’s going to be part of the family too.”

He’d make sure of it.

Even though her phone told her it was morning, it was disorienting because the sky was as dark as night. The only light in the room came from the fairy windows.

And wrapped in Trevor’s arms, Jessica knew there was no place she’d rather be.

Stretching, she smiled at her sore muscles. “You gave me quite the workout.”

He yawned big and loud. “Right? You fucked me into a coma. I still can’t feel my legs.”

“Aw. You’re such a romantic.” She said it with a laugh and pretended to pull away.

But he tightened his hold and bit her shoulder. “I mean, if you think flowers say more than my cock and mouth and hands?—”

---