Page 68 of To Hold and Protect

Parker was bringing Everly over after lunch so they could tell her that Willow would be selling the house and moving away. That was probably going to happen sooner than she’d thought. Buddy and his crew were ahead of schedule, and the first draft on her book was done, also ahead of schedule, and she’d started the next one. She’d probably be able to put the house up for sale in a few weeks.

She slid the tray of cookies into the oven, then she leaned back against the counter and took in her beautiful new kitchen. It wasn’t on a level with Parker’s, but she was happy with how it had turned out. She loved the glass doors on the cabinets, the gray-and-white swirled granite, stainless steel appliances, light gray farm sink, and wood floors. If she was keeping the house, she’d have added more color, but she wasn’t, so no use thinking about it.

The downstairs remodel was finished, as was the upstairs except for her bedroom and bath. The crew would start on that tomorrow, so after Parker and Everly left, she’d move to the bedroom down here.

Her phone chimed with a text.We’re headed over.

She wanted to text Parker back and tell him not to. If he didn’t bring Everly over, she wouldn’t have to break her favorite little girl’s heart, because that was what she was about to do. She left her phone on the counter and walked out to her porch to wait for them.

“Miss Willow!” Everly ran up to her, and Willow lifted her up. “Miss Willow, I thought of another idea for a story you can tell me, and I can illustrate.”

Willow met Parker’s eyes over Everly’s shoulder, and she wanted to park her butt on the ground and cry. How was she supposed to leave these two? His forced smile, and the sadness that dimmed his eyes hurt her heart.

“A new story?” She slipped her arm under Everly’s bottom and carried her into the house. “I can’t wait to hear it. But first, I have cookies in the oven that should almost be done.” She’d made her favorite oatmeal chocolate cherry cookies.

“Oh, goody! Cookies!”

Willow thought she should probably have a hearing test done. She buried her nose against Everly’s neck, breathing in her little girl scent. Heaven help her, she loved this child, and she loved Everly’s father, but that was her secret.

“Kitchen turned out really nice,” Parker said after following them in.

“I’m happy with it.” She set Everly on the island counter, then made the mistake of glancing at him. His eyes were on her, burning as hot as they had last night, and she smiled. What she really wanted to do was to walk right into his arms. She tore her gaze away from his and tapped Everly’s nose. “Sit here while I get the cookies out of the oven, then you can help me put them on a plate.”

When she turned back around with the cookie pan, father and daughter were sitting side by side on the counter. The sight of them making themselves at home in her kitchen sent a longing through her the likes of which she’d never felt before. It was so startling that she almost dropped the pan.

“Um...” She had no idea what she meant to say. Parker tilted his head and raised his brows. Then, as if he understood that she’d just had a moment, he gave her one of his soft smiles. Somehow, she managed to return it. “These need to cool off for a few minutes.” Should they tell Everly now or after they had cookies?

“Are those the ones with the cherries in them, Miss Willow?”

“They are.”

“Oh, goody!” She clapped her hands. “Those are my favorite.”

“Now?” Willow mouthed to Parker, and he nodded. They’d talked about how to tell Everly, and she’d said it should be her. Parker had accepted that but said he should be here when she talked to Everly, and she agreed.

“Before we have our cookies, I need to talk to you about something, Everly.”

“Is it about our new story, ’cause I have so many ideas.”

“No, it’s not about that.” She stepped in front of the little girl she’d grown to love. She’d had a little speech ready that had sounded good in her head, but no matter how she said she was leaving, Everly wasn’t going to understand. “I need to tell you that you’re going to see a For Sale sign in my yard soon, and—”

“Are you selling your house ’cause you’re moving in with me and my daddy?”

Willow hated seeing that big smile on Everly’s face because with her next words, that smile was going to disappear. “No, sweetie, when the house sells, I’ll be moving away.”

“Away where?”

“I’m not sure yet, but it won’t be in Marsville.”

“No, Miss Willow, you can’t move away. You’re supposed to marry my daddy and be my mommy. That’s what I want.”

“Oh, sweetie...” She glanced at Parker. How long had Everly been thinking that would happen? What was she supposed to say?

He picked up Everly and set her on his lap. “Sometimes we don’t get what we want, Ev. Miss Willow only planned to be in this house until it was remodeled, and she could put it up for sale, and it’s about time for her to do that.”

“No! That’s not a good plan. Who’s gonna write stories for me to illustrate?” She looked at Willow. “Please, Miss Willow, you can’t move away. I won’t let you.”

Everly’s lips were trembling, and tears were welling in her eyes, and it was breaking Willow’s heart. “We can FaceTime and do stories and illustrations.” She glanced at Parker. Would he be okay with that?

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