Page 79 of The Coffee Bar on Camellia Court

"Yes, June-bug?"

"I think we're better together than we are apart. I want to be here for you and Lena, the way you've been here for me."

"I agree," he said softly, pressing a kiss to her temple.

"And speaking of Lena and facing things together," she said, letting a note of resignation seep into her voice. "I think we should probably head back inside and face the music."

"Probably." He sounded equally reluctant.

A small gasp drew their attention to the garden path where Lena stood, a look of absolute delight on her face.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes. "I told Grandma you two were gonna be kissing out here!"

Alex laughed and got to his feet, pulling Juno up with him. "Were you spying on us, Lena-bug?"

"No! Well, maybe a little." She skipped forward, unrepentant. "Claire sent me to find you because people want to see Juno."

Juno stood and opened her arms, and Lena ran into them without hesitation. Over the child's head, she met Alex's gaze, seeing in his eyes the same wonder she felt—that somehow, despite all the missteps and misunderstandings, they'd found their way to this moment, to each other.

"Shall we?" Alex asked, holding out his hand to his daughter.

Lena took it, then grabbed Juno's, and the three of them made their way back inside. Juno felt lighter than she had in days. The road ahead wouldn't be easy, she knew. She still had financial setbacks to overcome, trust to rebuild, fears to face. But she didn't have to do any of it alone. Not anymore.

The people waiting inside, they were her strength, her elephant family. The thought made her want to laugh with joy.

And the man beside her, along with the delightful child he was fighting to protect, offered her a second chance at something she'd thought she'd lost forever.

31

Alex

Alexcheckedhiswatchfor the third time in less than five minutes. Melissa had texted that she would be there at four o'clock, and she was now almost half an hour late. Was she deliberately keeping him on edge? He wouldn't put it past her.

"She'll be here," Juno said softly from where she sat on the couch with Lena. They were flipping through a photo album that Roxanne had put together, filled with pictures from Lena's first weeks in Autumn Lake. Alex was certain his mother had already taken more photos of Lena than he had seen of himself throughout his entire childhood.

"I know," he replied, trying to keep the tension from his voice. He didn't want Lena to pick up on his anxiety.

Roxanne emerged from the kitchen with a tray of cookies and iced tea for the adults, milk for Lena. "I thought we could use a little something while we wait," she said, setting it on the coffee table. "Lena helped me make these."

"Snickerdoodles," Lena announced proudly. "They're Juno's favorite." She beamed at Juno, who returned her smile with genuine warmth.

Alex watched them together, his heart both full and heavy. In the week since the fundraiser at the Garden Gate, Juno had become a constant presence in their lives. She'd been there for bedtime stories, impromptu picnics at his parents' dock, and quiet evenings sitting close together on the sofa after Lena had gone to sleep. It felt right having her there—like she'd always belonged with them.

And now Melissa was coming to take Lena away. Howard had managed to secure a temporary order preventing her from leaving the state with Lena, but that meant she could take her out of Autumn Lake, which is what she intended to do, according to her last text. She'd already used up her allotted time at the condo, and because she couldn't afford to stay at the resort, she'd told him she'd be taking Lena to a hotel somewhere. She wouldn't tell him where, even though Howard had assured him that she had to, and he was not looking forward to the conversation he'd be having with her when she finally arrived.

It was why Lena and Roxanne were there. In case things got heated, Roxanne would take Lena on a walk and Juno would remain behind as a witness. He would also tell Melissa he was recorded everything, and hopefully, that would dispel the worst of it, but he didn't want to be alone with her for this very important conversation.

Because they still hadn't determined custody, there was nothing he could do to limit how long Melissa kept Lena, either, and that meant he also needed to try to keep things civil so that he could negotiate some details with her.

He felt like he was walking a tightrope without a safety net.

The sound of tires on asphalt outside made Alex's stomach clench. He moved to the window and watched as Melissa's sleek rental car pulled into the driveway. She emerged wearing oversized sunglasses and a flowing maxi dress that couldn't quite hide how much thinner she looked than when he'd last seen her. Or how much more enhanced her cleavage was. He suddenly had a good idea of what she'd been busy doing while he'd been spending these last several weeks with Lena.

"She's here," he announced, turning to the room.

Lena set down the photo album and stood, her small face suddenly solemn. "I don't want to go," she whispered.

Roxanne knelt beside her granddaughter. "It's just for a little while, sweetheart. You'll be back before you know it."

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