Page 43 of The Bitter Rival

“Oh, ha! I can’t imagine Austin would do that. He’s honestly almost too polite. It would be crazy to hear him talk like another teen.”

“Take that back quick, Isabella.” He laughs. “Keep him polite.” I note the proud stare he sends Gavin’s way as he shakes his head at hislittle brother’santics.

“We’re here.” I hear shouted in unison from the front door. Looking in that direction, I see several adults and two children coming our way.

“Hey, guys,” Kat greets. “Come over here, Jenna, Luke. I want you to meet someone.” I watch as Kat bends down to their eye level. “You remember that incredible candy cake you had for your birthday, Jenna? This nice lady right here made that for you. This is Isabella.”

“Wow. Your cake rocked!” Luke exclaims.

“Is Super G’s cake going to be covered in candy too?” Jenna asks.

“No. I didn’t want her to choke on anything. But I put extra sugar in the frosting. It’s over on the counter if you want to take a peek.” I point in the direction of the two-tier cake in primary colors with a cape made of bright red fondant draping down the back and a big blue triangle adorned on the top, with Super G inscribed in the center.

“Whoa. This is awesome,” Jenna declares.

I feel an arm slide around me and can’t help but hug Kat back. “Isabella, this is my mom, dad, and sister, Rachel.”

I greet her smiling family only briefly before her mother is reaching for Grace. I have to keep from staring at Kat’s sister. The girl is absolutely beautiful. I mean, Kat is stunning with her tall, thin stature and long dark hair. Yet, her confidence and personality are honestly her most glowing features. But there’s a timeless beauty about Rachel. She stands about five-six and has light brown hair with golden highlights, big brown eyes, and a radiant smile.

“Dad, can you help me with the grill? Hey, everyone. We’ve got chairs set up outside if you want to hang out by the lake. I set up corn hole down by the water if Luke and Jenna want to play-”

I laugh as the two kids race past Nick before he’s completed his sentence. Following the crowd outside, I find a chair. Kat walks over with a glass of lemonade, offering it to me as she sits down beside me.

“This place is enchanted, Kat. Honestly, it feels almost magical.”

“I know. The first time Nick brought me here, I felt the same way. Plus, he proposed to me here.”

“What? I didn’t know that. Are there plans to bring another child into the family?”

“You could say that.” She smiles coyly as if she’s guarding a secret. “We can’t have children naturally. It’s adoption or surrogacy for us, so it isn’t as spontaneous.”

For a moment, I’m speechless. It never occurred to me they couldn’t have children biologically. I’d heard the story of Grace’s birth and thought they were just at the right place at the right time to adopt her. “I’m sure when the right situation presents itself, you’ll know.”

“Yes. There’s a lot of faith involved in this journey. But I wouldn’t trade anything if it meant we didn’t have Grace in our lives.”

“You two look awfully serious over here,” Nick says as he bends down to kiss his wife. “Did someone forget this is a party?”

“We were just sharing mom stories.” Kat winks at me.

“Would you like to share your newest one?” Nick asks her. I adjust myself in my seat, feeling excited about being on the inside scoop of possible good news.

“Why not, babe?” Kat shrugs her shoulders and stands to wrap her arm around her devoted husband.

Nick gathers everyone around and shares they have some news. I can see everyone looking at the happy couple with hopeful anticipation. Katarina’s mom is beaming from ear to ear.

“Dinner will be ready in ten minutes,” Nick announces.

“What?” Kat’s mom shrieks. “You had me thinking there was another grandbaby coming my way.”

“Okay, that too,” Nick says.

The group erupts into cheers, and Nick tries to use his hands to gesture everyone to quiet down so he can continue delivering their fantastic news.

“We received a call from the adoption agency yesterday that we’d been matched with a mother who is early in her pregnancy but wanting to have an open adoption similar to what we have with Katrina for Grace. She’s in college and isn’t prepared to parent, and we’re excited to share the opportunity with her.” Nick squeezes Kat to his side, placing a loving kiss on her temple.

I feel tears flood my face in response to their incredible news. I’m just thrilled for them. Them and this amazing young woman who gets to join their family. Because there’s no doubt, the way these two love the important people in their lives, she’ll become one of them instantly. I turn my head to see Austin is sketching in his pad, looking up occasionally to take in the space around him. Gavin is steadily talking, once in a while pointing at something Austin has drawn. Yep, magical.

I’ve eaten my fill of bratwurst and picnic sides and have thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon. Austin had two cheeseburgers, go figure. The kids are running about the yard, being chased by Gavin when Katarina approaches.

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