Page 5 of Pieces into Place
But Blake was never a Mackenzie.
She was bornafterher parents married and hadCallowayon her birth certificate. In fact, it wasn’t until after her father died and she began going through his things that Blake found out Isla’s maiden name was Mackenzie. Before then, that was never information she wanted or needed. Everything she knew about her mom came from her dad. And he hadn’t painted a pretty picture.
Still, Blake had the faintest memories in the back of her mind of Isla before she was taken from her. She remembered making pancakes with her in their kitchen, dancing in the living room to Broadway songs, and cuddling up with her when she had a bad dream. Blake wished she could do that now; just crawl into her mom’s bed and let her hold her. But she was thirty-six now, not five. She had to toughen up.
A hand on her shoulder startled her as she turned to see Alexis.
“What was that?” Alexis had a concerned look on her face. She gently caressed Blake’s cheek with one hand before placing the other on her stomach. Blake would never understand how a simple touch from Alexis could calm her racing mind so quickly. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, sorry.” Blake shook her head. “Sometimes I just get the vibe that Vera hates me.”
“Blake,” Alexis scolded her as if she was one of their kids, “you know better than that. Vera doesn’t hate you. Come on. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I don’t know. I just can’t shake the feeling that she’s mad at me for not picking her to be my doctor.”
“I’m sure she understands. I’m not sure I’d want my mom all up in my business.”
Blake resisted the urge to point that Vera wasn’t her mom, but it wasn’t the time or place forthatinevitable argument.
“Besides, I don’t think I’d have used her for the twins if she hadn’t delivered Harperbeforeshe was my mother-in-law. So I get it.”
“I knowyoudo,” Blake chuckled. “I just don’t know ifVeradoes.”
“She does.”
“Or she secretly hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you. How many times am I going to have to tell you that?” Alexis put her hand on her hips, and Blake knew she was frustrated. They had had versions of the same conversation countless times over the last five years. But Blake couldn’t help how she felt. “You have to stop thinking that, babe. It’s not doing you any good.”
“I know,” Blake mumbled. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not the one you should apologize to.”
She didn’t have to ask Alexis who she was referring to. Blake knew it was Vera. But she wasn’t going to be apologizing right now, so Blake changed the subject.
“Baby’s hungry.”
Alexis rolled her eyes, smirking. “It’s so convenient how the baby gets hungry every time I try to have the hard conversations with you.”
“Isn’t it?” Blake laughed, pulling Alexis into a hug. “I’m sorry. I’ll apologize to Vera next time I see her.”
“Good.” Nodding her head, Alexis leaned in to kiss her. “Come on. I’ll buy you lunch.”
Chapter 3
Isla
Spending time with her kids was something Isla always enjoyed. She loved getting to hear about their day and what had been going on in their lives. Isla could listen to her kids talk for hours about anything. Her love for them was as deep as could be, and she hoped all five of them felt it.
Since Ellie and Everleigh still lived at home, they typically got most of Isla’s attention these days. Ellie was thriving in college and Isla loved hearing about all her classes and the spring musical. She was so much like Isla that she couldn’t help but wonder if her life had turned out differently if she would have had a college experience like Ellie’s.
As for Everleigh, she had struggled to adjust to being the only kid left at home. With Ellie in the garage apartment and often not at home, Everleigh had to find new ways to entertain herself that didn’t involve tagging along with her older siblings. She FaceTimed Brayden at college usually once a day, and Isla was beyond thankful they were maintaining their relationship. Brayden was flourishing in college, just like Ellie, but Isla missed having her baby boy home with her.
Just like she missed Blake, even though theywere in the same town.
Isla sighed, knowing now wasn’t the time to let her thoughts of Blake cloud her mind. She had a playdate with her newest grandchild and couldn’t wait to see him. It felt like just yesterday that Mason was telling her she was going to have a baby.
“Mom?” Mason snuggled into bed as Isla slowly woke. She put her arm around Mason and pulled her close as she yawned. “Are you awake?”
