Page 12 of Every Single Vow
“We came for an update.” Ivy smiles, a casserole in hand. “And we have supper.”
Cooper takes it from her hands, helping himself as Ivy and Laiken climb onto the sofa with me. These two are the definition ofride or die.I met Ivy through Cooper, and Laiken through Ivy. We've been thick as thieves ever since, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Ivy grips my hand, her bright smile always a comfort. Laiken’s kind spirit is one of those that makes you feel like you are wrapped up in your favorite blanket by a fire on a cold winter day. My friends are everything I’m not. Ivy can talk to anyone. Smart as a whip and loyal to a fault. Laiken has always been the center. The gravity. The sound mind. The nurturer. And I was well….me.
“How is she?” Ivy asks.
“Good. Fed, showered, and resting.” I tuck my bare feet beneath me.
“Does she need anything?” Laiken asks.
“I will probably need to get her a few sets of clothes. Some toiletries.” I glance back at Cooper. “I really won’t know what’s next until we see the attorney tomorrow and he tells us the process.”
“If you need me to, I can take her to town to get those things while you and Coop meet with him.”
“Thanks, Ives.” I smile.
“Will she go to foster care?” Laiken’s gaze drifts over to Ivy.
I shake my head. “No. I can’t let her go back.”
“Go back?” Ivy’s eyes soften. “She’s been before?”
“Yeah.” I swallow. “Not a good experience.” I finally have the courage to say it. “I want her to stay with me.”
I’m not sure what I expected, but Ivy launching herself at me was not it.
“I’m so proud of you,” she sobs.
Laiken joins next, her arms wrapping around us both. “Me too. We’re right here. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.” I let my gaze track over to Cooper and then I mouth the words to him across the room.Thank you.Who knew that meeting him at a gas station at ten years old would lead me here. To this family.
Chapter eight
Dakota
“So Norman is going to tell us what we need to do?” I ask, wringing my hands as I step a boot onto the curb.
“Yes. I trust Norman. He knows the law forwards and backwards. He won’t steer us wrong.”
I nod, breathing out a sharp breath. Norman was never downright ugly to me, but he had friends. Judges and law men in this town that hated seeing the nameSterlingon their radar.
“Relax.” Cooper’s hand brushes against my lower back. “It’s just a conversation, Birdie.”
He only calls meBirdiewhen he’s soothing me. He knows I’m getting anxious. The nickname is always like a balm to my soul, and I soak in the feel of his touch before he opens the door to the old building next to the hardware store.
“Good morning.” Mrs. Lane smiles and motions to the left. “Mr. Grisham is still in a meeting, but you can go into the third office on the right.” Her smile slightly waivers when she glances at me.
I smile back, trying not to take offense.
Cooper’s steps lead me down the hall, and as we turn into the third office on the right, my steps falter.
“Coop!”
My eyes narrow, the force so strong I have to reign in the urge to roll them at the enthusiastic voice. Kyra Grisham, the woman who’s done everything but strip naked in front of Cooper to snag his attention sits behind the desk.
“I hope you don’t mind meeting with me. Dad’s meeting ran long, and he gave me the cliff notes and told me to advise then bring him up to speed.”
“Morning, Kyra. No problem.” Cooper’s boots scuff along the floor, while she practically eye fucks him the entire short trip to the leather back chair.
