Page 45 of A Mommy for His Daughter

Driving along the coast was amazing, but they were soon headed north, toward Skagway—and there was no road to Skagway. The road ended at the beautiful, rugged Point Bridget National Park.

It had been a long time since Derek had been there, and as they all laughed and chatted on the drive up he was actually excited to go there again.

He hadn’t been there since he was dating Vivian. He had always meant to bring Mo here, but had never got the chance, and then it had slipped his mind. Of course Vivian wasn’t here, but he was glad he was bringing their daughter and he was glad he was sharing it with Evelyn.

When they got to the state park they took the easy three-and-a-half-kilometer trail that made its way down to the rocky shore of the Inside Passage. The mountains all around them were reflected in the crystal-clear water and it was enough to take his breath away.

Even though it was densely foggy toward Sitka, here at Point Bridget it was sunny, and as they approached the final bend down to the water they heard the barking call of the sea lions out on the large rocks, sunning themselves.

Mo squealed, but kept her distance as she picked her way across the rocky shore, with Evelyn following close behind her. They were searching for rocks—colorful rocks that had been smoothed by the tides.

Derek couldn’t help but smile as he watched them.

He wanted her. He wanted Evelyn and he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt this way. It was a long time since he’d let himself feel and though he was terrified by the emotions coursing through him it was hard to ignore them. Especially now, watching her as she knelt down beside Mo, their heads together as Evelyn showed her how to skip a stone across the water.

He didn’t deserve to be this happy. Only he couldn’t help himself. Try as he might to stop her, Evelyn kept wiggling her way in. It was hard to push her away when she brought him to life again.

“Daddy, watch!” Mo shrieked.

Derek waved and watched as Evelyn bent over Mo and helped her skip a stone across the water. The stone bounced three times before disappearing under the water with a plop.

“Good job.” Derek clapped.

“You try, Daddy,” Mo said.

Derek chuckled. “Okay. I’ll try.”

He shook off whatever doubts were eating away at him. Right now he couldn’t think about those things. Right now he was just going to enjoy this stolen moment in life, because it might be the only chance he would get before Evelyn left.

* * *

Evelyn sat down on the couch in the cabin. She felt a little sunburnt, but her shower had felt good and Derek had now retreated into the shower while Evelyn sat with Mo in the living room. Mo was in her pajamas and watching a cartoon movie. She was really quiet, and Evelyn had the feeling that Mo was exhausted.

She understood that because she was beat too. But the day had been wonderful. They’d hiked, had an impromptu picnic and watched the sea lions frolic down by the water.

All the awkwardness that had crept between her and Derek was gone. It had been as if they were a family today. Evelyn had forgotten what that was like. It was breaking her heart, knowing that this would probably be the only time she’d ever feel like she belonged.

You could change that.

She closed her eyes, trying to relax.

Tomorrow the fog would most likely lift and they would head back to Wolf’s Harbor. Back to being doctors. And she would have to monitor Jennifer Yazzie like a hawk. She also knew she’d be on edge until those amnio results came in.

She opened her eyes and checked her phone, but there was nothing.

Dammit.

Mo giggled and Evelyn glanced at the television.

“What’re you watching?”

“The Unicorn Princess,” Mo said, not looking at her. “It’s so funny. The unicorn is crazy.”

“I can see,” Evelyn said, and she could see, by the googly-eyed expression of the unicorn as it pranced after a very annoyed princess.

Mo yawned, and then to Evelyn’s surprise curled up beside her.

“You smell nice, Evie. I like that,” Mo said.

“You smell nice too,” Evelyn whispered.

She reached down and tenderly ran her hand over Mo’s curls. Mo snuggled in closer and it wasn’t long before her laughter at the crazy antics of the unicorn disappeared and was replaced by a light snore.

Evelyn glanced down and saw that Mo was fast asleep, her head on her lap. Tears stung Evelyn’s eyes and she stroked Mo’s back.

Derek came out of the bathroom and his eyes widened in surprise. Then his expression softened as he looked at Mo.

“She’s tired,” Derek whispered, squatting down in front of them.

“She’s not the only one.” Evelyn smiled and then looked at Derek, whose eyes were sparkling the same way they had last night when they’d kissed.

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