Page 60 of A Mommy for His Daughter

She opened the card first.

Evie, you’re scared of opening your heart again. You’ve suffered so much pain and loneliness. I understand the loss, but you cannot run from your ghosts. You need to embrace them, for they make up who you are. Your life will be empty if you don’t accept who you are.

These were your mother’s. She made them herself and wanted you to have them when you became a woman. They’re overdue coming into your possession. Wear them and remember us.

And forgive, my love. Forgive yourself. Your family.

Come back soon.

Love, Le´elk’w.

Tears streamed down her face and she opened the box. There were the abalone earrings that shimmered and were smooth. Her mother’s.

Like a long-forgotten memory she heard her mother’s voice in her head, singing a traditional song and brushing her hair.

For so long Evelyn had locked all those memories away, making her restless. She’d forgotten who she was. She’d lost her family, herself. The pain had been unbearable, but now she had a chance to have it all back.

Love was worth the risk.

She loved Derek. She loved Mo.

She wanted to be in their life.

She deserved happiness.

She wasn’t being selfish, pursuing happiness.

She wanted to stay in Wolf’s Harbor—the place where she was born. It was in her blood. And she wanted to help Derek get a hospital here, so that women could safely have their children. So those who were severely injured could get treatment right away.

She wanted Wolf’s Harbor to grow.

And she wanted to grow here.

She was tired of running. The way to make things right was to stay. To take her father’s place and make amends with Jocelyn and Martha.

She wasn’t her father, but she was their family too.

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll now begin boarding for our non-stop flight to Sitka. Please have your boarding passes ready and line up at Gate One.”

Evelyn pocketed the earrings and grabbed her bag, but instead of heading to the gate she ran outside.

Uncle Yazzie was still sitting there, gazing at the plane, and she could see tears in his eyes.

“Uncle Yazzie!” Evelyn shouted.

Joe Sr. turned around and grinned. “I thought my mother was crazy when she said you’d change your mind. You have a stubborn streak like your mother did and she never changed her mind.”

Evelyn laughed and they hugged each other.

“Welcome home, Evie.”

“It’s good to be home, Uncle Yazzie.”

She wasn’t sure if Derek would have her, but she had to take the chance. Either way, she was staying in Wolf’s Harbor and she was going to help Derek get that hospital—and if that was all her relationship with Derek could be, then so be it.

She wasn’t going anywhere.

She was home.

* * *

Derek sat next to Jocelyn.

He was numb. He felt completely numb again.

“What happened?” Jocelyn moaned.

“You fainted and you have a concussion.”

“Martha?”

“Frank is with her. She’s okay, and Tim has checked on the baby. Still a strong heartbeat.”

“Tim? I thought that Evelyn was your OB/GYN.”

“Evelyn had to go to Seattle,” Derek said stonily.

“Oh.” Jocelyn closed her eyes. “I said something to her, didn’t I?”

“Painkillers can lower inhibitions.”

Jocelyn groaned. “Has she left? I need to apologize.”

“Yes. She’s left.”

“She was a child and confused,” Jocelyn said. “Thorne was distracted and the weather didn’t help. You can’t blame a kid. I feel terrible. Sure, I was the villain in her story as a child, but I see she doesn’t think that way anymore. She’s the villain in her own story. She blames herself.”

Derek saw that. He recalled the things she’d said. She did blame herself. She said she’d ruin his life. But she wasn’t to blame and she was denying herself any shot at love and happiness because she was punishing herself.

“You remind me of Thorne, Dr. Taylor.”

“How so?”

“Widower, lonely with a child. Afraid… But I don’t think you’re too scared to move forward now. Thorne didn’t forget his wife. He loved her. But he told me that his heart expanded.”

“What?” Derek asked.

“I know it sounds silly, and I didn’t get it until he died. There I was, devastated that the man I loved had died. I was left pregnant and alone. Thorne was the love of my life and I thought I’d never get over him. But a few years went by, and I just existed day to day, being a mother to Martha, and then I met Frank. I realized then what Thorne meant. A heart is not restricted to one person—it expands to encompass many people in your life. I will always love Thorne, but my heart has room for Frank too.”

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