The Stillwater Girls(71)
It was only when I found myself hugging the two of them that I realized how much I wanted to be a part of their family. We’d grown so close, so fast, and they’ve been so good to me, helping me navigate my new life and teaching me about things I never knew existed before. And besides, I couldn’t imagine leaving Evie.
Nicolette said it’s hot in Florida this time of year, that we won’t need a ton of clothes. And Brant said we’ll probably spend most of our time swimming or combing the beach for beautiful shells. He promised to teach us how to swim as soon as we get there.
Evie can’t wait. Brant showed her a video of what swimming is, and now it’s all she talks about. Actually, anything Brant shows her or teaches her is all she can talk about. She’s his shadow, following him everywhere, always wanting to see what he’s doing, always asking a thousand questions. The other night, I overheard Nicolette telling Brant she loved how patient he was with Evie. He told her waiting nine years to hold your daughter again makes being patient easy.
Brant snaps photos of me marking the calendar. I didn’t see him standing there. He does that a lot—takes what he calls “candid shots.” He says the pictures are better that way, and he tells us just to pretend he’s not there anytime we see him with his camera. Nicolette says he’s working on some family series for his next exhibit and that we’re going to take a trip to Berlin, Germany, next year so we can see his work on display in an art museum.
It’s a strange little family we make, but for the first time in my life, I’m home.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A million thank-yous to the following individuals who worked hard behind the scenes to make this book happen: Jill Marsal, Jessica Tribble, and Charlotte Herscher. Thank you for your top-notch professionalism and ongoing support and encouragement.
To my betas: Pamela Hull, Deanna Finn, and Ashley Cestra. This book wouldn’t be what it is without your relentless passion for reading, savvy suggestions, and eyes for detail.
To Chuck, Max, Kat, Marin, and Jennifer, my circle of brilliant, talented, and trusted authors whom I’m fortunate to also call friends. Thank you for letting me celebrate, vent, and bounce ideas off you, and for being like virtual colleagues I can bother when I’m “on break.”
To my husband and kids, thank you for never making me feel guilty when deadlines are looming and my work-life balance is completely unfair. You’re my rock, my world, and my everything.