Unexpected Gift(22)

“Yes, he mentioned that.” The old lawyer smirks, a twinkle in his mischievous eyes.

“Then you should know this can’t happen,” Molly counters.

“It has to, I’m afraid or Posie will go to the next of kin. Something Brandon and Amelia said they didn’t want.”

“Damn it,” I cover my mouth with my hands. “I mean, darn it. Gosh darn it.” Having a kid around all the time will help me curve the potty mouth.

Caden lets out a loud scoff. “Like it matters now. She already heard it.”

I roll my eyes. “Like you’re going to be any better.”

“Challenge accepted.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

He sits Posie down on his leg and bounces her, making her scream—in a happy way. “You know what’s ridiculous?”

“That’s enough. Both of you. Stop acting like children and start thinking like parents.” Mr. Newton loosens his tie and tossed off his glasses halfway down the table. “Mr. Lowell was right. I have my work cut out with you two.”

“Sorry, sir,” I say, feeling ashamed.

“Mr. Newton, we are sorry. This is just a big adjustment for us.”

Caden is right. The adjustment will be life-changing, but maybe we can do it, for Posie. We can have our lives separate from one another. Just because we have to live together doesn’t mean we have to be friends. We can coexist, like a married couple that doesn’t like each other and sleeps in different bedrooms.

Yeah, that sounds so healthy for Posie.

“Kenna would love this,” I sigh, craning my head back against the large, leather chair.

“Well, Brandon and Kenna were a lot alike when it came to situations like this. I wouldn’t be surprised if she helped him set this idea up,” Caden says offhandedly.

I wouldn’t have put it past her either.

“What are you guys wanting to settle on?” Mr. Newton takes the top off his fancy pen that is impossible to write with. I like my cheap, ballpoint pens just fine; thank you very much.

Posie gurgles and gains everyone’s attention. A big glob of spit drips down her chin and pools onto the table. I snag a wet wipe from the diaper bag and wipe her mouth, chin, and spit on the table. “Sorry about that. You know how messy kids are.”

“I do. I have seven of my own.”

“Seven!” I stare at Mr. Newton like he’s lost his mind.

“That sounds nice. Good for you. I always wanted a big family,” Caden admits.

I want to say something about that so bad, but I keep my mouth shut. He watches me, waiting to see if I’ll backtalk him. He knows I want to. He can see it. I pinch my lips together to make sure not even a peep leaves my mouth.

“Yes, thank you. But let’s get back to the two of you. Where will you live here in Glendive?” Mr. Newton asks.

“I don’t know. We don’t know the area very well, but I’ll buy us a house with a beautiful view. Make sure Posie has a backyard to play in with the dog we will get her,” Caden answers.

“We’re going to get her a dog?” I ask with a raised brow. “Can we just get to where we are going first?”

He stares at me like I’m the one who is crazy. “Of course. Every little girl or boy needs a best friend. We are going to get her a puppy. We have to.”

“I have a feeling this puppy will be more for you than her,” I joke, trying to show him I can be supportive. I love dogs.

He covers her ears with his hands. “Shhh, she doesn’t need to know that.”

I love how good he is with her, and it makes it more difficult not to like him. “I just ask that we adopt instead of shop. There are plenty of dogs out there that need homes, agreed?” I ask as if it is a question, lifting my brows to see if he will argue with me, since we argue about everything.

He nods, giving me a crooked smile. “I think that’s a great idea. We can all go together.”

Like a family.

But we aren’t. Not by a long shot.

“If this is what Brandon and Amelia want, then I’ll do it. This is the least I could do for how much I love Posie.” I stand, smoothing my dress down as I walk over to Mr. Newton. He holds the fountain pen out, waiting for me to grab it. I lock eyes with Caden, and we speak without words. This is going to be a really hard adjustment, but it will be worth it, because Posie will be happy.

I just hope we can find our own happiness one day.

The pen is heavy between my fingers, and I take one last look at Caden before the ink meets the paper. I close my eyes, and an image of Brandon emerges from my memories. It is a moment from his wedding where we danced. He told me all the things he wanted in life, and I have a feeling he knew he wouldn’t live long enough to have them. I don’t know how or why, but why else would a thirty-year-old man have a will? Maybe he just had an instinctual feeling. I’ll never know.

His smile is the last thing I see before I open my eyes and scribble my name on the line that says I agree to the terms and conditions. I keep the pen in hand and walk back to my seat, but before I sit down, I hand it to Caden. “I’ll trade you.”

He nods, lifting Posie off his leg. We trade, and Posie stares at me with large, confused eyes. She has no idea what is going on, but at least she isn’t crying anymore. “It’s okay, sweetie. We are almost done. Then, we are going to go get lunch and maybe a nap. Oh, a nap sounds good, doesn’t it?” I speak to her in the softest baby voice I can muster.