Page 41 of Finding Wonderland

“Oh, really?” Isla arched an eyebrow at her. “What’s that?”

“It is I, my dear Isla, that is holding the hand of the most beautiful woman in the world.”

Isla lowered her gaze as she bit her lip, but she couldn’t hide her smile. When she looked back up at Vera, the truth was as plain as day on her face. She was in love, too.

Should I tell her now?

Vera had no time to contemplate as the server came over to take their order. Their conversations shifted to Mason and work and plans for Thanksgiving. The latter had Vera the most excited.

“We will have to celebrate together. We can make all the classic Thanksgiving dishes.”

“I’d love that.”

“Me, too. We can have our own little family dinner. Just the three of us.”

“What about Walker?”

“She’ll be with the Carlsons, as usual.” Vera took a bite of her cheese ravioli and chewed. “I usually volunteer to work the holidays, but I think I’ll make an exception this year. I want to spend it with you and Mason.”

“We would love that. We haven’t had a real Thanksgiving since before Blake…” Isla seemed to be choosing her words carefully, “left.”

Vera could almost feel the pain in Isla’s voice. Although they had talked about Blake before, Vera knew it was never going to be an easy thing for Isla. After all, how do you move from the fact your kid was taken? Forget it was by their dad; that was Isla’s baby. Vera couldn’t imagine that pain.

Pushing her plate aside, Vera reached out and placed a hand on Isla’s arm.

“I can’t possibly know what you are going through, and I know this is all moving quickly, but I meant what I said last night. I am here for you, every step of the way. When everything feels dark and missing Blake physically hurts, I want to be the shoulder you cry on and lean on.”

“Vera…” Isla’s voice quivered.

“I know these overwhelming moments of missing Blake are hard, but I don’t want you to have to go through them alone. And I need you to know it’s okay to find happiness in the darkness. It’s the only way to make it in this crazy world. It doesn’t diminish your love for Blake or your ache to have her back in your life, but it does allow you to feel happiness again. Because you deserve that, Isla. And Mason deserves to know that her mom is okay and happy, despite everything that has gone on in her life. Trust me, she needs that. I know what it’s like to have a mom that is not happy.”

“God, you’re so good with words.” Lifting her hand, Isla wiped a single tear from her eyes. “Thank you for saying all of that. I have been feeling guilty. Moving here, meeting you… it’s all been so wonderful but I can’t help but feel guilty being happy because Blake isn’t here.”

“I know that, sweetie, and if there was anything I could do to help, believe me I would.”

“I know. And thank you.”

Vera gave Isla a moment to feel her feelings before continuing.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of a religious person. I’m not a churchgoer, but I believe there’s a God that loves me and wants the best for me, even if I think I know what that is. And I’ve been praying that one day down the road, you and Blake will be reunited. I pray she understands how hard you fought to keep her in your life and how much pain you experienced because of her absence. But more than anything, I hope and pray she knows how much her mother loves her.”

Isla lowered her gaze as she intertwined her fingers with Vera’s. “Thank you for saying all of that.”

“I mean it, Isla. All of it.” She nodded firmly. “I’m in. I’m all in.”

Isla nodded her head, smiling. “I am, too.”

“Good,” Vera said with a wink. “Because there’s no one else I’d want to split a cheesecake dessert with than you.”

“Thank you, Vera.”

“You don’t have to thank me. This is what girlfriends do.”

“Well, lucky for me, I have the best one.”

“No way. I do.”

Isla chuckled. “We’re really pathetic, aren’t we?”

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