Page 129 of The Kidnapped

Eden rushed off to her bedroom, leaving the two of them alone in the kitchen.

“She’s doing so well. Her therapist told me this week that he’s surprised but that I should just encourage her to be herself and tell me things when she’s ready. We knew the Emily thing, obviously, but then she told me about it herself yesterday.”

“Raleigh, it’s amazing. She’s amazing,” Hollis replied. “She’s a little you.”

Raleigh smiled as she leaned back in her chair and stared at Hollis.

“Will you stay over tonight?”

“It’s too soon, isn’t it?”

“I talked to her doctor about it yesterday. He said I should try to be as normal as I can around her. And you’re part of my normal, babe.”

“If you’re sure, I’d love that,” Hollis replied.

“I’m sure,” Raleigh said.

“I have a new book.” Eden came back into the kitchen, holding up a picture book for Hollis. “Mommy bought it for me.”

“She did, huh?” Hollis asked.

Without warning, Eden put the book on the table and climbed into Hollis’s lap. Hollis looked at Raleigh in fear. Raleigh smiled and shrugged.

“She’s precocious. Always has been,” Raleigh explained.

“It has dinosaurs,” Eden said, picking the book back up.

She opened it, and Hollis held on to her as Eden started to read and sound out some of the words she didn’t yet know. Raleigh watched them read together for a few minutes before she stood and started taking the plates to the sink to wash. She returned just as they finished the book, placing one hand on Hollis’s shoulder and the other on the back of Hollis’s neck, which she then started to massage.

“Can you go get ready for your bath?” Raleigh asked Eden.

“Can I read another book with Hollis?” Eden asked instead.

“After,” Raleigh replied, leaning down to kiss the top of Eden’s head and then Hollis’s cheek. “And one for you, too.”

Hollis blushed and said, “Thank you.”

After Eden’s bath, Hollis read a book to her this time, and Eden fell asleep with Raleigh sitting on the end of the bed, watching them. Managing to get out without waking the girl was a minor miracle, but they did it, and then it was time for them to talk. That was what Hollis thought, at least.

“So,” Hollis began. “I’ve been reading some articles on dating someone with a kid because I want to try to do–”

“Hollis?” Raleigh interjected softly once she’d closed the bedroom door.

“Yeah?” Hollis turned to her.

“Take a shower with me. Then, just hold me, okay? We don’t need articles; we just need each other, my love.” Raleigh wrapped her arms around Hollis’s neck and pulled her in. “Both of my girls are home now, and I’ve never been happier in my life.”

EPILOGUE

Raleigh pressed her hand to the shower wall and sucked on Hollis’s neck. As her fingers thrust inside, Hollis breathed hard into her ear.

“Almost,” Hollis told her. “God! Almost,” she added as she gripped Raleigh’s ass and pressed her closer against her. “I want you.”

“You have me. I’m right here. Come for me.”

“I want to be…” Hollis’s head went back against the shower wall next to Raleigh’s hand. “Inside…”

“You will,” Raleigh replied, smirking against Hollis’s neck as she came.

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