Page 24 of Reuniting with the Rancher

She snorted.So inappropriate.She hadn’t removed her ring. It felt disrespectful to not do something positive with it.

“What if she hates me?” she blurted out, touching her hand to her hair. “I think I should have rewashed my hair. Day three wash and go can be tricky…”

Caleb sat on the couch playing a video game and paused it to raise an eyebrow. “You’ve only just met, and you’re already worrying about that?”

“What if she thinks I’m ugly? What if she changed her mind about wanting to see me?” Lily’s voice climbed an octave with each question. “What if she hates my music? I mean, she’s probably only heard the songs as LaLa Fair. What if she doesn’t even like Lily?”

Caleb chuckled, “That’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ for one minute. You sound like you’re about to crash out.”

“Is she going to call me ‘Mom’ or just ‘Lily’? What if she calls me ‘Lils’? I hate when people shorten my name! Should I pretend to like it?” Lily pressed a hand to her forehead, her mind spinning. “I mean, I’m wearing purple, her favorite color. What if she thinks I’m trying too hard? Who am I to have a kid? I barely remember when it’s time to eat!”

Caleb laughed, leaning back in his seat. “Tell me about it! But you have your alarms now. You’re good Auntie.”

Lily pulled out her phone, ready to set a dozen more alarms when Greyson stepped into the room, concern etched across his face. He approached her and gently took the phone from her hands. “Hey, let’s take a breath first, okay?”

“But what if?—”

“No ‘what ifs.’ Just focus on the moment. Ivy is excited to meet you, I promise,” Greyson reassured her, his voice calming and steady. No matter what their relationship was, she trusted him in that moment.

Caleb jumped up, pretending to act like a personal hype man. “You’ve got this, Auntie! Just remember, she’s just a kid! And if she hates you, I’ll just bribe her with video games and snacks.”

Lily couldn’t help but laugh, the tension easing a little. “You think that’ll work?”

Caleb grinned mischievously. “Absolutely! You’ll have a new best friend in no time.”

With a deep breath, Lily nodded. The door opened, and Ivy stepped inside, her dark eyes bright with curiosity and a brief hesitation. Lily’s breath hitched in her throat.

She was even morebeautifulin person.And tall! Already past Lily’s shoulders. Her long braids were pulled back, and she wore a jumbo hoodie and leggings, making her look like any other preteen. However, she was not any other preteen. Ivy washerbaby.

Ivy slipped off her shoes, looked at Greyson, who nodded encouragingly.

“Hi, Ivy,” Lily managed to say, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and fear.

Ivy tilted her head, studying her mother with wide eyes, and then broke into a smile. “You’re wearing purple! That’s my favorite color!”

Lily’s heart soared at the recognition, and she found herself smiling back. “I wanted you to know I was thinking of you.”

Ivy’s grin widened, and in that moment, all of Lily’s worries melted away. “I like your hair too. It eats.” Ivy nodded approvingly.

Lily laughed. “Thank you. I like it better than the blonde.”

Ivy nodded. “This is more, you. The other look is like an avatar.”

Lily grinned even bigger. “Exactly. LaLa is my avatar!”

They all laughed for a moment and as it petered out, Lily grew nervous. She didn’t know what to do with her hands and she didn’t want to move too soon.

“Hey Ivy, I’m your cousin Caleb,” he said as he opened his arms for a hug and she immediately allowed him to fold her in. For the first time in her life, Lily was jealous of her nephew.

“I’m the reigning Tetris king and I can show you all the ways to beat Auntie Lily.”

Ivy laughed, her eyes settling back on her. “Could I maybe, hug you?”

“Oh God, yes please,” Lily said immediately, and was rewarded with the sweetest hug she’d ever experienced. They stood like that for long moments, Lily absorbing Ivy’s warmth, her presence, her very essence into her soul. Before she knew it, she’d soaked Ivy in her tears. “My sweet baby, I missed you for so long.”

Ivy squeezed her tighter. “I missed you too–Mom.”

Somewhere, beneath the ashes of the life torn from her, Lily felt something new bloom. And she would protect this new blossom with everything she had in her.

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