Page 63 of Take Me to the Valley

Bennett, Willow, Storm, and River show up just as we get the last of the boxes into the house. We all gather in the backyard where there is seating and the grill. I’ve never seen so many people here at once, but it feels right.

Skye is in seventh heaven with the other children around. She’s taken to Emelie and likes to be with her. Right now, Skye’s playing with their son, Noah, who isn’t quite a year old yet. Skye can get that boy to laugh like no one else. Someday, she’s going to be a great big sister.

“Go mingle. We can unpack later,” Evan says kissing me on the cheek before heading off toward the grill.

“Hey, we were just talking about our summer trip to the lake,” Emelie says patting the spot on the wicker sofa next to her.

“What?” I ask, sitting down.

“It’s a tradition we started where we all spend a few days at the lake at the back of Cash and Hope’s property. We camp, swim, and we read in the sun, while the men hunt. It’s a great way to relax in the middle of the summer chaos of winter prep. You guys will be joining us, right?” Willow asks.

“Oh Um… I…” I glance over at Evan. I don’t want to commit to something he hadn’t planned.

Evan’s eyes meet mine and it’s like he can read my mind.

Walking over to us, he asks, “What’s up?” His eyes are focused on mine.

“They were talking about their trip to the lake and asked if we were going,” I say.

“I already cleared it with Cody so long as you want to go,” he says.

I smile and turn back to the girls.

“It sounds like fun,” I say.

“Yes!” Skye claps and everyone giggles.

“Skye, do you know how to swim?” Jenna asks.

“Yep, Daddy and Nana taught me before I even started school,” she says with a proud smile.

“Well, what about making quilts? Any interest? We normally make a few baby quilts while we are there,” Willow says.

“I’ve never made a quilt. Will you teach me?” Skye asks eagerly.

“And me?” I’m thinking this might be something Skye and I can learn together.

“I’d love to teach you! They sell well at Jack's shop. Even with all of us doing them, he can’t keep them in stock. The touristslove handmade quilts from ‘The Women of The Mountains.’ That how Sage pushes them in the store,” Willow says, nodding toward Sage, Jacks wife.

We talk and chat for hours. The kids all end up inside either asleep or barely holding their eyes open watching TV in the living room.

“We don’t want to be nosey, but we were wondering about Skye’s birth mother?” Emelie says gently.

“I don’t know much about her other than she left them to go be some big Hollywood actress. Though she hasn’t really made it. Evan reached out to her just last week about signing off on me adopting Skye outright. She didn’t want to talk to Skye or me, but agreed to sign the papers after we were married. I was surprised when she said she was glad Skye would have a mother figure and was sorry it couldn’t be her.”

“Wow.” The women sit there speechless.

“My mom said some people just aren’t wired to have kids because they can’t focus on anyone outside themselves,” I say. ”"It sounds like Skye’s mother did the best thing she could and left. If she had tried to force herself, it would have been much for traumatic.”

“That’s true. My mom was like that. Granted my dad left too, but I think my grandma would have taken me and my life would have been much different. I wouldn’t have been kidnapped by her for sure,” Hope says.

“But then you may never have ended up here with us either.” Jana wraps an arm around her.

“Well, I’d like to think I would because this is where I was meant to be. But it just might have happened differently,” Hope smiles.

“You two started working at the distillery, right?” River asks.

“Yeah, Evan is loving it so far, and has lots to learn. But I will say Skye and I breathe easier when he walks out the door now.”

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