Page 47 of (Un)Spoken

“I think dogs are it for me,” he said. “I’ve always wanted one, but with my schedule, I never wanted to leave it alone for too long.”

“Maybe you can get it now,” Emilia offered. “We can help you! I’d do such a good job walking it and loving it! Right, Mommy?”

“We’ll see,” I chuckled, pressing a kiss to her brow. “But that’s really up for Adam to decide. Dogs are a big commitment.”

The conversation died out as Emilia turned all her attention to her dessert, taking bites bigger than what should have been physically possible. I leaned back in my seat, sighing as I took in the rolling hills surrounding us. The colors of the fall were just starting to break out over the mountains, the leaves shifting to shades of red, orange, and yellow. It was beautiful, and I couldn’t wait to see all the leaves change back in town. I’d taken Emilia down by the lake a couple of times, but they weren’t quite there yet, still hanging on to their summer greens a little bit longer. Not that I could blame them.

“So, trouble,” Adam asked. “Put any more thought into that list of yours?”

Emilia looked up at me, her cheeks stuffed with ice cream and toppings. “What list?”

“Take human-sized bites, baby,” I said, wiping the excess from around her mouth. “And it’s just something Mommy’s been thinking about. Some things I want to do before I get too old.”

She giggled, but Adam stared at me like he could read my thoughts. He could see I was hiding behind my answer, not wanting my daughter to know there were so many things that scared me. I shifted under the weight of his stare. “I haven’t thought about it much.”

He shook his head, pointing his spoon in my direction. “Then now is as good a time as any. C’mon, Tor, think of one thing you want to do. It can be something small to start. Maybe something we can all do before you go back home.”

My stomach churned at his words.When we go back home. Even though we’d only been here for a week, it was already feeling more like home than Texas had in a long time. Maybe it was having our own space or because people were taking so much time to include us, but I was starting to feel like I might belong here. That Emilia and I might belong here.

That was ridiculous. My home was in Texas.Camwas in Texas. It wasn’t even worth a second thought.Focus on the now, I reminded myself.Enjoy your time while you’re here. Smiling back at Adam, I tried to shove all my negative thoughts back into their box. “I guess if I could do anything, I’d want to travel more. But with us already being here, I can check that off the list.”

“Nuh-uh,” Adam answered. “That’s a cop-out and you know it. I want something specific, Campbell, and make it a good one.”

I rolled my eyes and slid my hand over my face. “If I hadto think of anything off the top of my head, I guess…” I sighed, looking up at the sky. “All of this talk about horses makes me miss riding. I’ve always wanted to have one of my own, but they’re a lot of work. Maybe I could look into riding while I’m here.”

Adam smiled. “Atta, girl. Was that so hard?”

Yes, it was.It was hard to voice my random dreams out loud, taking something so abstract and making it more concrete. If you never put your dreams into words, then you won’t be disappointed if they never come true.

“I think you should do it, Mommy,” Emilia said, pushing the half-eaten plate toward Adam.

“Maybe, baby. We’ll have to see.”

“What else?” Adam asked, diving into Emilia’s leftovers.

“I’m not sure.”

He paused, watching me. “I’m giving you until the end of the week to come up with two more things. No excuses, trouble.”

I let out a bark of laughter. “Are you giving me homework, Rice?”

“Yup,” he answered with a sly smirk. “Gotta make sure you’re keeping up with this list. Don’t want you slacking on me.”

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t help my smile. The fact that Adam wanted me to achieve my dreams meant a lot. For so long, I’d had these daydreams, thoughts about what I would do if I ever got free time again, but I always convinced myself that other things were more important. Something about telling Adam my dreams made them come to life, like he’d stop at nothing to make sure they came true.

Emilia hopped off the picnic table, rushing over to Adam’s side. “Can I add something to Mommy’s list?”

He nodded, “I think that’s a great idea.” She smiled, tugging the arm of his sweater until she was able to whisper in his ear. When she finished, Adam was beaming at me. “That is a great addition. You know, you’re pretty awesome, kid.”

She shrugged her shoulders, proudly smiling at me. “I know.”

“Don’t I get to know what you’re adding to my list?”

“Nope,” Emilia said.

I glanced at Adam, hoping for some backup, but he just smirked at me. “Trust me, trouble. It’ll be worth the wait.”

TWENTY-EIGHT

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