Page 93 of Skylar

Rather than pursue that topic of conversation, Aiden started to read the next chapter. But Skylar had a feeling that it was still in his mind, just like it was in hers.

When Shiloh had finished her coloring, she declared that she wanted to play a game. They were sorting out the cards forGo Fishwhen her mom came out with a pitcher of lemonade and three glasses.

“I thought you might be getting thirsty,” she said as she poured juice for each of them.

“We are,” Skylar replied, picking up her glass. “I’ve been reading out loud, so my throat is parched.”

“It sounds like you’ve been having fun out here.”

“We’re going to playGo Fish,Grandma.” Shiloh held up her handful of cards. “Want to play too?”

“Not today, darling,” she said, bending to press a kiss on the top of Shiloh’s head. “I’m spending some time with Grandpa. Next time though.”

After she went back inside, Skylar had Shiloh explain the rules to them just to make sure they were all on the same page. At some point, Shiloh began to show some tiredness. Skylar had her come sit on her lap and they played one hand together against Aiden.

Skylar took in the feel of her daughter on her lap. The scent of her shampoo. The little laugh she’d give each time she told Aiden to go fish.

She packed away every little detail to pull out later when she was back in Vegas and missing Shiloh and the rest of her family.

By the time Charli returned to pick Shiloh up, she was definitely showing signs of being exhausted, and Skylar hoped she hadn’t overdone things by hanging out with her and Aiden. Charli didn’t seem overly concerned, however. Just commenting that they’d take a nap when they got home.

After Skylar had hugged Shiloh, she turned to Charli, her eyes flooding with tears as her older sister gathered her into her arms.

“Thank you,” Skylar whispered. “Thank you for being such a great mom to her. I love you.”

Charli’s embrace tightened. “I love you too. I know it was hard to give her up, but just know that you gave Blake and me the best gift ever. We love her with all our hearts, and I’m glad that she knows about you now and the sacrifice you made so that she could be part of our family.”

They stood together for a couple of minutes as Skylar silently wept on her sister’s shoulder. When she finally felt the swell of emotion ebb, Skylar took a deep breath, then stepped back, reaching to wipe her cheeks with the sleeve of her T-shirt.

“Here you go, darling,” her mom said, pressing a wad of tissues into her hand.

“Thanks.” As Skylar dried her eyes and blew her nose, she noticed that Shiloh wasn’t there. Nor was her dad or Aiden.

“They went out onto the front porch to see the bird feeder Dad put in last week.”

Skylar was glad that Shiloh hadn’t been there to witness her meltdown. “I guess we should go see it, too.”

Charli led the way, while her mom looped her arm through Skylar’s and followed Charli.

Aiden was holding Shiloh in his arms while Skylar’s dad showed off the bird feeder that hung from a branch of a tree in the front yard. Emotion once again threatened to choke her, but Skylar swallowed hard and refused to let the tears spill yet again.

At Charli’s urging, she gave Shiloh one more hug, then a few minutes later, waved as Charli drove down the driveway.

Once they were gone, her parents went back into the house. Skylar and Aiden remained on the porch. Skylar wanted to turn to Aiden for support in that emotional moment, but that wasn’t how things were between them.

“Do you need a ride to the airport tomorrow?” Aiden asked, breaking the silence.

“Uh, I think my dad was going to take me.”

“If you want, I can give you a ride to Coeur d’Alene.”

Skylar shifted to look at him. “Don’t you need to work?”

“I can go in a little late. I’ll just stay at Mom’s tonight.”

Where the idea would have been abhorrent not that long ago, Skylar now found herself considering it. “If you’re sure.”

“I’m positive.”

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