Page 98 of When to Call a Blitz

“You started the animal thing?”

She nods.

“She thought it was fun at first and then told me she wouldn’t be my friend. I’m,” she sobs loudly and has to pause, “I—I’m jus—just trying to h—help.”

Heidi crawls to the couch, climbing into it and pulling her close. “You are helping, sweetie. And you have the biggest heart that I’ve ever seen. But there’s a time and a place, and you can’t bring them into the school.”

“Can I bring them here?” Juniper looks right at me, her eyes glossy from crying.

“I—”

“Hey,” Heidi interrupts me, holding her face in her hands. “There’s some rules we have to follow here, too. But we can look at it case by case, and if there’s an issue and an animal needs help, we can call a vet, okay?”

Juniper nods, wiping her eyes with her arm. “Elara is angry with me.”

Heidi opens her arms for a hug, and Juniper practically throws herself into them. “You know what’s really great?” she asks, her fingers lacing through Juniper’s dark hair. “Friendships with strong women. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t issues. There’s a lot of opinions. You don’t grow at the same time, and you both experience life differently.” Heidi places a kiss on top of her head. “But having those friendships are worth everything and more. Elara set a boundary.”

Juniper looks up at her, her lashes sticking together from crying, her eyes puffy. “But boundaries are good. They’re meant for both of you and show you how to be a better friend toeach other.You have to respect where the other one is.”

Juniper nods, tucking her head back into Heidi’s chest.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch them. Watching Heidi interreact with my daughter like this. It’s one thing to see them dancing and smiling, it’s another to watch her eyes mist as she consoles my daughter.

As she mothers her.

The final little piece of the puzzle fits into the spot in my heart, and it feels like I’m crashing. Like I’m in a car and the breaks give out, a solid concrete wall in front of me.

I need her.

Juniper needs her.

And I’ll do anything to make it happen.

43

HEIDI

Juniper is fast asleep in her bed. We picked out her best, comfiest pajamas, I did her hair, and we sat on the couch and watched a movie with some popcorn for the night. It was a 2000s romcom. Perfect for the occasion and the epitome of girlhood.

When I’m sure she’s fast asleep, I head out to the kitchen where I find Emmett at the island, a grim look on his beautiful face.

“What’s wrong?” I immediately worry.

He shakes his head. “Nothing.”

“Emmett. We’re awenow. Please let me in.”

His blue eyes pierce mine, studying me in a way that feels so much more intimate since the other day. Since we crossed that line.

“She’s never felt what it’s like to have a mom,” he admits, looking down at his hands around his smoothie.

“That’s okay,” I assure him, perching my head on my hands from the other side of the countertop. “You’ve done amazing, Emmett.”

“I’ve done alright.”

I shake my head. “No, you’ve done amazing. That girl in there is one of the best kids I’ve ever known, Emmett. And that’s because of you.”

He looks up at me, his eyes shiny. “You did amazing today,” he says suddenly, pulling away from his seat.

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