Page 34 of Gideon

I gave him a faint smile. “Glad we got you out, especially since you’re the doctor.”

Pete patted my shoulder. “Try to get some rest. I’m going to get some shut-eye, too.”

16

Laney

“Here it is,”Mike said as we pulled into the driveway. “Are you nervous about meeting Dad and Georgie? Dad also has a three-year-old, Ellie. I haven’t met her yet.”

“I’m so sorry, Mike. This must be so exciting for you, and here I am, stuck,” I said, my hands gripping the steering wheel. “I don’t think I can go any further. I’ll let you have your time with your dad. I’ll come back another time.”

I stopped the truck in the middle of the driveway, unable to force myself to move forward.

“No, please don’t leave,” Mike pleaded. “Look at my hands—they’re shaking. I’m scared, and I don’t want to do this alone. I know I’m acting like a child, but the last time I was here, I was eighteen.” His voice cracked slightly, and I could tell he was saying it to bolster my courage as much as his own.

We sat there, looking at each other, when I felt someone watching us. I turned and saw a man standing in the yard, staring at Mike.

“Mike,” I said softly, “he’s here.”

Before I could say more, Mike’s door swung open, and he was pulled into a strong embrace. I watched as father and sonhugged, tears streaming down their faces. They were almost the same size and looked so much alike it was uncanny.

“Is that my Grandpa?” Haley asked from the backseat.

“Yes,” I said.

“Are we going to get out?”

“I don’t know yet,” I replied, my voice trembling. “We brought Mike home, and that’s what I wanted to do.”

“Mama, there’s my little Aunt Ellie!” Before I could stop her, Haley jumped out of the truck and ran toward the little girl standing nearby.

Mike and our dad turned at the commotion, and I saw Dad move toward Haley. Instinctively, I jumped out of the truck and stepped in front of my daughter, blocking him.

“Dad, let me introduce you to Laney,” Mike said quickly.

Our dad’s expression softened, and he smiled. “Laney, I’m so happy to meet you. We just returned from California—we went there hoping to see you. You’re beautiful. You look like your mom, except her eyes were brown, and you’ve got my eyes. I’m sorry I didn’t know about you when you were little.”

“That’s not your fault,” I said, swallowing hard. “My mom should’ve written your name down for me. It feels strange looking at you and knowing you’re my Dad. Didn’t you ever think to wear a condom?”

He burst out laughing, doubling over. “Yes, when I finally grew up!”

Mike chuckled and put an arm around me. “Let’s go home.”

“Home,” I repeated, the word foreign but comforting.

“Yes, home. And thank you for rescuing me.” He hugged me, and I hugged him back tightly.

“Mommy, this is Ellie, my aunt!” Haley exclaimed, pulling Ellie over to us.

“Hello, Ellie. So, you’re my sister,” I said, glancing at Dad, who chuckled again.

“And this,” Mike said, “is Haley, your granddaughter.”

Dad knelt in front of her. “Haley, you’re as beautiful as your mommy.”

“I know,” Haley replied matter-of-factly. “Uncle Raven told me.” We all laughed.

I picked Ellie up and hugged her gently. Poor baby—she didn’t have a mom. “I have to park the truck,” I said.

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