Page 58 of Sometimes You Stay

“It’s not like you try to hide what you’re feeling. Or if you do, you do a terrible job of it.”

He snorted, probably like she’d wanted him to. He was her puppet, and she knew exactly what to say to pull his strings.

Not that he was complaining.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, and he tried to remember if he’d ever known anyone else who asked such direct questions and spoke such frank truth. She pulled no punches but did so with genuine care and concern.

And she did care. Otherwise she wouldn’t ask or listen without interrupting. She wouldn’t be out in a barn on a chilly night when she could be cozy in her bed at the inn.

Finally, she took a shallow breath. “I was thinking about how your dad was with you the other day, how hard he hugged you before they left. I’m not an expert or anything”—sheswallowed thickly—“seeing as I never met my dad. But it’s clear to anyone who takes a glance that your dad loves you. He’s not disappointed with you at all. I didn’t even have to look hard to see the pride in his eyes. I don’t think you have to do anything or be anyone else to earn his respect. He sees you for who you are. And that’s a pretty great guy.”

He wanted to argue with her. Or maybe make her explain why she was so certain. But mostly, he wanted to know whereherfather was. If he was alive, how he could have missed out on being part of her life?

What an idiot.

Before he could ask, Bella let out a soft whimper, and Finn jumped to his knees beside the box, Cretia scrambling to his side.

Fourteen

Cretia had never witnessed a miracle before. But there was no other word to describe the wonder of Bella delivering ten healthy puppies. The way she cleaned and nuzzled them, snuggling them close, warming them with her body.

She’d settled into the corner opposite the heating lamp that Finn had set up. After all, no woman wanted to give birth under a spotlight.

The puppies wiggled and squeaked, their eyes still tightly pinched shut. All thriving.

Until the last one.

Finn’s neck went stiff when the final pup was born, his face drawn tight as he watched Bella. She licked and prodded the puppy, but it didn’t respond. It didn’t move.

Cretia grabbed Finn’s arm. “What’s wrong with it?”

“I don’t know yet, but will you grab me one of those towels and get the aspirator?”

“The what?” She launched herself at the pile of clean towels, searching for anything that looked remotely like the word sounded.

“The blue thing with the bulb on the end.”

She couldn’t understand how his voice remained so calm. Her heart thundered against her ribs, and she wanted to scream or cry or do something. Because the puppy still wasn’t moving.

As far as she could tell, it wasn’t breathing.

She snatched the blue bulb, nearly flinging it and the towel at him as she fell to his side.

Finn’s movements were much more measured, his shoulders rising and falling in even breaths. Scooping the little black bundle up in the towel, he rubbed his hands along its sides. But the puppy didn’t respond to the stimulation.

Bella lifted her head to see what he was doing, and Cretia smoothed her brow. “It’s okay, girl. He’s going to take good care of your little one. He’s gonna be just fine.”

Lord, let that be true.

Cretia couldn’t remember the last time she’d consciously prayed. It had probably been about her mom. A cry for God to heal her, to take away the illness that had stolen so much from them.

He hadn’t answered then, and Cretia didn’t have any indication that he would do so now. Still, she begged him.Save this little puppy. Please.

Maybe it was habit, but something made her reach for her phone. She pulled it out and began recording the scene. She’d probably never use this footage. It wasn’t about likes or comments or brand deals. This was for Finn. And for herself.

Years down the road, when she thought of him, she’d remember this moment. The gentle way he cradled a helpless puppy, the soft words he spoke over a frightened mom. The confidence of his actions and the steadiness of his hands.

Hers were shaking—the video absolutely unusable even if she had wanted to.

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