Page 44 of Chasing Forever
Kayla stands with her cotton candy, and Wren follows. The girls hug and promise to see each other Monday. Then Wren heads toward Lottie and me. For a split second, it feels as if Wren is ours. I can’t help but soak the feeling in like a sponge.
God, I want us walking around the fair hand in hand with our child or children, if we’re so lucky. I’ve always yearned for a family of my own. I used to think family was something you were born into, but as I grew older, I realized that being born into a family doesn’t mean there’s love and attachment and respect for one another. But this? This makes me believe it’s something you can build. No way I’m telling Lottie that right now though. She’d bolt.
We say our goodbyes and head toward the exit.
Wren sidles up between us. “Did you know Kayla lived in Omaha?” Wren looks between us as though Omaha is as impressive as New York City.
“That’s cool.” Lottie opens the back door of her SUV, and Wren climbs in, cotton candy still in hand. Lottie shuts the door and glances at me. “Need me to open your door?”
“Nah, I’ll get this one myself. But you’re cutting it close. Drop Wren off, and I’ll find my own way home from the ranch.”
“No way.” She shakes her head and gets in the vehicle.
She’s just started the car when her phone rings with Bennett’s name lighting up the screen. She presses the button to take the call over Bluetooth.
“Say hi to Daddy,” Lottie says, looking through the rearview mirror at Wren.
“Daddy! I saw Kayla. Can I have her over for a sleepover?”
“We’ll talk about it.” Bennett’s voice is clipped. “Lottie.”
“We’re leaving now. I just have to drop off Brooks first.”
She puts the car in drive. There’s a line of traffic crawling away from the fair. It won’t take more than twenty minutes, but it’s enough to make her even later.
“I told you ten because we have something tomorrow. Zeke and Megan are coming.”
“Grandma and Grandpa! Yay!”
I glance over my shoulder to see Wren all smiles, kicking her feet back and forth.
Kristie’s parents. They live outside of Omaha by Kristie’s sister.
“Okay, we’re coming,” Lottie says.
“We’ll drop Wren off first,” I add.
“I got cotton candy,” Wren announces, completely unaware she’s outing her sugar high.
“Great.” Bennett’s tone doesn’t improve.
“On our way.” Lottie ends the call and glances at me. “I’ll drop her off and then you. You are my date, after all.”
“You guys are on a date?” Wren asks from the back seat. “I don’t think I’m supposed to be on the date with you.”
I grin at her through the rearview. “We wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun without you.”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t. Thanks again for taking me.”
I face forward as Lottie weaves through the traffic.
“So, do you want to tell me about Greg Miller?” she asks.
I figured that was coming, but I don’t really have an answer. “Nothing to tell. Their alarm went off. I had to go check it out.” I shrug. “He seems like a good guy.”
“They have an alarm?”
I laugh. “Might be the only ones in town with one. I guess the ‘being from Omaha’ thing made them do it.”
