Page 78 of Not Another Beach Read
We sat like that for a while, the three of us with Eden curled at our feet, discussing what the adoption process might look like. Drew explained that we'd need to reach out to my sister eventually, to see if she really wanted to voluntarily terminate her parental rights. If not, we'd have a legal battle ahead, but he assured Holly we were in it for the long haul.
Later, after Holly had gone to bed, Drew and I sat at the kitchen table, the weight of our earlier confrontation still hanging between us.
"I meant what I said," I told him. "I'm done with the detective work. For real this time." I pulled out my phone and opened Facebook. "Watch."
I navigated to the message thread with the woman who had asked for my help. I typed quickly:
I'm sorry, but I won't be able to help you after all. I can recommend some reputable private investigators in the area who can assist you professionally and safely.
I hit send, then blocked the contact.
I looked up at Drew. "No more. I promise."
He reached across the table and took my hand. "Thank you. I just want you safe, Elyse. You, me, and Holly—we have something really special here. I don't want to see you throw that away."
"I know," I said softly. "And I won't."
Drew stood and pulled me to my feet, wrapping his arms around me. "I love you, you know. Even when you're driving me crazy."
"I love you too," I whispered. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
He kissed my forehead. "Never."
As we headed to bed, I felt lighter than I had in months. The rush of my detective work had been replaced by something much more substantial—the certainty that I was exactly where I was supposed to be, with the people who mattered most.
My sister's addiction had nearly destroyed Holly's chance at a normal life. My ex-husband's betrayal had nearly destroyed my ability to trust. But here we were, building something beautiful from the broken pieces.
Drew was right; I couldn't save everyone from pain. But I could focus on the family right in front of me.
The next fewweeks were a blur of lawyer appointments, paperwork, and heart-to-heart conversations with Holly about what she wanted for her future. Drew took a week off work to help navigate the initial legal process, and I adjusted the bookstore's hours to accommodate our new schedule. But everything went more smoothly than I could have ever imagined. Almost as if it were meant to be.
ELYSE
The following Monday, I was arranging a display of beach reads—ironic, given my recent disdain for them—when Grace walked in, a knowing smile on her face.
"How's my favorite reformed vigilante?" she asked, keeping her voice low enough that the few customers browsing couldn't hear.
I rolled my eyes. "Did Drew and Cat tell everyone?"
"Not everyone. Just me. And possibly Paige. Who probably told Sarah. Who definitely told Jenna." Grace's eyes twinkled. "So, no. Not everyone."
I groaned. "Great."
Grace leaned against the counter. "Don't be embarrassed. We're all just glad you finally came to your senses before something bad happened."
"I know, I know," I said, arranging a stack of Grace's latest romance novel prominently on the display. "I was being reckless. Point taken."
"And how are things with the adoption process?" Grace asked, smoothly changing the subject.
At this, I couldn't help but smile. "Moving along. My parentsare fully supportive, which helps. And my dad's been trying to track down my sister to see if she'll sign the paperwork voluntarily."
"Do you think she will?"
I sighed. "Honestly? I have no idea. On her better days, she loves Holly more than anything. But addiction makes people do terrible things." I thought about the things my sister had stolen, the lies she'd told, the promises she'd broken. "I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much. Just because she said it before doesn't mean she'll actually follow through on it."
Grace squeezed my arm. "Well, regardless of what happens with the legal stuff, that girl knows she has a home with you and Drew. That's what matters most."
"Thanks, Grace." I gestured to the display I was working on. "What do you think? Too cliché to put sunglasses and little paper umbrellas with the beach reads?"
