Page 20 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Gavin waved them toward the sofas. “Why don’t we have a seat in the living room and talk through some things—if the two of you are feeling up to that.”

“Yes, of course,” Paul said. “There’s a lot to be settled.”

“First things first,” Judy said after they were seated. “What’s going to happen to Emma? Did they have a plan in place?”

Gavin glanced at Laurel, who gave him a nod. “Well, they did but . . . they made Laurel and me her guardians.”

Judy blinked, then nodded slowly. “Well, okay then. I know how much they loved you both.”

Paul put his arm around Judy. “And Emma feels comfortable with you—that much is obvious.”

Gavin didn’t like how easily they’d accepted that information. And it seemed odd that Mike wouldn’t have mentioned the divorce to them back when it happened. But then they hadn’t known Laurel and Gavin personally. Or maybe Mike had told them, and Paul and Judy had just forgotten.

“It’s not quite that simple.” Laurel’s gaze shifted to Gavin, seemingly waiting for him to deliver the blow.

“Laurel and I divorced three years ago.”

“Oh dear,” Judy said. “We didn’t know.”

“Obviously the will was drawn up when we were still together,” Laurel said. “When Mallory was pregnant the first time.”

Gavin weighed their reactions. Somebody had to broach the topic. Might as well be him. “We were actually wondering... would the two of you be able to care for her?”

The older couple regarded each other, and a moment later Judy spoke. “Of course we can. She’s our granddaughter. We’ve been talking about moving here anyway, haven’t we, Paul? There’s nothing holding us in Colorado now that the store’s closed.”

Hope rose inside as if riding in a helium bubble. This would be the perfect solution. “I think Emma would like that. I know how much she cares for you both.”

Laurel leaned forward. “Stability is so important for her right now. You could move in here with her for the time being. There would be a lot of people to help out, including me. I’m free every weekend.”

“And me, too, of course. You’ll have all the support you need.”

Judy stared off into the distance, seeming to space out for a moment.

Gavin followed her line of sight. The fireplace mantel. The family photo? She was probably lost in some memory.

She blinked and seemed present again. She clasped her hands in her lap, then gazed intently at Gavin. “But what about Emma? What’s the plan for her?”

What?Gavin swung his gaze to Paul. Then to Laurel. Her furrowed brow and blank look mirrored his confusion.

Paul gave them both a grimace and placed his hand over his wife’s. “We’ve become a little forgetful lately, haven’t we, sweetheart? Emma will be fine, honey. We’ll figure it out.” He squeezed her hand and let go. “Gavin, you think you could help me with something in the kitchen?”

“Uh, yes, of course.” He gave Laurel a slight shrug as he followed Paul and his walker into the kitchen, leaving Laurel to keep Judy company.

When Gavin reached the island, Paul stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I’m afraid Judy’s been having memory issues for months. She refuses to go to the doctor—keeps chalking it up to normal aging.”

Paul’s lips trembled. “But since yesterday’s phone call... it’s gotten bad. Really bad. I’ve had to tell her twice now that Mike is gone... I don’t know if I can do that again.”

Gavin winced. “Oh, Paul. I’m so sorry.” Poor Judy. How awful to realize over and over the death of a child as if you were just hearing it for the first time.

A tear trickled down Paul’s face. “I wish so badly we could keep Emma. We love her so much. But with Judy’s possible dementia, I justdon’t see how. I’m afraid to leave her alone, much less with a child. She could forget that Emma’s in the car or leave her home alone while she’s napping. We’re just in no shape to raise a small child, Gavin. But I’m very worried about what’s going to happen to her.”

Gavin cupped the man’s shoulder. “So are Laurel and I. But we’ll figure it out. I—I’m not sure I could raise a child alone right now—I’m just getting my new business off the ground, building custom homes, and I still work part-time at the campground. I have long workdays. I don’t think that’s in Emma’s best interest.” He felt so selfish saying that. Would Mike want him to raise his child? But how could he do that and make a living too? Then there was the orchard...

“And Laurel?” Paul asked. “Would she be willing to raise Emma?”

Gavin lifted a shoulder. “She loves her as much as I do. But she lives in Asheville and also has a demanding job. It’s definitely best for Emma to stay here at least for a while. She needs familiarity now more than ever. Is there anyone else you can think of? A relative on your side of the family perhaps?”

“There’s no one else on our side—except some distant cousins who barely know Mike and never even met Emma. But I think Mallory had an aunt she was close to.”

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