Page 71 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

“So,” Laurel said. “If you did decide to take on this challenge, you’d need to stay there in Florida.”

“That’s what I’m getting at. I realize it would be better for Emma to stay in familiar surroundings. But children are resilient—that’s what I hear anyway. I’m just talking out loud, you understand. This is a lot for a woman who’s never had kids of her own.”

“We understand,” Gavin said.

“I guess I need to ask this, too, just so I know exactly where things stand: If Robert and I couldn’t take Emma, what would happen to her? Is there some other family member on Mike’s side who’d be able to step in?”

Gavin looked at Laurel, his face betraying the same despondency she felt. “There is no one else, Patty.”

They had to make her understand. “If you’re not able to take her, she’ll become a ward of the state. They’ll find her a foster family with the hopes she’ll get adopted eventually.” Laurel’s stomach went sour at the thought.

“That could take years,” Gavin added. “Or it might never happen at all. There’s no guarantee she’d stay in the area either.”

Laurel could not let that happen. She would take her first. She’d have to move her to Asheville, and Mallory and Mike’s beloved orchard would go to ruin. The thought was a punch to the gut. But at least the child would stay with someone who loved her. Someone who could keep alive the memory of her parents.

“Oh, this is just awful,” Patty said. “How can it have come to this? Mallory was such a good mother. How can she be gone? And Emma . . .” Her words choked off. “That darling baby girl. It’s all so unfair.”

“Believe me,” Gavin said, “we’re right there with you.”

They hadn’t gone over the financials yet. It sounded as if Patty and Robert might be financially set, but maybe knowing they could also petition for guardianship of the estate would alleviate some concern. “We can send you Mike and Mallory’s will and financial documents. We should’ve done that already.”

“It’s really not about the money,” Patty said. “I feel so awful. I do love that little girl. Oh, how I wish I could just jump on board with this, but my wishes are not the only ones that matter anymore.”

“We understand,” Gavin said. “But I’ll send the documents just the same. You should have all the information before you make a decision.”

“Thank you.” She gave her email address, and Laurel jotted it down. “I know this has disrupted both of your lives. I promise to give you an answer by Friday. Will that work? Can you manage that long?”

Laurel and Gavin traded a helpless look. They would have to.

“We’ll wait to hear from you then, Patty,” Gavin said.

They said their good-byes, and Gavin turned off the phone. A long silence settled in the cab between them. Patty was clearly torn between obligation and her commitment to her fiancé. While Laurel felt a little frustrated with her, she couldn’t really fault the woman. She was in a hard place.

Gavin stared out the windshield, his hands still grasping the steering wheel.

“It’s not sounding good,” Laurel said finally.

“The business-owning fiancé is an unfortunate plot twist.” He glanced over at her. “If you can’t wait around until Friday, I’ll figure something out.”

“I’m staying. But my PTO will pretty much run out by then.”

“I don’t want you jeopardizing your promotion. Maybe you should commute.”

He was probably right but... She glanced back at Emma to find the child’s lips parted in sleep. So young and innocent. She’d already lost so much. And Laurel wanted to be there for her in a way she hadn’t expected. “I don’t want to leave her with someone else.”

Laurel turned her attention back to Gavin. “And I won’t let her go into foster care.” Her voice rang with all the resolution she felt. She didn’t know exactly how she’d make it work, but she would find a way.

“It might not come to that.”

“Maybe it won’t. But I’m just telling you... I can’t let that happen to her.”

Chapter27

The rest of college didn’t pass uneventfully. Laurel studied hard to redeem her first semester. In the summers Gavin worked for a small local builder, learning the business from the ground up. Laurel worked at the nursery.

They were busy.

But during the school year they made time for each other by studying and eating together. And just as he had in high school, Gavin’s winsome ways helped Laurel form new bonds. Having him at her side made everything better.

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