Page 74 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

He removed the ring from the box and slid it onto her finger. She watched it twinkle in the last rays of sunlight. “It’s so beautiful, Gavin.”

“You’re beautiful.” He tipped her chin up and gave her another kiss. But this one lasted so long, they later found themselves hiking down the mountain in the dark.

Chapter28

Gavin lifted a sleeping Emma carefully from the car seat and headed toward the house. Once they were inside, Sunny’s entire backside wagged with glee at the sight of them.

“Put her in the master,” Laurel said quietly. “That way we can assemble the bed in her room.”

“Good idea.” He headed upstairs.

After the phone call from Patty, it had been a quiet ride back to Riverbend. Gavin spent the time digesting the fact that Patty might not take Emma after all. And thinking about what Laurel had said—that she wouldn’t let the girl go to foster care—and what that would mean for Emma. For him.

Sadly, he also spent a great deal of time picking apart Laurel’s comment about closure. His stomach twisted hard every time he thought about that. Maybe that wasn’t what he wanted.

Just as he laid Emma on the bed, a text came in. Thankfully the toddler settled in for a longer nap. He pushed some pillows around her and closed the door on his way out.

The text was from Wes.Did you get a chance to check on the drywallers today?

Gavin winced. He shouldn’t have shirked his duty today. Wes was holding down a full-time job and couldn’t swing by the site at a moment’s notice like he could.

No, I didn’t get over there yet. Got some things going on here. I’ll try and stop by tonight. PS: Not looking good with Emma’s aunt.

Sorry, man. No worries. I can check on it tonight.

Gavin should step up. He was the boss. But his time with Laurel and Emma was winding to a close, and that somehow left him feeling desperate.Thanks.

He pocketed his phone and went outside to retrieve the bed. Laurel was there, struggling to lift the large, awkward box from the truck.

“Here, I got it.” He took the package from her and headed back into the house, Sunny underfoot the whole way.

“Want some coffee?” Laurel asked once they were back inside. “The sun really took it out of me.”

“Love some. Thanks.” He headed up the steps and into the nursery where he set the box down and surveyed the tight space. The crib would have to go first.

His phone vibrated with a call, and he checked the screen before accepting it. “Hey, Avery, what’s up?”

“I just heard about Patty. She’s not going to take Emma?”

“Wow, that was fast even for our family.” He headed back out to his truck for his tools.

“I just got off the phone with Wes. What’s going to happen to Emma now?”

“She hasn’t given her final answer yet.” He went on to explainPatty’s extenuating circumstances. “She’s going to let us know by Friday.”

“What a terrible set of circumstances. Why can’tsomethingwork in Emma’s favor?”

He opened the truck toolbox and grabbed his screwdriver and utility knife. “I know. But maybe they’ll decide to take her after all.”

“Poor kiddo’s had enough change. But if they don’t decide to raise her... jeez, Gav. Would you really be able to just hand her over to strangers?”

He headed back into the house. He hadn’t planned to bring up Laurel, but maybe it would ease Avery’s worry to know there was a plan B. “If Patty bails, I think Laurel’s planning to take her.”

He was back in the nursery by the time his sister answered. “She’d be staying in Riverbend?”

“She’d take Emma back to Asheville.”

“Okay, good.”

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