Page 82 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Laurel met his gaze. “I think that can be arranged. We’ll keep you updated, okay?”

“Please do. I don’t want to lose track of her. And again, I’m so sorry this has fallen on the two of you. Mallory and Mike would be so grateful for the way y’all have stepped in.”

“Thank you, Patty,” Gavin said. “That means a lot to us.”

They said their good-byes, then Gavin disconnected the call.

***

Laurel hugged herself as she watched Emma chasing Sunny around a tree. The girl took a tumble, and the dog doubled back to check on her. Emma got back up and snatched at Sunny’s tail. The dog gave a joyful bark.

“Well,” Gavin said. “I guess that’s that.”

“I guess so.” It was all sinking in. Patty was out of the picture. Laurel was going to raise Emma. As she watched the girl scamper through the grass, her heart swelled a size or two.

She’s mine now.

The thought quickened her heart. She hated that Emma wouldn’t have a father figure. Single women raised children all the time, of course, but growing up without a dad had left a hole in her heart. And she also disliked the thought of taking Emma from her home—but it couldn’t be helped. Her job was in Asheville and the long commute would keep her away from Emma far too many hours of the day.

She’d need to find a good day care. She’d need to pack up Emma’s things and move them, set up a nursery in her guest room. Put her spare bedroom suite in storage or sell it.

Sunny gave a cheerful bark.

Wait.

Her apartment didn’t allow pets. And there was no way she could separate Emma from that dog. She’d have to move, and she still had three months left on her lease. Her stomach bottomed out. Well, there was nothing to be done about that. Maybe she could get out of her lease. Either way, she’d need to find a new place and soon.

“Are you going to do it?” Gavin asked.

It wouldn’t be easy—none of it. But there was a beautiful little girl who needed somebody, and there was no way Laurel would abandon her. She would do Mike and Mallory proud. Resolve threaded through her innermost parts. “I’m going to do it.”

His gaze sharpened on hers, no doubt taking in her set shoulders, her raised chin, and the determination that filled her so thoroughly it must be leaking out through her pores.

“Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

His lashes lowered briefly, his facial muscles relaxing. He nodded slowly, something coming over his expression. Flickering in his eyes. Something that looked an awful lot like admiration. “All right, then, Jenkins. Let’s give Darius a call.”

As it turned out, the attorney was in court, so Laurel left a message on his voice mail. Then she did a little homework. She put in a few calls to the day-care centers on her side of town. A coworker recommended a place nearby, and they were supposed to call her back.

She also found an affordable apartment that allowed pets and had an immediate opening.

A while later Laurel grabbed the baby monitor and moved it down the row, closer to where Gavin worked on the trellis.

“When are you planning to head back home?” he asked.

“As soon as I can arrange everything, I guess.”

“Maybe you could leave Sunny here for the week. That way Emma would go to a place she’s familiar with. It would give you a little time to settle things with the new apartment.”

“That’s a good idea. You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course not. You’ll be back to work on Monday.”

“I guess so.”

“I can bring Sunny down next weekend and help you move to the new apartment.”

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