Page 34 of Holiday Haven

“It’s not.” There were several missed calls from his brother. He quickly swiped the screen to answer the call. “Alec? What's up?”

“We found her.”

“Who?” He couldn't seem to think straight with Krista being so close.

“The scarf woman. Her name is Nancy Williamson and, according to the birth records down at the Milwaukee courthouse she gave birth to a baby girl named Joy Marie Williamson seven weeks ago.” His brothers voice held a note of excitement. “You were right. Your mystery woman is Joy's mother.”

CHAPTERELEVEN

Krista held her breath as she listened to the phone call between Alec and Adam.

They'd found Joy’s mother?

A mixture of emotions swirled in her chest. Relief, gladness, weariness, apprehension. Of course, the best thing for Joy would be to be reunited with her mother. If her mother didn't have psychiatric or substance abuse problems.

She crossed her arms protectively over her chest as Adam continued speaking with his brother. On one hand, she was thrilled to discover Joy wasn't all alone in the world.

But she couldn't ignore the dread curling in her stomach. She knew better than most, that all homes were not created equal. That the people who were supposed to love and care for children often didn't.

That blood was not always thicker than water.

“I'm sick of taking care of these brats. It's someone else's turn to suffer. I don't care what you think, I'm dropping them off. Today!”

She slammed the door on the painful memory. One of many, although her Aunt Rhonda had been by far the worst. She'd screamed at them on a regular basis. Slapped her and Danielle across the face several times. And withheld food as a punishment when they did something that made her angry. Krista shook her head, trying to dislodge the buzzing in her ears. She vaguely realized Adam had ended his call with his brother and was looking at her with concern.

“You found Joy’s mother?” Somehow, she managed to pull herself together.

“We think so, but we need to talk to her first.” His brow furrowed and he took a step toward her. “You look ill. What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” She inwardly winced at the defensive note in her tone. “I'm glad you found Joy's mother. Are you going to see her now?”

“Yes, that's the plan.” He eyed her warily. “I'm meeting with Alec in an hour. Why?”

She straightened, dropping her arms and taking on a more casual stance. “Good. Because I'm coming with you.”

There was a long moment before Adam reached for his coat. “Don't you trust me? I'm not going to hand Joy over to this woman unless I'm convinced doing so would be in the baby's best interests.”

Trust him? The notion brought her up short. She did trust Adam. More than she trusted any other man in her life. But that wasn’t the point. She needed to meet Joy's mother for herself. She wouldn't be able to rest until she knew for sure Joy's mother really loved and cared about the baby. “I understand, and I do trust you. But I’d still like to come.” She hesitated then added, “Please, Adam.”

“Okay.” He slipped on his coat and took a step toward the door. “Let’s go. I just need to run home and change first.”

“Great, thanks.” She shrugged into her coat and followed him into the hall. After closing and locking the door behind her, they took the steps down to the first floor.

Outside, they trudged to his car they’d left parked in the small lot behind the building. The freshly shoveled sidewalks reminded her of their brief snowball fight. And how it had ended in a heated kiss. For a few minutes there, she felt as if she gotten closer to the real Adam Monroe.

As she settled in the passenger seat, her stomach fluttered nervously with the anticipation of meeting Joy's mother.

She wished there was time to go and see Joy one last time. To hold the baby close, nuzzling her downy, soft head. To watch her smile as she waved her arms over her head, batting at the mobile strung over the crib.

To kiss her satiny soft cheek, breathing in her sweet baby scent.

Tears threatened and she blinked them back with an effort. This wasn't about her, but about what was best for Joy. Everything was going to be fine. She trusted Adam and Alec to do what was right.

Glancing at Adam’s strong profile, she couldn't help remembering how his eyes had darkened with passion when he'd kissed her.

For some odd reason, she felt as if their time together would end once they’d reunited Joy with her mother.

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