One thing was certain. Before Connor inserted himself into her life, she’d been subsisting. Coasting and slowly sinking. He’d demanded more of her than that, and he’d helped her realize she deserved better.
With Connor’s love, she found the strength, not only to love again but to live again.
She would live.
* * * *
Elaine drummed her fingernails on the windowpane, craning her neck to see if Connor’s truck was approaching.
“Why do you keep looking out the front window?” her dad asked.
“No reason.”
After their night in the woods, Connor had reluctantly returned to his motel. He’d been staying on the edge of town since the night she first spotted his cat. They’d made plans to reintroduce him to her folks right away and surprise Layla and Andy.
It had been difficult letting him go early that morning, but Elaine had never been so excited.
The rumbling of an engine caught her attention, and she checked the window again. She spotted Connor’s vintage pickup truck as it turned the corner onto the street. Before he even neared the house, she jumped up and said, “Someone’s at the door. I’ll get it!”
As she hurled herself outside, she heard her mom say to the kids, “What on earth has gotten into your mother?”
He parked across the street. Grinning from ear to ear, he got out of the truck. Dressed in black slacks, a crisp white shirt, and a skinny black tie, he made her mouth water. He reached into the car and pulled out two enormous bouquets and a couple of smaller packages.
Her feet jittery, she raced to him. “Hey.”
“Hey, beautiful. Are they expecting me?”
“Nope. They have no clue what’s coming.”
They kissed and she led him to the house. Putting a finger on her lips for his benefit, she opened the door and walked inside alone. “Andy. Layla. You wouldn’t believe what I found outside.”
Andy shook with excitement. “Is it a puppy?”
Elaine laughed. “No, it’s much better than a puppy.”
The kids’ eyes widened. She threw open the door.
Connor peeked around the doorframe. “Have I got the right house?”
“Uncle Connor!” They screamed in unison and catapulted themselves at him. He almost fell back on the porch steps from the tackle but righted himself, laughing.
“Let the poor man in,” her mother cried. “Connor. It’s so good to see you.”
“You too, Mrs. Banks.” He presented her with one of the big bouquets and turned to Elaine’s dad, hand outstretched. “Sir. Good to see you.”
Her father looked at Connor’s hand and smiled. “Any other man gets a hand shake. You, son, get a hug.” As the men hugged, her dad said, “Welcome to the family.”
Tears sprang to Elaine’s eyes, but they were the best tears she’d ever shed.
His eyes misty as well, Connor turned to the kids and gave them the gifts he’d brought, a new doll for Layla and a model fire truck for Andy. “See this truck, buddy? It’s in pieces. It needs to be put together. Can I help you put it together?”
Andy pouted. “But when will we do it? You live far away.”
Layla looked to Elaine, her face lit with hope. “Please, Mommy. Can we go home now?”
Elaine drew the kids in and crouched in front of them. “Connor and I were talking, and we both think it’s time for us to go back to Gemini Island. It’s time for us to be a family.”
They threw their little arms around her neck in gratitude. When they finally let her go, she stood and hugged Connor, whispering, “I love you.”
