River’s head snapped in his direction as if she had just realized more people were witnessing the unbelievable meet and greet happening.
“Pretty slim I would say,” she replied, her tone much like I imagined it would be when she was in therapy mode.
Her gaze wasn’t mean, but that wall she built in record time just moments ago, left her eyes a bit lifeless and well, I guessunfeeling. Then something changed when her stare shifted to the right and took in Stormi.
The purple hues in her eyes twinkled, her face softened, and a genuine smile lifted her mouth. When Stormi smiled back, the woman’s grin brightened even more, reminding me of the blinding effect my daughter’s smile had on those she graced someone with.
Capri made introductions, but as she got to Stormi, my daughter broke in to announce herself.
“I’m Stormi,” my girl said in a chipper tone.
“My daughter,” I added, pride strong and evident in my voice.
River turned to me, her eyes going round at the announcement.
With my heart thumping faster than a bunny's foot when it was feeling afraid, which wasn’t too far off from the feelings I was experiencing lately, I waited to see what conclusion she came to.
“She could be… she might be…”
River didn’t have to finish for me to know her thoughts.
Not only could I be related to her but Stormi might be too. Did my daughter have an aunt? Did I have a sister? Was she related in some other way?
I didn’t have the answers but I sure the hell knew I needed them.
Bronson to the rescue.
After our unwavering stares and silence barreled on too long, Bronson jumped in and took charge. Standing, he offered Riverthe extra chair, ever the gentleman. She hesitated but after a beat, she sat down.
“Let me grab you something to eat and some coffee, I know just what you like,” Capri said as she scurried off toward the pristine bakery case full of wonderful treats.
I had a feeling Capri knew exactly what she was doing. It had been her idea to get Bronson to bring Stormi and me into the shop since we hadn’t been there before. And being that she didn’t seem all too surprised to see River, if I had to take a wild guess, I’d say she knew she would be in the shop at the same time.
Taking a peek in her direction as she grabbed something for River, I could see a satisfied smile playing on her lips. When her eyes met mine, she gave me an encouraging nod in the direction of the woman I didn’t know how to handle at all.
Growing up the way I had, losing my best friend, and having a baby who I raised all alone, I knew I had to take care of things.
So why didn’t I have the faintest idea what to do when it came to the woman beside me? I was so far out of my element when it came to connections that truly mattered and something told me River mattered a lot.
“What’s your favorite thing to eat from here?” Stormi asked River. “Mine is Capri’s cinnamon rolls.”
Just as the announcement came and before River had time to answer, the baker herself sat down a hot cup of java in front of the newcomer and a plate that held a gooey cinnamon roll.
“Guess that answers your question,” River said to Stormi.
My daughter giggled and the tension in the room lightened slightly.
With that therapeutic tone again, River asked, “So where do we go from here?”
A bit oblivious to what was happening, my angel shouted, “Let’s go to the zoo!”
Bronson let out a deep chuckle. “We will do that soon, but I don’t think that was quite what she meant.”
Stormi’s little nose scrunched up. “Why not? The zoo is a good place for families to go together.”
All the adult’s jaws dropped.
Okay, so not so oblivious at all.
