“The park is the last thing I’m thinking about right now.” He pulled her closer, his arms wrapping tighter around her. It still didn’t feel close enough, but he had a feeling nothing would.
He wasn’t sure how long they sat like that. At some point his phone rang. He wrestled it out of his pocket to see that it was Bonnie. He needed to talk to his sister. Since she’d told him she lost her job, they kept missing each other’s calls, and Noah had gotten preoccupied with everything going on.
He’d call her back tomorrow. He needed to make sure she was okay.
He shoved his cell back into his pocket and closed his eyes, so fucking grateful that Addie was safe. That she’d survived. That she washis.
CHAPTER 32
Asmile tugged at Addie’s mouth as she watched her father across Pam’s backyard, talking to Noah. As expected, both her parents had shown up the next day, a couple hours after she’d called them. They hadn’t stayed in town that time, but they’d been making the one-hour drive down to Amber Ridge as often as possible since.
She loved it. Having her parents here was like bringing everyone she loved together.
She nervously checked her watch.
“Not here yet?”
Her gaze flew up at her mother’s voice. “Not yet, but she’s only ten minutes late.”
“I’m nervous too.”
Not a surprise that her mother could tell she was nervous. She knew her better than anyone. “We’ve both already met her. We shouldn’t be nervous.”
Her mother shook her head. “No. This is different. She’s not my daughter’s coworker anymore—she’s the woman who gave me the gift of my child. I have a lot to thank her for.”
Addie’s skin tingled. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to the fact that Jules was her birth mother. “I’m sure she wants to thank you too, for giving me the best upbringing.”
“I hope we did.”
Addie hugged her mother tightly, so unbelievably grateful that she’d been gifted such amazing parents.
“Hey, why aren’t I included in this family hug? What am I, chopped liver?”
Addie laughed at her father, pulling back to see him now beside them.
Her mother jokingly swatted her father on the arm. “Mark, you get far more hugs from our daughter than I do.”
“Doesn’t mean I can’t have more.”
Addie hugged her dad. “I love you too, Dad.”
He grunted but also wrapped a firm arm around her waist.
God, she loved both of them so much.
When she stepped back, her mother touched her shoulder. “Are you sure you’re okay? You’ve been through so much since moving here.”
“I have.” She scanned the yard for Noah, finding him with his aunt and sister. “But I’ve also gained so much too.” Noah. His family. Jules. A great job. An entire life.
Her father glanced over his shoulder before looking back at her. “He makes you happy.”
“No. It goes far beyond happy.” It was a combination of peace and joy and this new vision for her future.
Her father nodded. “He’s a good man. I approve.”
She chuckled, knowing that would have taken a lot for her father to say. “Really? I thought no one would ever be good enough for me.”
“They won’t be. But he’s probably as close as you’ll get.”
