John paused in the doorway. “This is what the center is all about,” he murmured. “Friends who become family.”
Across the room a toddler pulled himself off the floor and, on wobbly legs, stumbled into the arms of a young woman. The elderly man beside them beamed with pleasure.
Zac wondered where each of the people would be if it weren’t for John and The Welcome Center. “You’re making a difference.”
“I try.” John smiled. “You’ve come at the right time. Willow has just finished her photography workshop. It’s one of our most popular programs.”
Zac wasn’t surprised. Her photographs were amazing. They captured the emotions behind each scene, taking the viewer into the image to become part of the story.
Willow looked at him and smiled. “Hi. I didn’t think you’d be in town tonight.”
Zac cleared his throat. “I needed to see John.” That wasn’t strictly true. He did need to see him, but it could have waited until tomorrow. Was it crazy to admit that even though it was only twenty-four hours since he’d last seen Willow, he missed her? “How was your workshop?”
“It was good. The students enjoyed themselves and everyone took home some lovely photos. Have you seen Rebecca since she was born?”
“No, I haven’t.” He looked at the tiny baby. With a cute cupid’s bow above her mouth and lots of dark brown hair, Rebecca was a lot bigger than when he last saw her. “She’s beautiful.”
Megan leaned toward Zac and smiled. “I might be biased but I agree.”
Willow stroked the back of Rebecca’s hand. “Her skin is so soft.”
Rebecca’s little fingers moved closer to her mouth.
Zac knelt on the floor and rubbed his finger along Rebecca’s arm. “I hope William’s prepared for what’s ahead of him.”
Megan sighed. “Don’t mention the future. He’s already stressing about being a dad.”
“Why is William worried?” Willow asked softly. “He’s wonderful with Nora.”
“Nora was five years old when William met her. She had her own personality and could talk and walk. Rebecca is so small that it scares him.”
“It will get easier.”
“I hope so.” Megan pulled herself out of the sofa. “Sit here, Zac. I need to get a glass of water.”
“Would you like me to get you one?”
“I’ll be fine. William has been waiting on me hand and foot. It’s nice to be able to do something for myself.”
He helped Megan to her feet. “I’ll move as soon as you come back.”
“Don’t worry. It’s good to stretch my legs.”
Willow smiled when he sat beside her. “Would you like to hold Rebecca?”
Zac looked down at the sleeping baby and sighed. He was feeling just as vulnerable as William, but for completely different reasons. “I can wait. Rebecca’s happy in your arms.”
A mischievous smile lit Willow’s face. “Can I tell you a secret?”
His breath caught and he nodded. He’d never felt this off-center around anyone.
“I used to dream about having a large family.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Willow tilted her head to the side, considering his question. “I never found the right person to love.”
Her simple words touched something deep inside Zac, something he’d locked away from the world. He wanted to be the person Willow could love, the man who would make her life complete.
