Chapter Forty
Evangeline
“You ready?” I say, reaching over to hold Carter’s hand before we get out of the car.
Our eyes meet, and both of us smile, taking a deep breath as we open our doors and begin our journey to the front door of a beautiful winery that we’ve been sitting in front of for the past few minutes.
His hand reaches for mine the second we’re close together. I can tell he’s nervous and just seeing him like this makes my heart soar even more for this man.
We contacted Benjamin’s adoptive parents, and they were excited to have us come meet them, especially Carter. I heard a slight gasp when they heard his name, but I’m thankful they never asked questions, only focusing on all the joy we were able to bring into their lives and how amazing he is doing.
The day was set for us to come out to the winery, but they said they wanted it to be a surprise for Benjamin. He knows he was adopted, and they said he’s talked about hopefully one day meeting his parents, especially his dad, so he’d have a clue about how big he’ll be one day.
He’s started playing baseball, and we’re told he’s pretty good. I know Carter played when he was Little League age, so apparently the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
We hear the sound of a wooden bat slamming against a ball reverberate against the hills around us, and Carter’s face beams with his proud smile. “That must be him.”
“Benjamin, I’ve told you, you can’t hit the balls into the vineyard like that,” we hear a woman call out.
“But, Mom, it’s perfect. I have all the room in the world out here.”
“Yeah, but how are you going to go find that ball you just hit?”
“It was an old one. I don’t need it back.”
She laughs. “Not the point, son.”
We both chuckle to ourselves as Carter knocks on the door.
Not long after, the door swings open, and the woman I remember from ten years ago smiles brightly back at me. “Angie,” she says, holding out her arms wide to me.
“Susan, it’s great to see you again.”
“You have no idea how great it is to see you, my dear. So this must be Carter.”
He reaches his hand out to greet her. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you.”
“My, my, Benjamin looks just like you. My God,” she says, placing her hand over her chest and stepping back to admire Carter for a second. “Here, come in. Roger,” she calls out. “They’re here.”
A man steps from the kitchen with a welcoming expression on his face. “Angie, how are you?”
His arms reach around me in a hug like we’ve known each other for years. I clear my throat, letting them know. “I’ve actually decided to change my name back to my birth name, Evangeline.”
I smile, looking over at Carter, and he grips my hand, giving me support.
“What a beautiful name, sweetheart, good to know. Now let me introduce you to someone just as beautiful as the two of you.”
They open the back doors of their home, revealing a picturesque view that millions would die for. For acres and acres, all you see are rolling hills of vineyards with more of the same lining the backdrop. But right in the middle, up front stands a young boy throwing a ball high in the air and catching it with his glove.
“Benjamin, there’s someone I’d like you to meet,” Susan announces.
He turns to us, and instantly my eyes fill with tears. She was right. He’s the spitting image of Carter. I turn to look at Carter, and the smile on his face says it all.
“Throw me one,” Carter yells out, letting go of my hand and stepping in front of everyone.
Benjamin turns toward us and without missing a beat, throws the ball right to Carter, who catches it and throws it right back.
“Nice one. What position do you play?” Carter asks.
