She took in a long, slow inhale, quiet enough he wouldn’t hear. She had to answer him. And she had to keep their past out of this.
When she spoke, she managed to make her voice solid. “I can’t believe you’d even suggest that. You’ll have all winter to get to know her. She’s open and trusting. She’ll love you fully asher father in weeks, I’ve no doubt. But this is her home. I’ve raised her well so far—as you said yourself—and I’ll continue to do so. You can come visit any time. Maybe when she’s older, we can go east for a month. She can meet your parents and my grandparents.”
A flash of sorrow touched his eyes when she mentioned her grandparents. Was he remembering how her own parents had cut her out of their lives. Nearly the same way he had.
Still, the reminder only strengthened her resolve. “Mary Ellen’s home is here.”
A giggle sounded from the trees, stealing Naomi’s gaze for a heartbeat.
Lillian was tickling her, and the laughter that bubbled would make anyone smile, no matter how intense the moment.
It served to ease her anger a little. Though she disagreed with Eric, he would desire the best for their daughter.
She moved her focus back to Eric, softening her tone. “She’s happy here, Eric. This is a good place for her. A wonderful place to grow up. Surely you want the best for her.”
His eyes flashed, his shoulders squaring. He seemed to be choosing his answer carefully, and when he finally spoke, his voice sounded like a restrained mountain lion. “A good place for her? With?—"
A scream split the air.
Naomi sprang to her feet and sprinted toward the girls. She could see Lillian’s pale blue dress through the trees, but where was Mary Ellen?
Eric ran at her side, but when they reached the trees, he pushed ahead. These blasted skirts wouldn’t let her move fast enough.
Don’t let her be hurt.
When she reached Lillian, Eric had already scooped Mary Ellen up in his arms. Naomi gripped the older girl’s shoulders as she struggled for breath. “What’s wrong?What happened?”
Lillian trembled, but she lifted a hand to point ahead.
Naomi jerked her focus that direction.
Her heart climbed into her throat.
A black bear was fleeing on all fours through the woods, about twenty strides away..
She let out a shaky breath, pulling Lillian against her. “Thank the Lord.”
Lillian clutched her as they both struggled to regain their composure. Naomi glanced at Eric, who was gripping their daughter tight, his expression a fierce mask as he glared in the direction the bear had gone.
“It won’t hurt us.” She still sounded winded. “It’s just a black bear. They usually keep their distance.”
“Usually?” The word was more demand than question.
“It’s running, isn’t it?”
He speared a look at her. “Will it come back?”
She shook her head, drawing in another full breath. “No. We’re safe. All of us.” She settled her focus on her daughter, who laid her head on Eric’s shoulder, her thumb tucked in her mouth. She likely hadn’t been afraid of the bear as much as the reactions of those she trusted.
Naomi moved to Eric’s side and smoothed Mary Ellen’s hair from her face. She made her voice bright. “It’s all right, sweet one. Do you want to come drink more of your chocolate?”
The girl straightened, lifting her head from Eric’s shoulder. “Cha.”
Naomi lifted her daughter’s hand to plant a kiss on her pudgy fingers. “Yummy chocolate.”
She stepped back and glanced at Eric. She’d been close to him, but with the barrier of their daughter between them, she hadn’t really felt the spark of his nearness. Mostly.
His jaw remained clenched and his gaze distant. Was he angry about the bear? Or about their conversation? She couldn’t even remember the last thing they’d said.
