“She did. I referred her to the Tribal Children Services so they can work together to find the right family for Gracie,” he said, then looked down at the baby. “Yes I did.”
He tickled Gracie’s neck, and the baby laughed when he did it. The sound was so sweet and happy that Ava couldn’t help but smile.
She appreciated that he must be using proper channels to ensure Gracie ended up with a relative. Ava was a big believer in finding the best families for her foster kids…well, that one other time. “Do you have cousins or siblings?”
“None that I know of, as I mentioned the other day. Why?” he asked. It was odd for her to think of him having such a small family when she was related to half of Dark Canyon.
“Just wondering who Gracie will end up,” Ava said. “I really love this little girl and want the best placement for her.”
“I think everyone does,” Chay said, taking a sip of his coffee while still holding Gracie.
“Was your grandmother excited to have a new grandchild?” she asked him. Her mom was itching for grandchildren but didn’t really pressure her or Ryan.
“No. Gracie isn’t ours,” Chay said softly.
“But she could be, right?”
He stood up and handed the baby to her as he paced away from her to the kitchen sink looking out the window on her backyard.
“No. She’s not going to be living with me. I’m a workaholic who lives in a very remote cabin. I’m not going to be her permanent family. I’ll check in on her and make sure she’s okay, but she needs a real family.”
Ava rocked the little girl, who caught a strand of her hair and tugged on it. “Families come in all shapes and sizes.”
“I appreciate that.”
He put his hands on his hips, his head falling forward.
“Sorry if I’m pushing, but I just want her to be with the right people,” Ava said.
“She has no family that we know of—yet. I’m not the right person to raise her,” Chay said.
“Why do you believe that?”
“I just do. Thanks for the coffee and the information. I’m heading out now,” Chay said.
She followed him into the entryway, where she had a bench that he sat on to put his boots on. Holding Gracie on her hip, she just watched him. A part of her wanted to push further, but she knew he wasn’t going to give her any more information. He was defensive and running away.
Which surprised her. He had seemed more tenacious than that. She guessed she’d hit a nerve and would have to tread more carefully. But she knew she wasn’t going to drop this. Seeing Chay and Gracie together convinced her they’d make a good family.
“I’m sorry if pushed too hard, but I have to follow my heart. Family is one of my greatest strengths.”
Chay stood up with his boots on, walking toward her so that he towered over her. “Family…I don’t have what you do. It’s just my grandmother and me.”
“And Gracie.”
His eyes closed, and he shook his head. His frustration with her was plain to read and she knew she should stop. But at the same time, there was a bond between Gracie and Chay that she wanted to nurture.
“It could be. You’re really good with her.”
“That’s because she’s not mine,” he said. “My grandmother is the caretaker in our relationship.”
There was more to that than she could unpack in this moment. Chay was leaving angry, which she didn’t want. “Will you come by again?”
“Maybe.”
“Don’t be a brat,” she said.
“Don’t try to boss me,” he returned.
