“Not to a new parent. It’s not like you came with an instruction book. New parents are afraid of doing something wrong. Plus, you couldn’t talk, so when you cried they didn’t know what you needed. Were you hungry? Had you just pooped and needed a diaper change?”
ThePword made him laugh. “Ryleigh, you’re so funny.”
“Thank you.”
His humor faded. “Do you think she watches over me?”
“She does and she’s so proud of you. Look at how big and strong you are. You’re going to be as tall as your dad one day. And I know she’s smiling right now, seeing how good you are with Lucy.”
“I miss her.”
“I know. I miss her, too. She was a good friend. Sometimes I still think about something I want to tell her, only she’s gone and it makes me sad. That’s something else you can remember. How your mom touched everyone’s heart.”
He nodded, then leaned back on the sofa. “Dad said you were going to bring Lucy over when you came to visit. Now that I’ve met her, I’d like that a lot. We’re going to the pet store this weekend. We’re going to buy her a litter box because she’ll need a cat bathroom. Also dishes and toys. We want her to feel comfortable at our place so when you stay with me, she can come, too.”
“I’m sure she’ll enjoy that.”
She was happy that Noah was enthused about Lucy, but just as significant, she appreciated how Alex was all in when it came to her and her cat. His attitude was very Alex-like. He was a great guy and a good friend.
She would miss both him and Noah desperately if she decided to move. In fact in some ways, she would miss the two of them as much as she would miss Jax and her family. In her heart of hearts, she wasn’t sure she wanted to go. She really did like living here and she had a good life. Only what about love and a family of her own? Didn’t she deserve that? Or maybe the problem wasn’t about deserving. Maybe it was about finding—which she hadn’t.
It didn’t seem fair that she had to make such a tough choice—keep the people she loved close and give up the family she’d always wanted or only have the love long-distance with no guarantee there was a right someone for her.
Not a decision she had to make today, she told herself. But she would have to figure it out soon. She was done living in limbo and was determined to take the next step—whatever that might be.
Chapter Thirteen
Jax arrived at the store at her usual time and was surprised to see several people waiting outside the front door. Her stomach sank as she guessed they were here to talk to her about the diary issue. Or rather the fact that their trust in her and the store had been shattered. She parked and hurried around to the front.
“We don’t open for another hour and a half,” she told them.
A woman she recognized but didn’t know by name stepped forward. “I saw the email blast you sent out yesterday. I understand the problem, but I don’t want to wait to be called in the lottery. I know exactly where my diary is. I want to go first, pull out one brick and take it.”
A couple of other people nodded.
“Me, too,” another woman said. “I don’t need to guess.”
A teenage boy added, “I have to get it before someone else reads it.” He looked pale and worried. “I really have to.”
“There aren’t any markings,” she told the small crowd. “There aren’t any points of reference.”
“I counted from the top and side,” he said frantically. “I know where it is.”
“Okay.” Jax drew in a breath. “If you know where your diaryis, you can go before the lottery. But not until we open. Everyone will get the same chance at the same time.”
There was mild grumbling but eventually everyone left. Jax unlocked the front door, went in and locked it behind her. She had a bad feeling today was going to be a tough day.
“There was a crowd,” Marcus said, walking toward her. “They must be eager to get their diaries.”
“You have no idea.” She motioned to the departing group. “They claim to know exactly where their diaries are, even without the symbols on the bricks. I’m going to give them one chance to claim their diaries.”
He started to speak but she held up her hand. “No. You’re not going to apologize again. It was a mistake, one you didn’t make, and we’re dealing.”
“This is more work for you.”
She shrugged. “It happens.”
She went upstairs to let out Ramon, then started her day, all the while watching the clock. Exactly at ten she went to unlock the front door, but came to a stop, her keys nearly slipping from her fingers. Close to a hundred people had gathered in front of the store, she thought in amazement. Cheryl joined her, then glanced outside.
