If Jeff had given her any clue that he might want to pursue a serious relationship with her after he and Evan settled into their new lives, she’dhappily wait for him. But waiting for a man who didn’t want her was just another way of keeping her heart closed off from other prospects.
She had to find a way to let go and move on.
Hah. Easy to say.
She silently promised herself that if she found a man with potential—one who treated her well and liked her for qualities beyond her looks—she’d give him a chance. Even if her heart hadn’tfully healed from losing Jeff.
“Good,” Jenna said and then let out a long sigh.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing really. I just wish my family was still around to meet the kids.” Jenna had grown up in a loving, close-knit family of five, but had lost them all by her mid-twenties.
“Me too.” What else could Tara say? “Rob would have been an amazing uncle.” Tears pricked at her eyes. He was the onlymember of Jenna’s family Tara had met, and his death had brought Jenna and Mick together, so the loss was bittersweet. In fact, Tara should have considered how hard Jenna’s best moments must be without her brothers or parents around to share the joy.
Losing Emily had taught Tara exactly how deeply the loss of family cut.
A weight settled in her stomach. She would never see her sister growinto the woman she was meant to be, never hold her hand during pre-wedding jitters, never know the joy of cradling Emily’s children. And Emily wouldn’t be at her side to share in any of Tara’s happiest moments or sorrows either.
“Outside of Mick and the kids, you’re the closest thing to family that I have,” Jenna said. “Thank you for coming down.”
Tara’s heart warmed. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
“Even with all the, uh, excitement, Robbie sounds a lot better. I’m sure you’re the main reason why.”
Heat crawled up Tara’s neck and washed across her cheeks. “Thank you. I’m just glad I could be here for all of you.”
“Me too. Especially because it means you’re safe.”
“I love you too.”
Jenna laughed. “Sorry. I’m full of hormones.”
“No complaints here.”
“Okay,” Jenna said. The faintcry of a newborn baby came through the line. “Sorry, I think she’s getting hungry. Really quick: Donna is on her way in from Dayton. Mick’s going to pick her up from the airport in about thirty minutes and bring her to the house. Adele’s already in a car on the way to our place from the Raleigh airport, and should arrive in the next hour, but they’re both staying in a hotel.”
Tara had slepton the couch because the former guest room had been transformed into a nursery for Mia. Even if they had space, the hotel was probably a better option for Mick’s mom and sister. From what Jenna had told Tara, Mick and his mom had a complicated relationship. But the woman loved Robbie, and would no doubt adore Mia too.
Tara had met Donna and Adele at the wedding—back when Adele had still beenMick’s brother Adam—and again right after Robbie was born. She didn’t know either of them well, but both had seemed nice enough. “Sounds good.”
“Adele’s in full transition. The transformation since she started taking hormones has been amazing. Wait till you see.”
“Awesome. Looking forward to it.” Tara could only admire someone who had such a strong sense of who they were, and the guts to bravethe assholes and ignoramuses who would cause them grief. How many people could claim to be so fully aligned with their true selves? “How did Adele’s boyfriend take it?”
“They’re still friends, but no longer a couple. Corey supports her, but he’s gay, and now that Adele’s a woman…”
“That sucks, but she’ll be happier in the long run being herself.”
“Exactly. Watching Adele has made me awarethat I need to create the type of relationship with my own children where they’ll know they’re safe to tell us anything without risking our love.”
“Adele and your kids are lucky to have such a supportive family.” Tara’s parents would be appalled if she were gay or transgender—hell, they were upset enough that she wasn’t a lawyer or doctor—but at least they’d never hit her like Mick’s dad. Theyhonestly wanted what was best for her. She merely disagreed with their narrow idea of what was best, or how to go about getting it.
In the background, Mia’s cries started up again.
“Enjoy that baby girl,” Tara said. “I’ll keep things running on this end.”
“Will do. Thank you so much,” Jenna said. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
