She’s just watching Emma under the blanket. I think back to the last few days, weeks. Shehasbeen a little tense. I mean, before we left she was worried about a sunburn. Maybe Addison is onto something.
* * *
The drive back to the house is quiet. I want to bring up the apartment thing, but I’m already pulling up in front of the lodge. Might as well just wait until we get inside.
I set the car seat up on the counter for her. I watch as Karissa carefully unbuckles Emma, who scrunches up and stretches as she’s brought to her mother’s chest.
“I…uh, I didn’t know you had been that stressed out looking for a place,” I say.
“Well, yeah. I can’t be here in September, so…”
“I know. I guess I just kinda thought you’d move back in with me or something.” I laugh but she shakes her head, not smiling, serious.
“I was praying about it,” she admits, and the dynamic of the entire conversation shifts. Her voice is soft, a little shaky. “I kept that to myself.” She blinks fast, tears sticking to her lashes. “And He heard me.”
My throat tightens and something in my chest swells. “Well, that’s really cool, isn’t it?”
She nods, wiping the corner of her eyes.
The idea of her living somewhere else—forty-five minutes away from me—doesn’t sit right. Not because I don’t think she can do it. She definitely can. But I guess I just got used to having her inmyworld.
Not seeing Emma nearly every day, like I have since she was born, makes me kinda sad. Same with Karissa. But I won’t tellher that. Because this isn’t about me, this is about them, and she’s too excited for me to bring it up.
“I’m happy for you. You’re gonna do great, Riss,” I say, shoving my hand in my pocket to stop myself from touching her back.
She just nods, sniffles once, and keeps her attention on Emma. Like maybe looking at me, thinking about what I’m thinking, is hurting her a little too.
Chapter 24
Cody
The sound of the nail gun echoes through Addison’s cabin. We’re doing the flooring and trim now. We’ll have the place move-in ready before September.
It’s hotter than fire in here. Jesse, Mason, and I were soaked through our shirts by 9 a.m.
I grab my thermos I left at the other end of the room and take a couple gulps. Jesse’s crouched down, loading the nail gun. His hat is flipped backwards and he’s wearing a smile that says he’s about to ask something he knows he shouldn’t.
“How’s Karissa?” He smirks.
“Good. Worrying a whole lot, but overall…good.”
“Worrying about what?” Mason asks, clicking the flooring together but listening.
“Like…” I run a hand down my jaw. “The other day she asked how deep the lakes are around here. Then she walked me through what she’s thinking she’d do if her car went under. Everything from unbuckling herself, getting Emma, breaking the windows. She was looking at emergency stuff online that she wants just in case.”
Mason lets out a low whistle. “Damn.”
Jesse straightens. “That’s not normal.”
“Yeah,” I say. “It’s out there.”
“She probably needs to get out of the house,” Jesse says. “Ella was like that after Cora was born. All nerves and worst-case scenarios. A couple date nights helped.”
“Date?” I scoff. “Yeah right.”
“Oh, grow up,” Jesse mutters.
“I’m just sayin’.” I shrug. “I don’t wanna give her the wrong idea.”
