Micah pulled into a spot near the entrance and cut the engine.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Grace made a small sound from her car seat. Naomi’s hand moved to adjust the blanket around her legs.
Micah turned in his seat to look at her.
Her face was pale. Her jaw was set. But her hands were shaking.
“You sure you’re ready for this?” he asked.
Naomi stared at the building in front of them. Then she drew in a wobbly breath and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”
Micah held her gaze for a beat longer, then nodded. “All right. Stay close to me. I’ll handle the desk.”
He climbed out of the SUV and moved to the back door, opening it for her. Naomi unbuckled Grace from the car seat and lifted her into her arms, tucking the blanket tighter around the baby’s small body. Bringing the carrier would only complicate things, so she’d decided to simply carry her inside.
The wind was cold, sharper here in the open lot, and Naomi turned slightly to shield Grace from it.
Micah grabbed the diaper bag from the seat and slung it over his shoulder.
They walked toward the entrance together, Micah half a step ahead, his body angled slightly in front of hers.
The automatic doors slid open with a hiss, and the smell hit them immediately—industrial cleaner, stale air, something metallic underneath it all.
Naomi’s steps faltered for just a second.
Micah glanced back at her. “You’re okay. I’m right here.”
She nodded again, tightened her hold on Grace, and stepped inside.
