She didn’t know if she was strong enough for this.
But she knew one thing with terrifying clarity.
If she said no, the baby would be vulnerable and alone.
And Naomi wasn’t sure she could live with that idea.
Micah waited. He knew at least part of the conversation.
It was about the very subject he’d come here to talk to Naomi and Caleb about.
But there was something more also.
Naomi stood a few steps away from him near the garage, phone still in her hand and her posture locked tight—as if letting go would unravel something she was barely holding together.
He’d seen that look before.
He’dlivedthat look before.
The yellow lab paced at her feet, tail wagging uncertainly. Then the canine pressed his head against Naomi’s leg as if he knew his person needed anchoring.
“What’s happening?” Caleb muttered as he reappeared and placed a bowl of water near the lab. His dog, Hamilton, a husky mix, joined him.
The lab lapped the water until almost the entire bowl was empty.
Hamilton stared at the lab but didn’t move any closer.
Caleb stepped back, and his gaze caught the dented bumper of her SUV. “How did that happen?”
Micah thought about letting Naomi be the one to share the news. But she was going to have other priorities once she got off the phone. At least, that was his best educated guess.
“Travis Henderson hit her while she was driving—on purpose. He left when I got there.”
Caleb’s jaw hardened. “That man is nothing but trouble.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. But I was headed here anyway to talk to you, so I followed her home—just to be safe.”
Naomi lowered the phone and drew a shaky breath.
Then she turned toward Micah and Caleb. “That was Sissy.”
Caleb frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“The feds came. They’re arresting her and taking her baby.”
Caleb gaped. “They’rewhat?”
“They say she has federal charges pending against her.” Naomi’s words came faster now. “She was frantic and didn’t explain what those charges were.”
Caleb ran a hand over his face. “Why did she callyou?”
“She wants me to take care of her baby while she sorts this out.”
Silence stretched around them.
Micah hadn’t seen that one coming.
He waited for her to continue, waited to hear her thoughts—her laugh of refusal.
