He swallowed and turned off the engine.
Naomi reached for the door then hesitated. “Thank you. For tonight. For . . . everything.”
Micah met her gaze. “I admire your decision. But it’s not going to be easy.”
She gave a small, tired smile. “Nothing worth doing ever is.”
“True.”
She paused another moment. “Want to come in for a moment? I mean, I know you probably want to get home. It’s been a long day. But I can fix you some coffee or tea.”
He didn’t have to consider her request for long. “If you don’t mind, I’d like that.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Micah stepped out into the cold night air, already knowing one thing with absolute certainty: Whatever was coming next, he wouldn’t let history repeat itself.
Naomi stepped inside the house, relishing the warmth that hit her.
The yellow lab hit her next—literally.
The dog ran through the house and pounced, both of his front paws hitting her shoulders.
“Whoa, down boy!” She couldn’t help but laugh as she placed his paws back on the floor.
“Sorry!” Caleb came running after the canine. “He has a mind of his own.”
“I can’t believe you let him inside the house.” She’d expected her brother to leave the dog in the kennel.
“Something told me you might want to visit with him more,” he murmured. “And I knew he’d definitely want to see you. I fed him, gave him a bath, and then introduced him to everyone. He’s already one of the boys. Even Biscuit likes him.”
Biscuit was Millie’s dog, a quiet cocker spaniel.
“I’m glad to hear that,” Naomi murmured. “Thank you. I’ll put out feelers for his owner soon. Tomorrow maybe.”
Except she had a lot going on tomorrow.
Having this dog here wouldn’t help things. But another part of her was glad the animal was here. Something about the dog brought her a surprising joy.
Speaking of which . . . she really needed to give the dog a nickname at least. She couldn’t keep calling him “the dog.” Or maybe she could . . . at least for now. Maybe a vague name would stop her from getting too attached.
Caleb shook hands with Micah, who’d come in behind her.
At once, the atmosphere turned more serious.
She knew everyone was waiting to hear an update.
They stepped toward the kitchen.
Max stood near the table. Millie was perched on the edge of a chair, concern etched across her face, and Biscuit lay in her lap. At the far end of the room, her mother rose slowly.
“Mom?” Naomi said, surprised to see her here this late.
Ruby King crossed the room and pulled her into a firm hug. “I heard you’d gone to the hospital. I couldn’t sit at home and wait.”
Naomi swallowed past the lump in her throat. Beyond them, the house was quiet. Madelyn, the woman staying with them, must have already turned in for the night.
She was glad. Naomi didn’t want her to hear this. The women they housed came for peace not drama.
