She turned to her family. “We need to talk.”
Caleb nodded. “Absolutely.”
“But first—coffee.”
She started to make a pot of coffee when her mom stepped in and insisted on finishing. Naomi didn’t argue.
As her mom got everyone drinks, they gathered around the table.
Naomi remained standing. She couldn’t sit. She had too much pent-up energy.
With a warm drink in hand, she told them everything.
About the federal charges against Sissy. About the baby—so small and unaware. She explained the emergency placement, the paperwork, the waiting.
Then she told them her decision. “I’m going to take her. At least for now.”
She paused, unsure how they would take the news.
She would understand their hesitation. Understand if they didn’t want this.
She waited as the room fell silent.
Caleb exhaled slowly and rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Are you sure? This is a big decision, Naomi. This affects all of us.”
“I know. I wouldn’t do it if I thought it put anyone in immediate danger.”
Millie leaned forward. “I can help. Whatever you need. Nights. Supplies. I’m here.”
A flicker of gratitude rushed through her, the feeling so sharp it almost hurt. She and Millie had quickly become friends, and Naomi was so glad to have her here.
Her mom spoke next. “Sarah would want you to do this.”
Naomi looked at her mother, tears springing to her eyes.
Her mom’s gaze was steady as she continued. “This is the ultimate act of grace. And grace is what this place was built on. We’ll keep that baby safe until we know what happens next.”
Grace . . . God kept showing her that word again and again. This was confirmation.
She’d never even talked to her mom about how God had impressed that word on her heart. But it kept showing up, and Naomi knew God was speaking to her.
Naomi’s chest tightened as she remembered there were other things she needed to talk about—things she’d rather avoid but couldn’t. “What about Richard?”
The name settled like a stone in the room.
“We’ve shown him what we’re made of before.” Her mom raised her chin. “And we can show him again.”
Micah shifted then, drawing their attention. “I won’t pretend this won’t complicate things. But I can help. Extra patrols. Additional precautions. Whatever’s needed.”
Caleb nodded. “We’ll take all the help we can get.”
Naomi let out a breath. For the first time since leaving the hospital, the knot in her chest loosened.
She wasn’t alone in this. The choice still felt heavy, but it no longer felt impossible.
Micah met her gaze. The idea of having him around brought her entirely more comfort than it should.
She couldn’t afford to get close to him, she reminded herself.
She and Gio had been broken up for a while now. And she couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason, but something about her time in New York made her wary of getting close to anyone.
Until she could resolve things in her past, it was best if she kept her distance from anyone other than her family.
She glanced at her feet, where the lab lay.
Her family . . . and this dog.
