Micah watched her a moment. She was already attached, he realized. He could see it in the way her fingers lingered in the dog’s fur, the way her shoulders dropped just slightly when she said the words.
“When are they coming for him?” he asked.
“Two days.”
Two days. Not much time.
The dog leaned harder against her leg, oblivious to the fact that his time here had an expiration date. He feared she’d done exactly what she told herself not to do—she’d gotten attached.
Naomi picked up the car seat carrier again and moved into the living room, setting it carefully on the couch. Grace was still asleep, her tiny face peaceful, one hand curled near her cheek.
Footsteps sounded from the kitchen, and Millie appeared, a dish towel slung over her shoulder. “Hey. How’d the appointment go?”
“Good,” Naomi said. “Grace is perfect.”
“Of course, she is.” Millie smiled, then glanced at Micah. “You staying for lunch?”
“Apparently.”
Ruby’s voice carried from the kitchen. “Hadley’s coming by in a bit too. Should be here any minute.”
Naomi looked at Micah. “Have you met Hadley yet?”
“No. Don’t think I have.”
“She’s my cousin. A veterinarian. She just moved to Blue Ridge Hollow to open her own practice.” Her voice brightened. “You’ll like her. She’s great.”
Micah nodded. Caleb had mentioned her before, but Micah hadn’t crossed paths with her yet.
As Ruby pulled out everything for lunch, Micah leaned against the doorframe, watching the rhythm of it. The normalcy. The way the house seemed to settle into itself when people were here, safe, together.
It was a good house. A good family.
And Naomi was right in the center of it, holding it all together in ways she probably didn’t even realize.
Then her phone rang.
Naomi pulled it from her pocket and looked at the screen. Her face went still.
Ruby stopped what she was doing. Millie turned from the sink.
“It’s a call from jail.” She looked up, meeting Micah’s eyes. “It must be Sissy.”
