Page 101 of The Scars We Heal

“Uh-huh.” She nodded, a devilish smirk creeping across her lips. “I’m going to eat all the candy tonight.”

“Sure you are.” I shook my head before looking around at everyone. “Are we ready to be done? I don’t think there are many houses left for us to go to. You guys can all head out to the bar if you want.”

Hayden, Sierra, Reid, and Isa all looked at each other.

“If we head to Rudy’s, we’ll be able to make it in time to enter the costume contest,” Sierra said, and the rest of them nodded in agreement.

“We should probably head back. He’s already sound asleep.” Colter looked down at Levi.

“How about you?” I looked at Jake.

He reached out to take Whitley’s hand. “I’m with you.”

“All right. Looks like it’s settled, then. Thanks for coming trick or treating with us,” I thanked our group of friends. “It meant a lot to me and to Whit.”

“Of course!” Ellison replied. “We’re a family. We stick together.”

We all exchanged hugs and said our goodbyes, but Ellison’s statement stuck with me. In the last three months, nothing had been truer, and a wave of gratitude washed over me for the family I’d come back to in Silver Creek. The family Whitley would get to grow up with. The one that would never make her question if she was loved.

CHAPTER FORTY

jake

Weather in Montana could be unpredictable, especially in the fall, but November always seemed to bring a chill to the wind. With the winter months approaching, we were spending a lot more time inside.

I knew Caitlin didn’t want to confuse Whitley, or get her hopes up about us, but a small part of me thought she knew her mom and I had something special. Just the other day, she attempted to wink at me when we were all watching Bluey on the couch. The girl had a lot of personality, and I liked to think a little piece of my humor had rubbed off on her.

We’d dropped Whitley and Cheeto off at Maggie’s house for a sleepover after a long day of baking cookies. The kitten we found a couple months ago was already getting so big, having grown from being able to fit in my hand to having to cradle him in my arms. The cat and I got along just fine, but he loved Whitley and followed her around like a puppy. She insisted on letting him come with her to Grandma’s house, and even though Caitlin was hesitant, Maggie let her bring him over. That little girl had everyone wrapped around her finger.

“My brother texted me,” I said as Caitlin and I washed dishes side by side.

“Nolan?” she replied, urging me to continue.

“Yeah, he wants to meet me in person. His dad”—I cleared my throat—“our dad and he are driving through town in a couple days.”

Her brows raised, and her lips parted slightly. “Is that something you want to do?”

“I’m not sure,” I admitted. I was still coming to terms with the fact I had a half-brother and the man back in my small hometown wasn’t my biological father. “Part of me wants to know for closure, I guess. But on the other hand, I’m scared it’ll be painful.”

Cait reached for my hand, and her fingers snaked between mine. “I’ll support you in whatever you decide to do.”

“What about you?” I asked. When her expression morphed into confusion, I added, “How have you been feeling since”—I cleared my throat, not wanting to say his name but forcing it out anyway—“Adam showed up?”

She worried at her bottom lip, then her eyes bounced up to mine. “You know, it’s odd. I’ll forget about it one minute because I’m having such a good day with you or with Whitley, and then something in my brain will fire off and remind me if I mess up, it could cost me everything. If I make one mistake or one person tells me I’m not fit to be her mom or I’m not good enough, then I could lose her.”

My brows pulled together. “I’m sorry I brought it up, I didn’t want to cause you to worry or doubt yourself.”

Caitlin shook her head. “It’s not you. I’m trying to be better about it. There’s just this nagging feeling in my chest that constantly pokes and prods at me. A better mom wouldn’t let Whitley eat chicken nuggets all the time, it says. Adam’s sister would never let her have so much chocolate. You should do this, you should do that. It’s exhausting.”

A single tear escaped from the corner of her eye, rolling down the apple of her cheek. With my thumb, I reached out to wipe it away. Then I cupped her chin with the same hand, lifting it.

“For what it’s worth, I think you’re an incredible mom. And it’s not just me who thinks that. All of our friends think you’re amazing. Ellison really looks up to you, too. You’ve raised an amazing little girl all on your own. That speaks for itself, Cait baby.”

“I just—” she started to say, but I cut her off, sealing my lips against hers.

Her eyes fluttered shut, opening slightly when we finally broke the kiss.

“What was that for?”