“It’s possible,” Lana mused. But Sly was so attractive that she was sure she’d have remembered him. “Let’s change the subject. Would you mind if I asked you a few questions about adoption? From the adoptee’s point of view.”
“Not at all. What do you want to know?”
“What was it like for you to be adopted?”
Appearing to be deep in thought, Dani was silent a moment. “Losing our mom and then our father when I was so little was rough. I was the baby and the only girl, and my parents and my brothers spoiled me rotten. Then suddenly everyone I loved was gone. I hated being separated from my brothers, but as minors, none of us had a say in what happened. I was so happy when Sly and Seth returned home to find me.”
“But Seth left again when he was seventeen, right?”
Suddenly somber, Dani nodded. “He dropped out of high school, jotted a goodbye note, and just took off.”
For a moment, she stared into space at something only she could see. “Neither Sly nor I has heard from him in ages, but not for lack of trying. The postcard came from California, but we never knew exactly where. He could be anyplace. He’s not on social media, either.” Her shoulders slumped and she let out a heavy sigh. “Seth has washed his hands of both of us, and I’m not even sure why.”
Lana couldn’t imagine having a sibling who refused to stay in touch. “That must be hard for you.”
Her new friend nodded. “I try not to think about it.” She fiddled with her fork. “Back to the adoption. I was six when I went into foster care. It was a relief to have a place to go. Big Mama was a good foster mom, but what I really wanted was areal mother. It turned out she’d always wanted a daughter, so ours was a match made in heaven. By the time I was eight, I had my ‘real’ mother.” No traces of solemnity now. “Not that it’s always been roses. Big Mama likes to do things her way, and I prefer my own way. We butt heads a lot, but I know she loves me. And I adore her.”
Lana’s heart ached with the need to share the same deep love with her own child. “Did Sly mention I’m converting my guest bedroom into a nursery?” The night before, she’d put the final touches on the mural. “Now all I’m waiting for is the crib and changing table to arrive. Once I get them assembled, I’ll be ready for a baby.”
“That sounds exciting.”
“It is. Thanks for not lecturing me about jumping the gun and spending all my spare time and some of my savings when I’m not even sure I’ll get this baby.”
“Who would possibly put you on such a downer?” Dani asked.
“My mother. She’s against what I’m doing. Not adoption per se, but adopting as a single mom. She believes running my own business takes up way too much time for me to raise a child, especially when I’m on my own.”
“Hey, if Big Mama raised me and managed her restaurant successfully, I don’t see why you can’t do the same thing.”
“Exactly. I painted a mural on the wall, and it turned out well. I’m hoping that if Sophie comes over, I can impress her with it. I so want her to pick me to adopt her baby.”
“Inviting her over—that’s a great idea.”
Lana nodded. “Credit Sly for that. After he saw the mural, I was painting, he?—”
“Hold on. My brother has been to your house?”
“Last Saturday, but he didn’t stay long.” Just long enough to make her head spin.
Dani’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s not like him to drop by without phoning or texting first. What’s wrong with that man?”
“I asked him not to call, and I guess he listened.” Lana could count on one hand the number of men who’d really listened to her in her life. Her father, the minister when she’d needed counseling after Brent had left, a single dad or two at the daycare who asked for advice about their kids, and Sly.
The more time she spent with him, the luckier she counted herself. He was considerate and warm, he listened, and he kissed like a dream. She was sorry the lawsuit prevented her from getting to know him better.
“That day at Big Mama’s, he really impressed Sophie,” she said. “When she mentioned something about wanting to see him again, he offered to come over if—no, when—she visits.”
“Sly did that? He’s super busy at the ranch right now, so that’s pretty amazing. Have I mentioned what a great guy my brother is?”
“Oh, once or twice.” Lana laughed.
But Dani wasn’t smiling, she was dead serious. “Are you interested in him?”
“After my divorce, I’m still a little gun-shy. Besides, right now, I’m focusing on the adoption.”
“So? Sophie isn’t due for months yet and you can’t just sit around, waiting. Occasionally, you have to go out and have a little fun. Sly’s fun. But you danced with him, so you’re already aware of that.”
He was more than fun, a lot more. But Lana wasn’t going to share that with his sister. “He has a bit of a reputation.”
