Maren pulled Juni into her arms and held her tightly. Juni hugged her back. One little hand patted Maren’s shoulder. “Don’t cry. I’ll stay with Aunt Arden and Uncle Kyle and Mac and Camo.”
Maren laughed through tears. “And Camo.”
Juni pulled back and looked at Colin. He crouched to her level because his knees had apparently decided this child owned them now.
“Colin.”
“Yes, ma’am?”
“You have to bring Mama back.”
Mama.Maybe now Maren will understand what she means to Juni.
“I will,” he said. “I will protect your Mama and bring her home.”
Juni narrowed her eyes. “Pinkie promise.”
He held out his hand. His pinkie looked enormous next to hers.
“Pinkie promise.”
She hooked her little finger around his. This was not a kid’s game. Not anymore. This was as sacred an oath as he’d ever given.
Colin held Juni’s gaze. “I’ll bring her back.”
Juni nodded once, satisfied. Then she leaned forward and hugged him.
He closed his eyes for the briefest second as he wrapped his arms around her. She smelled like horse, sunshine, and the strawberry shampoo Maren had bought for her in town.
She’s not yours.The old memory of Lindsey saying those words, hand on her belly, came roaring in.
I wanted that baby so badly I’ve been walking around closed off to the world.
I didn’t want Juni, but she chose me.
And God help him, he was choosing her right back.
Juni pulled back, studied his face, then patted his cheek, too. He realized it was wet. “Are you okay?” she asked.
His throat was tight as he nodded. “I’m okay, Junebug.”
Then he did something that made everything truly okay. He put his arms around both Juni and Maren and pulled them close. Maren hugged him back and so did Juni.
When Colin and Maren finally stood up, Mac cleared his throat. “Well, while you two are off doing boring grown-up stuff, Juni and I have a very full schedule.”
Juni turned. “We do?”
“Oh, yes. First, we have to check on Pretzel. Then, there are more tea parties. Then we have to convince Aunt Arden to make more cookies for the tea parties.”
Juni looked at Arden, hopeful.
Arden nodded solemnly. “I can be convinced.”
Juni considered this. “Chocolate chip?”
“You got it.”
“Okay.” Juni looked back at Maren. “You can go now.”
