He turned to Lia with a questioning expression. Her eyes were shiny again, but she didn’t cry. She just nodded.
So he held her hand while the doctor stitched her up. Because they were in this together now.
For good.
Gard didn’t lether be alone for even a second. If he went to go check on Dani, he made sure Sammy was by her side. Eventually, Lia got cleared to be released, and Gard took care of everything.
She’d fielded texts from Franny, since Royal had clued her friend into what had happened. But since Lia was exhausted, she didn’t want any visitors. Any fuss. She just wanted to go home. Gard and Sammy could stay if they wanted to, but she wanted her bed and sleep. Rest.
She dozed in the back seat of Gard’s truck, loopy and fuzzy from the painkillers, assuming they were heading for HopeTown. When she blinked her eyes open, she realized they’d arrived.
Not at her house, but his.
He came around to the passenger side and helped her out while Sammy rushed up to the front door and unlocked it.
“What about Dani?” Lia asked.
“She has to stay a little while longer in the hospital. She wanted me to take Sammy home, try to get her to rest some. I couldn’t argue with that. I’ll go back in a few hours. If she’s not released later today, we’ll figure something else out.”
When he saidlater today, Lia realized it was morning, and the sun was starting to rise as she walked into Gard’s house. The sky was a kind of glowy shade of pink, pretty and…hopeful.
“Why don’t I make you something to eat,” Sammy said when they helped her inside.
Lia’s stomach wasn’t up for it, thanks to the drugs, but more, she thought of that horrible cheese sauce the last time Sammy had been in that kitchen. She wouldn’t be able to choke down a bite today. “I think I just want to sleep. You should sleep too, sweetheart. We all should.”
“Okay. You can sleep in my bed! I have fresh sheets. I’ll go get everything ready for you.” Sammy practically ran down the hall.
“Not quite what I had in mind,” Gard grumbled. “But she’ll be happy being able to fuss over you.” He smiled at Lia and Lia could only stand there feeling so absolutely overwhelmed.
He was just such a good guy. A good uncle or guardian or whatever. A good everything. And he was taking care of her and…
“I love you. I love her. I feel so lucky, even with stitches.”
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Maybe it’s just the painkillers,” he joked.
But it wasn’t.
A few tears spilled over her cheeks, and she sniffled. “You gave me a family, Gard.” This thing she felt like she’d never really had, was suddenly…real and hers. One she’d made. One she’d fight to keep.
He stroked a gentle hand down her cheek, wiping the tears away. “You helped make us a family, Lia.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.
Lia knew it wouldn’t be smooth sailing from here on out—Dani would have to go to some kind of recovery, and Sammy would need to deal with that and what had happened to her.
But they were a family now, so theywoulddeal.
No matter what.
Epilogue
Sammy’s sweet sixteen party wasalmostas fun as Sarabeth’s had been six months earlier, at least in Sammy’s estimation. She wishedshehad a ranch and horses like Sarabeth, but she’d settled for a cupcake-decorating party at the bakery, followed by a picnic out at the Hope Town park.
Gard had barbecued and a bunch of Lia’s friends had brought sides and Lia had made a wonderfully amazing birthday cake decorated with all of Sammy’s favorite things.
All of Sammy’s friends had come. Izzy and Sarabeth, a couple kids from the debate team, and a girl from her English class.
And Mom. Who was currently sitting next to Lia while Sammy opened her presents. Mom and Lia got along really well, and every time Sammy saw it, her heart felt too big for her chest. It was like…all the bad stuff last year had led to all this really good stuff.
They’d all agreed that it would be best if Sammy stayed with Gard while she finished high school. With her rehab done, Mom was living on her own for a little bit so she could really focus on getting better.
